123: Glenn Hysen, Liverpool, Merlin Shooting Stars 1991/92

We’re taking on a request post today for another football nostalgia fan in the form of ShootingStars’ Rob. If you’re not already following his excellent page on Twitter you should rectify that for a daily dose of niche cards and blasts from the past. Today’s subject was in part selected due to the exceptional Liverpool kit he is donning but also because he sometimes flies under the radar despite his key role in the Reds’ domestic success in the 1989/90 season. We hope this does the job for you Rob. Apologies also to our friends at HTO Football for the delay with this one.

On the way back from his brother’s wedding in Barbados in August 2001 the former boxer Nigel Benn was chatting to some staff at Gatwick Airport when an opportunistic thief attempted to make away with his luggage. Benn sprinted after the culprit and, in the words of Sussex police, “made a citizen’s arrest” by sitting on the bag snatcher. Once the authorities had taken away their man Benn went back to his business and even stopped to take photographs with startled onlookers and holidaymakers. He stated to press shortly afterwards that the offender “obviously didn’t know who I am and did not see my name on the name tags”. A cautionary tale to all potential robbers in the future and one that probably could have helped the two burglars who attempted to break into notorious former Rangers, Everton and Newcastle United hardman Duncan Ferguson’s house earlier that year. Not only did the two men end up arrested and jailed for fifteen months but one ended up in hospital thanks to Big Dunc’s interventions.

The early years of the 21st Century must have coincided with something in the water as over in Frankfurt Airport former PSV Eindhoven, Fiorentina and Liverpool defender Glenn Hysen punched a man who had attempted to grope him in the toilets. The incident gained considerable media attention in his native Sweden with some outlets suggesting the nation’s former captain may have been the perpetrator of a homophobic assault. Suffice to say that this was not the case but more on that later.

Despite his childhood dream to be a fire fighter Hysen entered the family trade of football when he signed professional terms with IFK Goteborg in 1978. He was the fourth Hysen to represent the side, following his grandfather, great-uncle and father, and helped them win two Swedish Championships in 1982 and 1983. He was also instrumental in Goteborg’s victory in the 1982 UEFA Cup final over Hamburg and, after being named Sweden’s Footballer of the Year in 1983, moved to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven. His all-round ability proved to be a blessing and a curse in the Netherlands as he was often played in midfield and even up front during a two-year spell in which he scored twelve goals in 48 games and returned to Goteborg in 1985 where a further Swedish Championship and UEFA Cup victory were secured in 1987.

Hysen’s performances attracted the attention of new Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson but the defender turned down his advances to move to Serie A with Fiorentina. After two solid mid-table seasons in Florence a certain Scotsman once again came calling and Hysen was treated to a tour of Old Trafford and a buffet lunch (no word on how many prawn sandwiches were involved). However, negotiations stalled over the £300,000 transfer fee and by the time Ferguson had landed in Florence to rubber stamp the deal, Liverpool had swooped to bring Hysen to Anfield. Having already endeared himself to his new club’s fans by irritating United Hysen went one further on debut with a man of the match performance in a 1-0 Charity Shield victory over Arsenal. His first full season at the club ended in a First Division title as Hysen established strong partnerships with both veteran Alan Hansen and the youthful Gary Ablett.

He was chosen as captain of Sweden’s squad for Italia 90 but a disappointing campaign ended with three defeats. Back in England Hysen picked up another Charity Shield with Liverpool but the shock resignation of Kenny Dalglish and a career ending injury to Alan Hansen prevented the Reds from defending their league title. New manager Graeme Souness was keen to impose a new style on the Anfield side and clashed with a number of his charges, including Hysen, and, after a few minor injuries, the Swede was released on a free to GAIS in Gothenburg in 1992. After three seasons with the club he announced his retirement from professional football and moved into punditry in his homeland. Which brings us back to THAT incident in Frankfurt.

Six years afterwards Hysen appeared at Stockholm Pride to deliver a speech denouncing homophobia in sport. To assuage the crowd’s surprise at his appearance he stated “In order to finally flush the Frankfurt Airport punch down the toilet: it is not the case that I beat up a gay person. I categorically deny that,...I'm not proud that I took a swing at him, but I am proud that I have integrity and that I reacted.” He then challenged sporting bodies on how easy it would be for a young player to come out and be accepted, sadly an issue which is yet to be fully addressed in football, which was somewhat prescient as just five years later his son Anton, then continuing the family tradition at Usitkens, came out to the media. Hysen was vocal in his support for his son both in his capacity as a member of the side’s coaching staff and through his media commitments.

There is plenty to take away from Glenn Hysen’s life and career. If you’re planning on starting a footballing family dynasty then the four generations of his family who have made their livings through the beautiful game should serve as inspiration. If you’re planning a robbery or assault then it would be a good idea to avoid former professional athletes. Moreover, it’s always good to get both sides of the story before making a judgement.