FORMER Liverpool Youth scout Jim Aspinall, the man who discovered ex-Anfield heroes Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler, has died.
Aspinal l, who also helped uncover the talents of Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard, retired last year from Liverpool's Youth Academy, where he was Recruit-ment Director.
Tributes to him were paid at last night's club annual meeting at Anfield by both club chairman David Moores and manager Gerard Houllier.
Following McManaman's man-of-the-match winning performance for Real Madrid in the 2000 Champions League final, Aspinall proudly recalled the night he discovered him.
He said: "I first saw Steve as an 11-year-old playing at Goodison in a school's match. He played that night the way he played in the final.
"When I saw him I couldn't get hold of his dad quick enough, to get Steve to sign for us."
Joining McManaman as the Reds' most influential and celebrated performer of the nineties was Fowler.
Aspinall won the much-coveted seal of approval from then boss Kenny Dal g l ish, who was "amazed" on his first sighting of the Toxtethborn striker.
"'Where did you get him?' he asked," after Aspinall embarked on the long journey to seal Fowl-er's coveted signature.
"I had to be round at his house all the time. I was virtually camped out there, speaking to his mum and dad, while his gran made me tea.
"Everton were interested as well and I was terrified he would sign for them.
"I couldn't rest, but I got a call from his dad saying he would sign for us and we sent a car round to pick them up and bring them straight to Anfield to sign."
