10 Failed Transfers That Would Have Changed English Football

5. Kenny Dalglish To West Ham United

Kenny Dalglish has already appeared twice on this list in his role as manager of Blackburn Rovers, but in his playing days he was the subject of a failed transfer to West Ham United. Had things been different, the Celtic and Liverpool legend might have turning out for the Hammers instead. It was 1966. England had just won the World Cup with a side including West Ham heroes Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst, and Hammers boss Ron Greenwood wanted to build on that momentum. On the lookout for new signings, he invited a young Scottish schoolboy international down to London for a trial. The short, slight, fair-haired forward had undoubted skill but was deemed "too lightweight" for English top flight by Greenwood. He also had an unsuccessful trial with Liverpool in the same year. Young Dalglish returned to Scotland signed for Celtic (although he supported Rangers) and flourished in Glasgow, becoming a legend for the club before joining Liverpool to replace the outgoing Kevin Keegan, as the club sought to rectifty their mistake of '66. Often referred to as the club's greatest ever player, it's fair to say West Ham's loss was Celtic and Liverpool's gain. As Dalglish spearheaded a successful Liverpool side in the 70's and 80's, the Hammers slid into mid table obscurity. As disappointed as he might have been at the time, it's probably safe to assume Dalglish doesn't wonder about what might have been. West Ham fans of a certain age still might, though.