An elite panel comprising Rick Parry, Alan Hansen, Phil Thompson, Ian Callaghan and Brian Hall have spent the last eight months forming Liverpool Football Club's first Hall of Fame. The jury was limited to just two players per decade. This week ROB BRADY and SCOTT McLEOD focus on the duo representing the club from 1940 to 1950 - Albert Stubbins and Jack Balmer.
JACK BALMER Born: 6/12/1916
Birthplace: Liverpool
Other Clubs: Everton, Collegiate Old Boys
Liverpool appearances: 312
Liverpool goals: 111
Honours: Division One Championship 1946/47; Lancs Senior Cup 1945/46. 1946/47; Liverpool Senior Cup 1935/36, 1936/37, 1945/46, 1946/47, 1947/48.
International honours: None JACK BALMER was the first player in Football League history to score a hat-trick of hat-tricks. It was that kind of attention-seeking statistic which was needed if you were to make your name in a side littered with talented forwards. And in the late 1940s, the Reds had no shortage of such players. That is reflected by the fact the two men nominated from the decade to join Liverpool's Hall of Fame were the clubs striking duo. Balmer and Geordie Albert Stubbins were a formidable combination in a team that included the great Billy Liddell. It is testament to Balmer's talent and character that he was also the skipper of that team, a side which lifted the Division One championship in 1947. It was during that season that the Liverpool-born Balmer netted his famous hat-trick of hat-tricks, scoring three times in three consecutive league matches. That feat earned him super hero status on the Anfield terraces. Balmer was from good footballing stock. But they had earned their money on the other side of Stanley Park. Before World War One, two of Balmer's uncles were regulars in the Everton side, playing as right and left backs. It was no surprise then when the talented young Balmer signed up with the Blues as an amateur. But before he could establish himself at Goodison, Liverpool pounced. His firstteamcareer began in 1935. After the war, he returned from duty to join a Liverpool side which set about making up for lost time. Balmer took up the vice-captaincy left by Tom Cooper, who was killed on des-patch duty during the war, and in the first season after the end of hostilities inspired Liverpool to glory. His impact was phenomenal. He played in 39 of the club's 42 league games and scored 24 goals, matching Stubbins' total despite his partner being more of a natural goalscorer. He made the most of his skill and power from the inside-right position. Those attributes were never more prominent than in those three fateful matches, netting three against Portsmouth at Anfield, four on an away trip to Derby and another three when Arsenal visited Liverpool. When Liverpool travelled to Molineux to face Wolves on the final day the title was still up for grabs. Wolves were the division's top scorers and had a chance of lift-ing the title themselves. Balmer scored the opening goal of the game, as the ECHO reported: "It was a picture goal that should be drawn and framed and hung in the dressing room." Liverpool went on to win 2-1. Balmer's place among the greats was secured. His Anfield career ended in 1951. He became a trainer for the club until 1955 and later established a business in the city. He died on Christmas Day, 1984. | 
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