Neville Southall
 TOWARDS the end of the 1980s, it was widely suggested that 'Big Nev' was the best goalkeeper in the world. He has also played more times for Everton than anyone else in their history, racking up an amazing 751 appearances. Most importantly of all, Southall was between the posts for the most successful spell in their 127-year history. He was a perfectionist and in 1985/6, he collected the Football Writers' Player of the Year award. Maggie Souyave BRITAIN'S hockey player of the year in 1990 at the age of 37, Souyave had a 17-year career in the sport. She won the World Cup in 1975, two years after her debut. The PE teacher at Merchant Taylors' in Crosby was the driving force behind the highly successful Hightown side of the 1980s and was later honoured by the Princess Royal when she was named best coach in women's hockey. Beth Tweddle BARELY 20, Beth Tweddle is already one of Britain's most successful female gymnasts. Worryingly for her competitors, she is only going to get better! Beth will remember 2003 as the year she entered the world stage of gymnastics. Claiming bronze at the World Championships, she did the same at the European Championships after striking gold at the Commonwealth Games a year earlier in Manchester. An outstanding achievement for a girl who took to the gym at the age of seven. Ron Yeats COLOSSUS. That was the name given to Yeats by his mentor Bill Shankly. Indeed, Yeats was the awe-inspiring leader of Shankly's first great Liverpool side. The 6ft 2in giant was signed from Dundee United in 1961 and had already won promotion and a first division title when he became the first Liverpool captain to lift the FA Cup in 1965. An old fashioned centre-half, Yeats won only two caps for Scotland, yet made 450 appearances for Liverpool. Alex Young WORSHIPPED by Evertonians, Alex Young was a hero of the blue half of the city. The deep-lying centre-forward signed from Hearts in 1960 and is still revered by fans today. A silky playmaker, he was always one step ahead in the mind. His partnership with Ray Vernon was the scourge of top division defences and in 1953 Young scored 22 goals on his way to picking up a first division winners medal. In 273 appearances, he returned 87 goals and was also an integral member of the 1966 FA Cup winning party. What do you think? Who would you include in your list of Merseyside's most influential sportsmen and women? Have we missed out some of the unsung heroes and heroines who have done so much to shape our sporting heritage? Let us know BY E-MAIL: sport@dailypost.co.uk BY FAX: 0151 330 5091 BY POST: Daily Post sports desk, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB
Merseyside's greatest sporting achievers - part I
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