Wrexham are used to big transfers during the Ryan Reynolds-Rob McElhenney era, but none were quite as headline-making as a deal for Liverpool legend Ian Rush.
The Welsh side signed one of Britain’s greatest ever goalscorers in a surprising move in 1998, but even more shocking was the fact he didn’t find the net once for them.
Rush is one of the greatest strikers to ever do it, so it was a no-brainer for Wrexham to sign himGettyRush is best remembered today as Liverpool’s record scorer with a jaw-dropping 346 efforts in an Anfield career that saw a mammoth five league titles, two European Cups, three FA Cups and five League Cups during one of football’s most glory-filled stints.
With such a reputation, it was fair to expect a lot from Rush on his glorious return home to Wales, even at the age of 37 when he landed back in Wrexham.
However, things soon went very wrong indeed as he arrived from Newcastle United.
Rush arrived to much fanfare, actually signing as a player-coach, ready to make this his last step before retirement and a full-time move to the dugout.
Explaining why he picked the then third tier side, he said in his first press conference: “You can actually see a light at the end of the tunnel. They have a good team and they’re a good bunch of lads as well.
“They’re the first Welsh club I’ve played for and I want to give back to Welsh football, they helped me along the way.
“But I’m here most importantly for Wrexham to get back into Division One.”
Then-manager Brian Flynn was even more excited about his new centre forward and assistant coach.
“It’s a major boost for everyone, he’s caused a buzz obviously,” the manager said. “He is a legend of world football in anybody’s terms and even though he’s in the twilight of his career we’re delighted he’s come to us.
“He’s had all his success as a player because he’s a team player, he’s never been an individual out on the field, his main success – even though he’s scored so many goals – is that you ask anyone who’s played with him and he’s a great team player, that’s what he’s like here, he’s one of the boys, not a superstar.
AllSportRush spent most of his Wrexham spell in the dugout or in midfield[/caption]“He’s a winner, his record’s phenomenal and he can pass all of those experiences onto our young players.”
Rush’s first game oddly saw him run out at the Racecourse Ground to the tune of Three Lions, the unofficial anthem of Wales’ international rivals England.
That was all quickly forgotten when he bagged an assist on his debut against Reading, and he looked a class apart.
Everyone in attendance was sure a hatful of goals would be forthcoming, but remarkably, not a single one was scored by Rush in their colours.
The Denbighshire native would eventually make 27 appearances without getting on the scoresheet, often playing in midfield as Flynn desperately tried to make the best of his talent.
Yet the following summer, Rush moved to Australia as he finished his career at Sydney Olympic.
Rush will likely never be beaten as Liverpool’s record scorerBut wait, there’s more. What about his burgeoning coaching career that he started in his player-coach role at Wrexham?
Flynn was hopeful it would be a good one, commenting: “If his career in football management and coaching is half as successful as his football career then he’s going to be one of the best managers and coaches that Wales has ever produced.”
Rush on his part was already aiming for the top, explaining that working under the best at Liverpool had put him in the perfect position.
“If you can’t learn from Bob Paisley, Ronnie Moran and Kenny Dalglish you’ve got no chance,” he said.
“You say things to players here that Kenny said to me and it does install something, they may not realise now but later on they will.
“People think it’s easy to just go and talk to the players at half time and after but it’s not, I’m getting a chance, taking the reserves as well, to have my say and become more confident and ready in case something else comes along I’ll be ready to take it.
“I’ve always said that if I’m going to be a manager I’d like it to be at a club I played for and that includes Juventus as well, you should always have something to go back to and I’d like to be manager of Wales one day, but if I’m ready or not only time will tell.”
Time did tell, as Rush only coached his first ever side Chester City after his Wrexham learnings, lasting one season with a record of 14 wins, 12 draws and 15 defeats.
Now a media personality and regularly seen representing Liverpool as an ambassador at Anfield, thankfully Rush is best remembered for his incredible playing days.
But if Juventus ever do decide to call, we’re sure he’ll pick up.
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