Born: 12 March 1926

Born in: Liverpool

Died: 2 December 2007

Other clubs: Burnley (1949-59)

Signed from: Everton (youth)

Joined Liverpool: 1943 - Professional November 1944

Debut: 17 Apr 1948

Final appearance: 25 Sep 1948

Debut goal: 30 Aug 1948

Last goal: 30 Aug 1948

Contract until: 02.11.1949

Wartime: Apps / Goals: 17 / 7

League: Apps / Goals / Assists: 11 / 1 / 0

All Competitions: Apps / Goals / Assists: 11 / 1 / 0

Player Profile

Centre-forward Shannon made his debut for Liverpool towards the end of the 1947/48 season when he replaced the injured Albert Stubbins for the home fixture with Manchester City in April, one of only two matches Stubbins missed during that League campaign. Shannon was selected for the first ten games of the following season when Stubbins was unavailable because he went on strike, but was then himself replaced by Cyril Done. Shannon's only goal for Liverpool was the first in the 2-1 win at Sheffield United on 30 August 1948. Two years after joining first division Burnley Shannon came into his own as a deep lying inside-forward and was a regular in the side playing 102 games and scoring 31 goals. Following the retirement of Reg Atwell in 1954 he was moved to half-back where he featured for four years until his retirement in September 1958. Shannon made in total 281 appearances and scored 44 goals at Burnley where he is fondly remembered.

Shannon joined Everton as youth coach in 1959 where he stayed three years before being appointed as Billy Wright's assistant manager at Arsenal, serving the Gunners until 1966. As manager of Bury (1966-69) he swung between the Third and Second Division and as Stan Mortensen's successor at Blackpool (1969-70) he guided 'Pool to the second division title, but was sacked early on in the following season. 1971 signalled the start of his Greek adventure where he managed four clubs: PAOK (1971-74), Iraklis (1974-76), Olympiacos (1976-77) and OFI Crete (1977-79) as well as (1982-84). He also managed Norwegian club Brann (1980-82) in between his two stints at OFI Crete. Shannon returned to Britain in 1985 and was part of Luton Town's backroom staff from 1986-2001. 

Les Shannon passed away on 2 December 2007 and "You'll Never Walk Alone" was played at his funeral. Les is the father of Dave Shannon former Academy coach at Liverpool.