- LONDON. Nov 10: the llinnboya-nee stakes Bruce " •J Grobbelaar, the

Sreat ecceniric of British ■ soccer, has few peers, reports Reuter.

Even Paul Gascoigne, no shrinking violet, takes second place.

When obliged to wear a mask to protect a face injury this season, Grobbelaar. typically, chose one in the colours of the Zimbabwean flag.

Gascoigne. In a similar situation. settled for boring, plain white.

The Zimbabwean has long been a soccer showman — seemingly irrational, often acrobatic and occasionally impetuous.

. On the field Grobbelaar has provided conclusive proof to the claim of some that goalkeepers are crazy.

As English soccer authorities begin their probe into media allegations that Grobbelaar took bribes to throw key matches — allega tlons he has strongly denied — observers took stock of one of the game's characters.

Down the years, some marvelled. others cringed, at his Juggling and gymnastic antics.

He outraged the traditionalists and caused his defenders panic attacks with amazing sorties upfield.

But there (s no doubt Liverpool's brilliant record in the 1980s owes much to Grobbelaar who is still capable of pulling off the most stun

ning p^saves.

The Durban-born Grobbelaar. 37. made more than 400 appearances for Liverpool. ,

He had signed for the glamour English .club for 250,000 pounds sterling (400.000 dollars) in 1981 from Vancouver Whitecaps in- Canada .after starting his English career with lowly Crewe in 1979. He Joined Premier league side Southampton at the start of this season.

During a 13-year career, at Anfield, he won league championship medal in 1982. 1984. 1986 and 1988 and shared in League Cup success three years In succession from 1982-84.

Grobbelaar also collected English FA Cup medals in 1986 and 1989 and helped Liverpool to the European Cup in 1984.

In a long career, he has experienced soccer at both ends of the scale, from the opulence of Anfield to the African outback.

"In the army. I lived in the bush for weeks, so they put the luxuries of England into perspective. I know how lucky 1 am." he once said.

Grobbelaar. whose family moved to the former Rhodesia when he was a baby, did na tional service under the white minority government of Ian Smith in the conflict which ended with Zimbabwean Inde pendenee In 1980

Married to air hostgas Debbie, they have two young children Grobbelaar still has family and friends in

Ziambabwe. where he is affectionately known as the "jungle man."

Despite the eccentricities. Grobbelaar has many admirers, including former England manager Bobby Robson.

"Had Bruce been English he would, without'question. have won international honours during my time as England’s manager,” Robsop was once quoted as saying.

"Bruce isn’t simply an eut-standing goalkeeper, blessed with incredible agility. He also gives his team an extra defender. He read* the game like an outfield player,"

AFP adds from Harare: Soccer star Bruce Grobbelaar. facing allegations of having taken bribes to lose matches, will play In goal for Zimbabwe against Zaire in an African Nations’ Cup game In Harare on Sunday. Zimbabwean soccer officials announced Thursday, reports AFP

"As far as the-law is concerned he is innocent until proven guilty and ZIFA (Zimbabwe Football Asaocia tion) are awaiting his arrival with open arms." ZIFA chairman Leo Mugabe told The Herald newspaper

He said ZIFA would await the outcome of investigations being carried out by the British police and the English Football Association over allegations In The Sun newspaper that Grobbelaar .took a 40.000 pound (64.000 dollar) bribe to lose a Premier league game when playing for Liverpool last year.