Well he’s finally gone. Peter Crouch’s eventual move to Portsmouth was not as big a drawn out saga as Gareth Barry’s or Cristiano Ronaldo’s seem to be but nevertheless the transfer did seem to rumble on. Firstly, I’m sure I speak for many thousands of Liverpool fans in thanking Peter for the last couple of years and his fantastic contribution to the cause.
I’ll certainly miss him and I think his transfer will go down with Liverpool fans as one they did not really want to see happen. But everyone can understand his desire to play regularly and no-one will bear him any ill will. Unfortunately for Peter his last season has seen him compete with a player that not many players in the world could dislodge. As positive as Fernando Torres’ impact has been this season it has also brought about a negative spin off in the ultimate departure of Crouch. And I think Peter Crouch understands that he will only have ever been second fiddle to Torres.
Still, things always move on so dynamically in football and I’m sure (hope!!) Crouchie will look back on his time at Liverpool with fondness. I remember being on holiday in Cyprus when I got talking to a fella sun bathing by us and one of the first things he said to me was “what do you think of your new centre-forward”. At the time I had only seen Crouch from a distance so to speak but did remember how he played so brilliantly for Southampton against us the previous season. I replied with a “jury still out” comment and asked him if he was a Saints fan. He said he was a Villa season ticket holder and he went on to say that there was only two ex-Villa players that had gone back to Villa Park and got a welcome standing ovation from the Holte End when they returned with another club. One was Gordon Cowans and the other was Peter Crouch. That spoke volumes really and is a testament as to how highly fans from all his previous clubs rate him.
His first Liverpool goal was a long time coming and it was such a flukey massive deflection against Wigan at the Annie Road End that gave him his first goal after about 19 games but who cared and how he and the fans enjoyed it. To be fair his goal return since then has been very impressive and I’m sure he will go on to be huge hit with Portsmouth.
Peter Crouch will be missed and I look forward to his return to Anfield so the fans can say “goodbye” properly. Good luck Peter.
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