Ireland star Heighway wins another league medal with Liverpool

The Ireland winger has been given a medal for the 1980 season

Borussia Mönchengladbach full back Berti Vogts (l) challenges Liverpool winger Steve Heighway during the European Cup Semi Final 2nd leg match at Anfield on April 12, 1978 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)

Former Republic of Ireland international Steve Heighway is one of 14 ex-Liverpool players to be awarded a retrospective league championship winners’ medal by the club at special Anfield presentation

The late Joey Jones, who died in July, was posthumously recognised for his 13 appearances in the 1975-76 season.

Alan Kennedy, David Fairclough, David Hodgson, Jan Molby, Paul Walsh, Ronny Rosenthal, Terry McDermott, John Wark, Chris Lawler, Alec Lindsay, Colin Irwin, and Sammy Lee were also recognised for contributions to league championships in seasons when they did not meet the English Football League qualifying criteria.

Flying winger Heighway played 34 times for Ireland. Dublin-born, he moved back to England with his English parents at the age of 10 and earned a degree in economics and politics before his career in football. 

He already had four English First Division titles to his name, in 1973, 1976, 1977 and 1979, but made just nine appearances in Liverpool's 1980 title win, coming up short for a medal.

Kenny Dalglish presented the medals alongside Liverpool FC’s chief legal and external affairs officer, Jonathan Bamber, who said: “It was an emotional night for many and it’s a real honour to have been able to source and present league championship winners’ medals to our Forever Reds.

“Their role in winning one, or in (Wark’s) case two, of our 20 league titles deserves a medal not only to mark their achievement but also for playing such a significant part in our club’s decorated history for which we are immensely grateful.”