SHANKLY'S IDOLS

Shankly was (and still is) admired and emulated by many in the world of football. However, he had some of his own 'heroes' too: Preston born Tom Finney was capped 76 times for England, scored 30 goals, was credited 50 assists and awarded 'Footballer of the Year' in 1954 and 57. Shankly quoted 'Tom Finney was the greatest player that I ever saw...without a doubt.' Commenting on other greats like Stanley Matthews, George Best, Johann Cruff, Eusebio and the hungarian Ferenc Puskas, he said that none of had more control over a football than Finney; when he had the ball it was his and his only.

Jock Stein and Matt Busby of Celtic and Manchester United respectively, although contempories, were good friends and greatly respected by Shankly and they would often converse about players and tactics. Bill was one of the first to congratulate Stein in Lisbon 1967 when Celtic lifted the European Cup, and likewise for Busby the following year. Although at the time Bill would never admit it, he marvelled at the Leeds team of Don Revie, regulary phoning him up on a Sunday morning to remind of how good Liverpool were and how poorly Leeds played (even if they had won). Psychology played a big part of Shankly's preparation and training, yet he was never arrogant and got away with it through his wit and humour.

Brian Clough was compared to the 'rain in Manchester' by Bill, implying that occasionally God stopped it raining there but he could not stop Clough! He also told a reporter that when Brian Clough talks you should 'pin back your ears': a massive compliment for the young manager at the time. Clough won the prized European trophy twice with Nottingham Forrest in 1980 and 81, and is considered by many to be the best manager that England never had! Clough looked up to Shankly and could be just as frank and witty with his remarks; 'If a player said to Bill Shankly 'I've got to speak to my agent' Bill would have hit him, and I would have held him while he hit him!'.