These pages belong to you. They contain the feedback that many of the readers of shankly.com have sent over the years, since July 1997, that this site has been online.
There are many moving personal reminiscences here from ordinary people who made contact, however briefly, with an extraordinary man.
We have enjoyed receiving every single one of them. Keep sending, and we'll keep publishing!
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Keith Edwards
As a 8/9 year old my dad would take me to work sometimes, and we would go in the Eaton Rd cafe for breakfast. Shanks, who had retired by then, would be sitting in there and would come right over and keep us there for ages, him talking, us listening. About 4 years later my dad jumped out his van in Old Swan. He said it was lashing down, and who ran up to him and made him take the umberella cos of the rain but Bill."You have not been in the cafe for ages" he said, again my dad protested about the umberella, but Shanks gestured for him to shut up and said "Son, you work too hard and I can go home now and dry off, you still have to work all afternoon. Besides, a few years ago you told me the only mistake I have ever made since coming to Liverpool was resigning. So you just resign yourself to the fact that I'm right again and get under the fucking thing."
He then spent another 20 mins getting wet while talking football. My dad said he could see people looking at him thinking why he did not offer Shanks his brolley. At the end of the conversation my dad handed Bill his brolley back and an old lady, walking past at the time told my dad he should be ashamed of himself. Mr Shankly walked away laughing his head off.
I now live in Australia, and the footy team I play for has a trainer/coach who has been at the club for years. He is a mad red, 65 years old and everyone knows him by one name only. SHANKS.
This is a legend that will never die.
You have a great site. Keep up the good work.
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Mark Thomason
My everlasting memory of "Shanks" was as a young boy attending an amateur boxing night at the Pirrie Labour Club in Liverpool. My father was on the door that night and Shanks was due to do the prize giving.
When Shanks arrived my father jokingly said that he had booked Shanks in for a three round exhibition bout at the end of the night , Shanks quick as a flash in that Scottish Burr replied "My fights don't last three rounds Son".
I suppose you had to be there, but that memory and the Man will live with me forever.
Thanks for a truly great site.
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Tom Jones
Congratulations on a Fabulous web site worthy of the great man himself. I was fortunate enough to get a cup final ticket of Bill in 1974, after a heartfelt plea to the great man from my lovely mum who died recently.
She is up there now thanking him for the many phone calls we recieved, sparked off as a result of the thank you letter we sent for the ticket.
He actually rang our house on a number of occasions thanking my mum for birthday cards, christmas cards etc she would send him.
I will never forget the occasion i answered the phone to him, the reds had just signed Kenny Dalglish, i asked Shanks what he thought of him 'GRREEAT player son', was the reply, not a bad judge was he!
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Steve Darby
Firstly an excellent site, well produced and of course with bias, a well deserved subject. I have been a professional player and Coach for the last twenty years in various parts of the world (USA, Bahrain, Australia, Fiji and currently Malaysia) and I have always tried to instill the Shankly philosophies in my players. I was fortunate enough to go to Anfield Road School and never missed a game in the 60s. First in the Boys Pen and then in the Kop. Days you cannot forget.
I was about to embark on my first overseas professional coaching job to Bahrain and I was at Melwood watching Liverpool train to get ideas. I was early and to my shock I saw Shanks running around Melwood. I plucked up the courage to speak to him as it was like meeting "God" I asked him for advice in my career.. His first words were..'the most important thing is to learn to make tea!! So go and make me one!!'
He then sat with me for about half an hour and he was just like the image. Unlike many of the Football legends I have met in my career he was truly everything he was supposed to be. My current team Johor won the 1998 Malaysian FA Cup and left the dressing room to"You'll never walk alone" Grown men are not supposed to have heroes, but if you love football and were brought up in Liverpool in the 60s you have to have shanks as a hero. His manner and lifestyle and philosophy of football proves that there are more important things in life than money.
Once again congratulations on a great memorial.
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Graeme Piper
Every day I'd catch a bus from Huyton to school in Widnes. But the attraction of missing it to watch the Reds train at Melwood just a mile or two sometimes proved a bit too strong. Liverpool were, and still are, everything.
One day, about the third or fourth in a row watching the Reds go through their paces, I asked Shanks for his autograph on the ball that I always took to school for the dinnertime matches. He looked at the uniform and asked why I wasn't in school. I have to say I lied to the Boss and he said: "You're no use to me or this club if you let yourself down, son. If you want to play here, then you don't cheat and you don't lie."
I never did it again, but sometime later, I did get a trial, put through my own net and nearly died.
Years after, while working for the Sheffield Star, the city's evening newspaper, I was at home in Liverpool. Shanks had passed away and the newsdesk rang to ask me to file a story. I told them that all I could hear were church bells. They never ran the piece, they didn't believe it. They never knew.
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Tony Moogan
I have been an adoring fan of the great man since the early sixties. My california license plate is 'shankly' it is my pride and joy having just acquired it recently. When I was sixteen I had a job on a building site on Utting Ave. not far from Anfield. Every morning at about 10am I would watch out for Bill to drive past in his red Viva. This went on for months without me getting the chance to speak to him.
An event happened which made me realise he was the real thing. After an away game in the midlands in 1964 myself and three of my mates ended up travelling behind the liverpool team bus on the m6 motorway, we had draped a flag with the words 'Liverpool the cream of Europe' on the bonnet of the car. One of my mates had just come up with the phrase and when Bill saw this from the team bus he went bananas, dragging the players to the back of the bus who were having a nice game of cards. Some of the players looked a bit bewildered and none as enthusiastic as Bill.
This incident made me realise how much enthusiasm he had for football and L.F.C. in particular . I did eventually get to speak to the great man at melwood when it was raining cats and dogs, Bill said 'this place is the worst in the world for bad weather' thats the way it was with Bill, it was either the best or the worst and no in betweens. L.F.C. and their supporters must be the luckiest people around, to have known and worked with such a man.
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Colin Watt
I know Ali got "Personality of the Century", but Shanks will always be number one in my book. My father was converted to the red faith (from Glasgow Rangers) in the mid 1960's by the power of this man.
Can I share a story with you.
My late Grandfather was a Liverpool fan all his life. Upon his retirement from the Docks in the late 1960's, he received his season ticket. He was shocked to find that the club had moved from his regular seat to one where he wasn't near the people he'd sat with for years, and where he'd get wet when it rained.
My uncle took him to Anfield to try and get his old seat back. He explained he had just retired after working down the docks as man and boy. The people in the ticket office were completely unsympathetic, telling him that his seat was no longer available.
On leaving the office, he noticed Shanks walking in. "Bill, Bill" shouted by Grandfather, and the Great Man came over. My Grandfather explained the situation about his retirement, his time down the docks (working every night during the blitz) and a lifetime as a Liverpool fan. Shanks told him not to worry, to hang on and he'd sort it out.
Five minutes later Shanks reappeared with the season ticket for my Grandfather's seat, and said "If you have any bother ever again, ask for me."
The man will always be number one in my book.
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Gerry Crute
On 12 July 1974 I was at school in Sandfield Park, right next to Bill and Nessie Shankly's house. When the rumour spread that Our Messiah had retired incredulity, denial, fear, and a whole host of other emotions ran unchecked through the classrooms. At the end of the day, a day of media frenzy, a group left St Edward's College, walked through the Park and climbed over the wall at the end of Sandforth Close and walked on up to Bill's purple front door. Wearing blazers to match, and summoning every ounce of courage, the bravest of our group knocked at the door.
Nessie answered and was asked "Is Bill there, please?" by the 12 year-olds assembled. The great man came out.
"Have you retired, Bill?"
"Aye, son. I have."
"Aah, eh, Bill."
"Aye, son?"
"Aah dont. Please, Bill."
"Aah, I'm sorry son."
And the moment ended with Bill signing his autograph on all manner of paper, though not our exercise books or we would all have been in trouble with masters at our rugby playing school who simply wouldn't have understood the significance.
Throughout the next couple of years, whereas you state that Bill visited Bellefield, which is at the other end of Sandforth Close, he was a very, very frequent visitor to our school. He was given permission by the headmaster to use the school's facilities, which were at the time light years ahead of any other school in the city, and we became almost blase about seeing Bill as we went to the gym, the baths, the weights room or elsewhere.
One day during a spring half-term holiday along with the rest of the school cross-country squad I turned up at the school at around 9.30, to find a game of football going on in the playground. Some local boys were playing there along with a couple of my teammates. Obviously I joined in and only then noticed a short haired older man, not resembling any of the teachers. When the ball went into play it was obvious that Shanks was playing too. I had died and was playing in heaven, and to make things better Bill was on my side. He spoke, you listened. He coached and you did as he said. And it worked, too. I have never played as well, and even when it was my turn to go in goal I performed out of my skin. A cross came over and I reached as high as I could and somehow managed to trap the ball against the 'bar', which was the underside of pillared shed some six foot or so off the ground. One of the other side charged into me. Not prepared to let down my side, most of all Shanks, I struggle to stop the ball from falling over the line. From nowhere Shanks arrived and saved the day. Pushing the boy away he took the ball out of my hands and congratulated me on a good save. He spotted the ball and took the free kick he had awarded himself. As the play developed up the yard he turned back to me and asked if I was OK. I stammered that I was and took a hefty pat of encouragement on my shoulders.
Bill said, "You're doing well, son", smiled and looked at me playing football in my athletics kit.
He cocked his head to the side and told me "Aye, you've got footballer's legs," and took off up the yard to put matters to rights elsewhere. I looked down at my legs, which were indeed very well developed as a result of running dozens of miles a week, and playing all sorts of other sports too. The ultimate hero had just paid me the ultimate compliment a 14 year old could receive. Training that day never took place. The master had no chance at all of getting us off the yard and into a run through Sandfield Park and West Derby. No competition. I was in ecstacy (as I am now writing this and remembering how good I felt for months afterwards).
I heard Bill speak in the Mountford Hall at the University of Liverpool shortly before he died. He said that the worst thing he had ever done was to retire. He said that his mind didn't want to be retired and he felt that he had to keep himself busy or he would shrivel up and die. I can't help thinking that maybe he should have been found a role into which he could have channelled his undoubted gifts, perhaps with children as I had benefitted from his undoubted skills that particular day when he made me feel like a king. Maybe we might have enjoyed his presence in this world for longer, and that would have been to everyone's benefit.
God Bless You, Bill. Always remember with extreme fondness. Never alone.
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Bradley Moore, Lichfield
Most days on the way to school we would greet Bill Shankly with a very reverend ''good morning Mr Shankly''; he would reply ''good morning boys'', his gruff voice sending shivers of excitement up our spine.
On the way home, we might be lucky enough to see the great man standing in his garden with his wife Nessie. Whether there, or not, we would always stare at his house as we walked past. If he was there we would ask for his autograph, ''of course boys'', and would present us with signed photos.
He started playing 'knock about footie' with us on a Sunday afternoon at Barnfield (now named The Bill Shankly playing fields). He played hard. I remember arguing, respectfully, that it was ''our ball'', but before I could finish he had taken the throw-in! Yes, every game was important to him.
Then the day, the dreaded day, he had retired! We couldn't believe it. We didn't want to believe it. Walking home from school with tears in our eyes, we bought the Echo. It was true. No homework was done that night!
One of the greatest days in my life was during a games time at school. A red track suited, silhouette in the distance, my name being shouted. Yes! In front of all my mates, Bill Shankly knew MY name and was calling ME over. He wanted to train on OUR playing field and he was asking ME!
A few years later, Bill was to remember us when we were training our Sunday League team at Barnfield, he came over and gave us a Liverpool team kit for all the kids.
How lucky I am to have met Mr Shankly - such a kind, gentleman.
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Dave Threlfall
I was the great man's paperboy during the 70s for 2 years.
My house backed on to Bellefield, some other team's training ground, and opposite was what is now Shankly Playing fields. He was open with the Blue fans as he was with everyone else. He would always stop and chat with them waiting for autographs at the entrance.
Quite a few mornings he'd be out when I arrived and he'd say hello and chat a bit.
All the stories that are told about him being a man of the people are completely true.
When he retired he walked allot and would often pass my house in Sandforth Road, 2 doors way from Bellefield Training ground. He would stop and chat to the blues supporters waiting for autographs.
If you said hello to him he would always stop and talk.
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Mike Whalley
Nice site, thanks for putting it up. It was true about Shanks and 5-a-sides, I played with Him as a kid on what's now Shankly Fields in West Derby, and the Great Man was no spring chicken back then but He was the fittest man I'd ever seen at the time! And obviously just being that close to Him was an honour. Anyhow the point is there was never a chance if Shanks picked you, that you were going to lose that day even if it got dark! Brilliant days.
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Rob Pearce
My dad had the dubious pleasure of being marked by the great Bill Shankly during a match between the Army and Navy in Malta in 1943.
Bill was visiting the island as a RN PT instructor, and a game was arranged between the two services. My old chap endlessly recounts the occasion when having been on the receiving end of several crunching tackles from the great Scot, (there was no love lost between the Navy and the Army, nor the English and the Scots)...
My pop put in a scorching shot from just on the edge of the 18 yrd box, which beat the Navy keeper and just brushed the upright missing the goal. Such was the ferocity of the shot that the ball went a good 35-40 yards beyond the goal. No comment like 'hard luck mate' from Shanks, no, apparently he turned round and loudly said in his dour Scots tone.... 'make him bloody fetch it'..
This is a true story!!
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Darren LFC
I've got a personal Bill story, when my dad was a nipper he went to one of his first games with my grandad and their was a load a commotion going on and people were rushing towards a car. After the commotion my dad asked why were all those people going mad and to quote my al fella "someone placed their hand on the top my head and said 'cos im here son'". My grandad then told him it was Bill Shankly. I can listen to my dad tell that story over and over again.
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Paul Tennant
We used to stand in the paddock right at the back in front of Shankly, a group of us were there regularly from the early sixties until it was all seating.
Shanks would always talk to us and it was funny hearing him talking under his breath about certain players. "blind alleys" "you'r going down blind alleys" he would say about Alan Hansen when he would venture across the halfway line. It was true, he would go in a straight line, never move from that line. He would always ask us how many derby tickets we wanted the week before the derby. He would then appear at half time and produce an envelope with the said tickets in.
A hand would come down from the directors box with the tickets, and another would be open waiting for the money. He would never let the tickets go until he had the money. A cagey scotsman.
One day he saw me and my mate outside and said hello, "have you no got a ticket" he said. We replied no we couldn't get one. He then took us through the main entrance past the commissionare and down the tunnel onto the pitch. He then walked us down the track to the place opposite the directors box where we used to stand. "ok guys, climb over and get up to your usual place" He then told us to go to the front entrance after the match and we would be invited to the directors/ players lounge after the game. We had a great time and will never forget the experience, a great, great man.
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Joy Bratherton
In December 1973 I travelled from my home in the midlands to Norwich to watch the match. Arriving there the night before I settled into my lodgings and it started to snow really heavily. The next morning I went down to the ground to see if the match was on, the turnstile gate was open and on the pitch were three men. I recognised Shanks, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan. I was only 17 but I wasnt going to miss this chance and walked on to the ground as bold as brass. Shanks welcomed me and thanked me for travelling so far on such an awful day. We spoke for what seemed like an age but it was probably only a few minutes. The moment stays with me today. Which is more than the result of the game does.
On the day I watched his funeral procession pass by all I could think about was that big smile and that warm genuine handshake.
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Russell Green
The anecdote about Shankly arriving in the dressing room with his shirt torn and his hair ruffled after his visit to the KOP. I was a young boy sitting on the Pulpit wall on the Kemlyn Road side of the KOP. I remember getting to the ground early and watching the kop fill up. I remember looking down and seeing a large gap appear in the crowd front and centre of the Kop about half an hour before the game. It was usually somebody relieving themselves or a scuffle. But then through the smoke haze, i could make out Shanks, arms folded across his chest. I will never forget the buzz that went around the crowd and the moment when shanks raised his hands aloft to an almighty roar before heading back to the dressing room. It still sends tingles down my spine.
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Cliff Marsden
It was May 1971 and I was 12 years old. ALL my relations, mum, dad, aunties, cousins , nan and grandad supported Everton. Naturally they brought me up as an Evertonian and took me to Goodison on many trips.
Despite this I never really felt I belonged, never felt at home. Then one day a girl who was the apple of my eye said she was going to see Liverpool come home from Wembley and would I like to go with her and her family?
"But they got beat didn't they?" I said, suit yourself she said. Anyway I went just to be near her and what a turning point in my life it turned out to be!
When Bill Shankly came out on the platform and addressed the crowd I knew I had found a messiah, a hero, a man who gave supporting a football team colour and depth and PASSION!
I got home and told my dad I wasn't going with him and my grandad and uncles to see Everton any more I was a Liverpool fan from now on! You can imagine how he reacted but it didn't matter, you don't get two Bill Shankly's in a century let alone a lifetime and I was hooked.
I now life in Newcastle but have a Kop season ticket and all my family still live in the 'pool so I don't miss out. Together with a mate (Phil Mooney) we started the NE Supporters club and called it "Spirit of Shankly" as a tribute to The Great Man. God Bless Him.
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Frank Beattie
I thought you might be interested in this anecdote from Bill's very early days. My mother and her two sisters were brought up in Glenbuck, where their father was the schoolmaster.
They were at the village station one day as was the lad they called Willie Shankly. It was a big day for him; he was off to Glasgow to play in a football match. Just as the train was pulling in; Bill screamed: `Ma bits (=boots); I''ve left ma bits at hame'. So he went running up the road to get them. Meanwhile, the train driver was persuaded to hold the train till he came back. Would a driver do that now? No chance.
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Brian Mowll
My wife Susan (nee Hamblet) was (I believe) the only girl working at LFC at the time of Bill Shanks and he was like a dad to her. She was very sad when he died. She used to pop-in to the boot-room for a nip of guinness and a chat with, (I think) Bob Paisley. She used to accompany the team on some of their fixtures in the early 60's and has some lovely annecdotes (like shanks's favourite 'rice pudding' joke).
Susan used to tell me that everytime there was rice-pudding on the menu in the staff canteen, Shanks would say to her "Susan, you should have some of that rice pudding. It'll put hairs on your chest!" Then he would go off in peels of laughter.
His other joke was "do you like cold rice pudding?" Answer: Yes. Reply: "Well can you come back later, it's hot right now."
All very tame stuff now, but it demonstrates his old-fashion sense of fun and innocence of the time.
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Gary Lord
Keep on telling the world about Shankly. This man made Liverpool Football Club.
I remember seeing him standing on the Kop not long after he retired (I was sitting in the Main Stand). He was clearly visible from a distance because the crowd had made space for him, forming a circle around where he was standing. The respect was immense.
His achievements and charisma will always be remembered as long as Liverpool Football club exist.
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Ralph Robinson
Thanks for a great site that brings back many memories of watching Liverpool before moving to Canada in 1979.
My personal favourite will always be the final game of the 73 season, after getting into the city centre at around 11.00 p.m. the night before and only having enough money to get back to Middlesbrough and into the game the next day I found myself walking around Anfield all night with my wife to-be. I can still feel the cold damp night air as we tried sleeping under one corner of the Kop, it was indeed a long night but worth every minute. The next day we were in the great Kop watching our beloved Liverpool clinch the Title.
But the biggest highlite of all was Shanks standing in front of the Kop just a few yards away from us saluting the crowd, that picture will forever stay etched in my mind.
Thanks Shanks.
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John Martin
My Shanks anecdote concerns the aftermath of the never to be forgotten first European Cup win in 1977 (when it really was the EUROPEAN CUP). On the Friday following the Final in Rome Tommy Smith's testimonial match took place at Anfield between Liverpool (or at least those members of the squad who could stagger onto the pitch after the celebrations of the previous 48 hours) and, I think, an England XI. Needless to say the ground was packed as the European Cup was to be paraded. What a party!
From a personal point of view things got better because through the good offices of my best mate I watched the game from the Directors' Box and, of course, had access to the Trophy Room after the game. I unashamedly caressed the European Cup and the League Championship Trophy (which we all felt was ours in perpetuity in those days) and wallowed in the success of MY club.
Looking across the room I saw the great man standing in typical pose (immaculate suit, white mac - unbuttoned of course, hands thrust deep in pockets). What made the picture so sad for me was that he was standing completely alone. I had to speak to him but it took me a good 10 minutes to pluck up the courage to approach him. Eventually I ventured past him on my way to the 'Gents' and managed to blurt out to him "this is all down to you Mr. Shankly". "Thank you son" he replied. My comment to him was totally inadequate and the whole episode took only seconds to enact and yet I can't get out of my mind the image of Bill Shankly standing alone during what was at the time the club's finest hour. 25 years later I think it probably still is our finest hour.
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Pauline Robinson
I am writing to thank you for a brilliant website on my grandfather, Bill Shankly.
It has been a pleasure to read peoples views and really great to see the pictures of my sister Karen at the day out the Hellenic Branch of LFC supporters club.
In late November and early December I was privelaged to travel to Edinburgh and Preston to receive awards on behalf of my grandad. One for the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame and one for the Football Hall of Fame at Preston. I met some brilliant people, such as Norma at Edinburgh, Jim Baxters partner, Denis Law, Sandy Busby, Vicky Bremner and Barbara Dean, Dixie Deans daughter and Sir Bobby Charltons wife, Norma at Preston and I was extremely touched by the esteem people still held for my grandad .
Again thank you to every one for the wonderful stories and memories.
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Brian Howell
I love the Shankly web site. When I need inspiration or cheering up it's the place I go.
I first went to Anfield as a lad in the late sixties and spent a few seasons standing on my wooden box at the back of the Anny Road before being promoted to the Main Stand. When I think of those days - when we weren't winning that much but no one moaned like they do now - the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. They're doing it now! The smell of ale, hot pork pies swimming in fat, ciggies and chewies. The lads chucking the sweets into the crowd with pinpoint accuracy and giving back the change. The blokes walking around the pitch with the advert for boxing at The Stadium balanced on their shoulders. The singing. The crush. The comments and jokes and laughter. Old blokes having heart attacks and people fainting every game. The steam rising from the crowd. The rain - remember the storm at Gerry Byrne's testimonial?!
But back to Bill. These days, though still a red through and through, I go to watch Tranmere - because you can get a ticket and it's just down the road. When the Rovers are attacking, desperately needing a goal or when they're hanging on with minutes left, I always imagine Bill's face - and Bob's - I shut my eyes and see their faces. It's an inspiration - YOU CAN DO IT!!!.
I do it watching Liverpool on the telly too.
How can ordinary men have such a lasting effect on a person? But they weren't ordinary were they!
I attended a Variety Club dinner with my Dad in Leeds many years ago. It was in honour of Kevin Keegan. Bill and Bob were there. Bob actually sat on our table. How humble the two of them were. But I could see an aura around Bill in particular. He was like a messiah.
I'm 45 this year but I don't mind saying this is bringing tears to my eyes. And I haven't even had a pint yet!
Cheers lads. God Bless. Walk on.
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Bobby Sounds
Firstly may I take this opportunity to congratulate and thank you for presenting such a great website, I found the quotes to be pure brilliance mixed with such tongue in cheek humour that It's obvious that Shanks was before his time and left the party too early.
Anyway, back to my main point! My dad, when he was much younger than today, was a pretty good footballer. He is very much like Shankly in many ways in his behavior. When my dad was playing semi professional footie for various clubs he developed a reputation of being tough, energetic and reasonably skillful, so much so that he was approached several times by Everton which as you can probably understand was like being asked to sell your soul to the devil. He flatly refused.
Not long after Bill had started achieving some notoriety with Liverpool (before I had even started school) my dad took me to watch Liverpool train at Melwood, Bill to my surprise and absolute awe, knew my dad...He knew him and even knew of the previous Everton interest. Shanks started to sing my dad's praises to me, telling me what a good player he would have been in a Liverpool shirt and also emphasised what an opportunity the previous manager had lost. Bill gave me a glass of orange juice, telling me to eat lots of fish, meat, eggs and veg and to play as much football as possible. Maybe one day I'd get the call, but this time it would be a Liverpool rep calling. In adulthood I peaked at five feet and two inches, but that day and every time I think of Bill Shankly, I'll never be less than ten feet tall.
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Graham Hudson
I have an interesting Shanks "anecdote" from a time when Nessie opened the "Shankly Boot Room" at Leeds Road, Huddersfield's old ground. I'm Chairman of the HTFC Patrons Association but was managing this small room at the time. It was a couple of year before we moved to the McAlpine.
Nessie was being shown around a room which was being used for some low-key hospitality events and had been decorated in memorabilia including photos, old balls & boots, etc.
One display was of the Board minutes showing Bill's appointment as Manager and his wage.
"Is THAT how much he was on!!?" Nessie said in horror! So how much he was giving her is unknown! Her daughter was with her that day.
Nessie was a lovely lady.
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ken wooldridge
I had the privilege of meeting Bill Shankly on several occasions. The first time I met him he was in the canteen drinking tea at a formica topped table along with the apprentices and the young players. The first team squad and the second team squad were in their respective lounges having lunch. Bill Shankly invited myself to have a cup of tea and a long chat.
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Mark Daly
Bill Shankly lived near my school and one day after he retired he came along to give a fitness training session in the sports field. The last thing he said was indelibly imprinted on my young mind. "Remember lads, it disnae matter what sport ye play be it fitba rugby athletics or whatever, if ye believe ye can beat the other guy then ye can beat 'em, if ye think ye cannae then ye've nae chance." The man was a true legend.
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eddie harvey from liverpool
bill shankly will always be "Sir bill" to me how that man was never given a knighthood i will never know a great manager...a true man of the people. I grew up watching L.F.C. during the shanks era and remember as a young boy standing in the kop just after he retired and there standing next to me was bill himself he said he wanted to watch a game amongst his own people on the kop, everybody was coming up to him and shaking his hand, what a man!
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John Gregory
Great website worthy of the man it portrays. I have been connected with football all my life and although I am not a Liverpool fan I can remember being at Anfield just prior to the Shankly era and during it, what a transformation. I knew a bit about Bill from his days at Huddersfield, the five a side games went on forever or until his team were victorious whichever was the sooner. Shanks was the greatest manager of all time, sure he had success but his appetite for the game, his outstanding personality, his humour, his great knowledge of the game a voice that just commanded your attention. He was the most loved and respected manager of his time, by everyone, he did not have an enemy in the World and if ever a club and manager were made for each other then Liverpool and Shankly were the ones....
...Although I never met him I feel a close friendship with him somehow, I guess its because I so loved his attitude, not only toward the game but to life itself and above all his great wit. Also we should never forget how honest he was, a genuine and sincere man, a players man and a supporters man also. I myself am now 67 years of age, a young 67 I believe and I have both played and followed football for 62 of those years, I would have to say that whenever I think football which is often, Shanks always comes to my mind and how there will never ever be another one like him. Rest in peace Bill we love you and miss you and will never forget you.
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Kenny Bushnell
Glenbuck Son
1913-1981
In Glenbuck he was born
From an Ayrshire mine he did rise
The man who would change so many lives
With the Cherry Pickers he played the game
With Carlisle United he first found fame
At Deepdale with Tom Finny he did play
Seven caps for Scotland he was proud to display
As a manager new tricks to learn
To Carlisle United he did return
At Grimsby he cast his net
The Glenbuck son's destiny was set
Workington and Huddersfield he did run
No to Liverpool in fifty one
Eight years down the line
An historic day in December fifty nine
All would fear the famous THIS IS ANFIELD sign
Promotion in sixty two
Champions in sixty four
The Glenbuck son, Kopites did adore
Sixty five, to Wembley in May
The Glenbuck son took the cup away
Now Into Europe he lead his team
To be Champions of Europe was his dream
Cheated in Milan, all was doom and gloom
Now back home in his beloved boot room
The Glenbuck son would sit in a huddle
Seventy-three he won a league and UEFA cup double.
May Seventy-four back at Wembley once more
Malcom McDonald, what's the score.
July, the Kopites heads are down
The Glenbuck son has relinquished his crown.
September Nineteen eighty one
Rest in peace our Glenbuck son
December 1999 we celebrate his memory
Thank you to the, KING BILL SHANKLY
(Dedicated to Ness)
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