Profile

Goalkeeper Robert "Doug" Rudham was on tour with the South African national team when he attracted Liverpool's interest. He was one of a number of players born in South Africa to have played League football for Liverpool. He signed for the Reds at a time when Liverpool didn't seem to have a regular first-choice 'keeper; three men (Rudham, Dave Underwood & Charlie Ashcroft) shared the duties during the 1954-55 season and Rudham even somehow managed to keep his place after conceding nine goals at Birmingham in December!

Doug did play in the first 17 league matches of the next season but lost his place to Dave Underwood after conceding four goals at Leeds in November. But when Underwood let in three at Fulham in April, Rudham was brought back for the final four games of the season. However, Tommy Younger was brought in from Hibernian during the close season and Doug made only two more appearances in 1956-57, only another three the season after that and just one in 1958-59.

When Younger moved on to Stoke, Doug was kept out by new signing Bert Slater but did regain his place after three league matches and played in the next 14, bringing his total of appearances in the Football League to 63. His last game came in a 2-4 defeat at Lincoln, after which Bert Slater won his place back.

Other Clubs:
Johannesburg Rangers, Johannesburg Ramblers