SEVENTIES

With the success of the mid-sixties, a new era of football dawned for Liverpool - the opportunity of European glory. Shankly revelled in the idea of world-wide status for the club and its loyal supporters; also spurred by Englands 1966 World Cup glory, and Celtic's and Manchester United's European Cup wins in 1967 and 68, respectively. Shankly wanted the same for Liverpool: so he set out to strengthen and adapt his team to suit both the national and continental styles. However, although still a top side, the late 1960's proved fruitless in way of silverware. It is testament to English football to say that this was a difficult period for any club to 'bring home' a trophy; Everton, Leeds, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Derby County and of course Liverpool all engaged in terrific battles, with no particular club dominating - arguably, not since this period has top-flight English football been so competitive. (This is why England won the '66 World Cup and had to be deviously cheated out of retaining it in 1970.)

Patience and hard-work prevailed. At the start of the new decade Bill's refreshed team of soon to be 'house-hold names' were: Emlyn Hughes, Ray Clemence, Tommy Smith, John Toshack, Steve Heighway, Brian Hall and Kevin Keegan amongst others. The 1970's, under Shankly and later his right-hand man Bob Paisley, witnessed, undoubtedly one of the best football teams to ever play the game - silverware proven fact!

Bill Shankly succeeded in turning a run-of-the mill, unambitious football club into the most successful in English football history. With him they won 3 league titles, 2 F.A Cups and the UEFA Cup. But more importantly, he set the standards: his philosophy, belief and devotion revolutionalised the club. Their stylish yet simple football subsequently dominated the national and European scenes for 15 years after he retired from Anfield.

Before Bill Shankly Liverpool F.C had nothing. After Bill Shankly they had everything!