Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterFour Four TwoGet the FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Five times a weekFourFourTwo DailyFantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterNo player has pulled on a Liverpool shirt more times than Ian Callaghan.The former Reds midfielders record of 857 appearances for has stood as the club record for almost 50 years and is very likely to last another 50.Yet the man who is synonymous with the club very nearly began his career across Stanley Park at their fiercest rivals.Article continues below You may like 'Im a lone campaigner for Everton and Celtic being the true and original partnership. I struggle with Liverpool and Celtic's 'You'll Never Walk Alone' love-in' Proud Toffee Andy Burnham reveals home-and-away Evertonian roots RANKED! The Premier League's top ten appearance makers James Milner breaks Premier League record - but has some way to go for his next milestone Callaghan on going against his family at LiverpoolSo even after all of these years, what does the title of Liverpools club record appearance holder mean to him?It means a lot, being a local lad, he tells FourFourTwo. Its not just the appearances, its what we achieved during that time.Get VIP Liverpool tickets HERE with Seat Unique!Seat Unique tickets at Anfield offer a fantastic matchday. You get premium padded seats in the new Anfield Road stand (Block AM5, front rows) and access to the Brodies Lounge for three hours pre-match. Enjoy street food, a complimentary half-time drink, a matchday programme, and entertainment, including a Liverpool legend appearance, making it a truly elevated experience.Read moreRead lessView DealThe first time a club wins a trophy, it means so much. I remember in 1965, winning the FA Cup for the first time was just unbelievable, then to do it again 12 years later to win the European Cup for the first time was a big highlight too.I started out as a 15-year-old lad who had the chance to go to either Everton or Liverpool and my dad, who was an Evertonian, said, Youre going to Everton, arent you?Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.At the time, Everton were a First Division club and Liverpool were in the Second Division, not going anywhere, so I could never have imagined what choosing Liverpool would lead to.So what was it that made him go against his fathers wishes and choose the Red side of the Merseyside divide?Id been to watch Liverpool when I was 13 and they had a Scottish player called Billy Little, who was an absolute legend, he recalls. They used to call them Littlepool, he was that good.I remember being in the boys pen in the stands and whenever Little got the ball, the excitement was unbelievable.So when I had to decide between the two clubs, I told my dad I wanted to sign for Liverpool instead of Everton. Im glad I stuck to my guns and think I made the right choice.TOPICSLiverpoolEvertonPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris EvansFreelance Writer
