BILL SHANKLY O.B.E 1913 - 1981

Whilst at Anfield Bill Shankly quoted '...for a player to be good enough to play for Liverpool, he must be prepared to walk through a brick wall for me...' perhaps this stems from his youth days at The Cherrypickers (Glenbuck Athletic). Places were so in demand that the young coalminers had to pay for the privilege of playing; buy their own shirts and literally play out of their skins if they wanted to be 'invited' back again the following week. This spirit and desire for the game was evident in Shankly's ways both as a player and a manager, ultimately elevating him to being one of the best and most respected football managers of all time. Whether you are a football fan or not, or even a supporter of a rival club, the Man, Mr Bill Shankly, simply had an aura about him that made (and still makes) people sit up and listen. The ease of his manner on and off the pitch was something extemely special, a calming awe which oozed respect: this man had to have been sent from the Gods themselves. Why? To keep the game of football dignified and to ward off 'men in suits' from the training ground.

Nobody knows for sure why the great man prematurely retired from Liverpool Football Club in 1974, even those who were closest to him couldn't fully explain. Shankly was a man of high standards and principles: so perhaps he saw something in the game of professional football that was out of the players' and the peoples' control; something he didn't like or couldn't bring himself to adapt to - for 'immortals' like Bill Shankly the heart, soul and sincerity are the most important and valued gifts to possess, all else can be taken away at whim. The world, and especially the football world needs another Bill Shankly to remind us of its roots and give it back its dignity. However, while we wait you can be sure that his spirit will be in and around Anfield Road for eternity - we will never walk alone whilst his memories are with us.