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Topics: Rory Delap, Liam Delap, Chelsea, Premier League, Ipswich Town
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Rory Delap, Liam Delap, Chelsea, Premier League, Ipswich Town
Chelsea striker Liam Delap hasn't attempted a long throw-in for more than a decade after he was banned from taking them following complaints.
If you're familiar with Stoke City and their spell in the Premier League under Tony Pulis, then you'll know about former javelin thrower Rory Delap and his ability to cause havoc with a long throw-in.
To put the deadly weapon into perspective, then-Hull City goalkeeper Boaz Myhill decided to kick the ball out for a corner rather than face a throw-in Arsene Wenger described as an "unfair advantage".
It was a tool Stoke used to their advantage. In fact, they scored 25 goals from Delap's throw across a four-year period.
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Speaking to SPORTbible about its origin, the former Derby defender explained: “I could always throw things from a young age, just throwing stones, cricket balls, golf balls, or whatever.
"I remember people going: ‘Wow, look how far he can throw things’. Then I joined an athletics club up in Carlisle. I was a pretty good runner, but my real strength was javelin, so I did javelin from 11, 12 to about 15, 16."
He added: “I then became county champion, and a few people were saying if I was to take it seriously, I'd have a chance, but football was my first love."
Funnily enough, Rory's son, Liam, was a keen javelin thrower himself growing up, and at nine years old, he started to cause havoc at junior level with his long throw-ins.
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A report from The Mail suggests the striker found "great success" from launching the ball into dangerous areas, but after parents complained that it "ruined" the game, he stopped using it altogether and hasn't taken one since.
Of course, that didn't stop Liam from progressing through the youth ranks at Derby and Manchester City, and this summer, he completed a £30 million move to Chelsea.
Speaking in his first interview with the club's media channel, the 22-year-old paid tribute to his dad, Rory.
"Some of my earliest football memories are watching him playing – and launching throw-ins – for Stoke at the Britannia." he beamed. "We tried to get to as many games as possible, and I had a great upbringing in that I was so close to it all.
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"It gave me that feeling of football early; it was incredible and something I wanted. But I knew it wouldn’t be easy, I had to work hard for it.
He added: "I owe both mum and dad so much. I’ve got a younger brother and sister, and while dad was playing, my mum was so important to balance us and make sure we got to where we are today. I can’t repay them enough, but I’m sure they are very proud and that is what makes me happy."