Ahead of Emlyn Hughes’ incredible memorabilia collection going up for auction, the family of the late Liverpool legend revealed how Bill Shankly accidentally gave him an unusual nickname.
As a Liverpool player, Hughes won four league titles, two European Cups, one FA Cup and captained the club on 335 occasions.
Playing 665 times in all for the Reds, the legendary skipper of Liverpool and England was a defining figure of 1970s football, before going on to become a well-known face on television.
Hughes was famously known as ‘Crazy Horse’ to fans, but he actually had a different nickname among the Liverpool squad.
Emlyn’s son, Emlyn Hughes (Jr), told This Is Anfield: “By the team he was actually called Edgar.
“Shanks was having a go at him one day and got Dad’s name wrong.
“So he turned round, he’s having a go at all the team and he shouted, ‘And you, Edgar!'”
“The players picked up on it from that.”
Watched by his teammates, Liverpool captain Tommy Smith receives the Player of the Year trophy from manager Bill Shankly, awarded by Inside Football magazine. Players were at Hendon for some light training ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup Final against Arsenal. 7 May 1971. PA Images. 1970s
Watched by his teammates, Liverpool captain Tommy Smith receives the Player of the Year trophy from manager Bill Shankly, awarded by Inside Football magazine. Players were at Hendon for some light training ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup Final against Arsenal. 7 May 1971. PA Images. 1970s
Hughes’ son and daughter weren’t actually aware of the alternative name for many years, until Emlyn’s son started hearing it shouted when playing in charity matches alongside his father and his former Liverpool teammates.
“I remember turning round to Dad and saying, ‘Why were you called Edgar?'” added Emlyn (Jr).
“He explained the story. It was a mistake by Shanks.”
Emlyn Hughes’ collection goes up for auction
Since Hughes passed away in 2004, his remarkable collection of memorabilia has sat in the children’s attic.
When sorting through his belongings, the family found a treasure trove of football history.
Among the artefacts were Hughes’ winners medals, his match-worn shirts from the European Cup finals and an extraordinary collection of kits garnered from fellow legends of the game.
Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona top, from the 1976 night that Liverpool drew 1-1 with the Blaugrana at Anfield, immediately caught the eye due to its bright yellow colour.
Emlyn Hughes, captain of Liverpool FC leads his side out at Anfield.
Emlyn Hughes, captain of Liverpool FC leads his side out at Anfield.
Liverpool progressed to the UEFA Cup final, where they won the trophy, thanks to their 1-0 win in the first leg at the Nou Camp.
Franz Beckenbauer’s white West Germany No. 5 shirt hung proudly next to the Barcelona kit. Hughes was given this one after England’s 0-0 draw in Berlin in May 1972.
Among countless others on the rack, there was also a George Best Northern Ireland top, a Kevin Keegan Hamburger SV outfit and Kenny Dalglish’s old Celtic hoops,
The entire assemblage, consisting of over 200 lots, is going up for auction with BUDDS on November 2, 2026 and is expected to fetch more than £500,000.