Date of Birth
2 Sep 1913
Birthplace
Glenbuck
Nationality
Scottish
Games
783
Games Won
407
Games Drawn
198
Games Lost
178
First Division champions 1964, 1966, 1973
Second Division champions 1962
FA Cup 1965, 1974
UEFA Cup 1973
FA Charity Shield 1964 (shared), 1965 (shared) 1966
Bill Shankly is arguably the most famous figure in Liverpool Football Club's illustrious history. A charismatic man who realised his dream of turning us into English football's most dominant force, the Scot's spirit has quite rightly been immortalised in the very foundations of our club. He had already grown accustomed to what seemed like an obligatory boardroom battle as his 10-year managerial career prior to taking over in the Anfield hot-seat saw him earn his spurs with the likes of Carlisle United, Grimsby, Workington and finally Huddersfield Town. His time with the Terriers also saw him grant a debut to an up and coming 16-year-old by the name of Denis Law. This devotion to winning led T V Williams to take a keen interest in the man who had at that point been more recognised for his quick wit and acid tongue than for his success on the pitch. With this in his armoury, slowly but surely, Shankly's Liverpool began to move forward. The foundations were now in place and the Reds romped away with the Second Division title in 1961-62, finishing eight points clear of their nearest rivals and amassing an impressive 62 point. In the 1965-66 season Liverpool finished as champions using just 14 players and two of those only played a handful of games. The first FA Cup win in 1965 was followed by some magical European exploits across the continent as the Reds established a passing style that became the envy of the watching world. Amidst all this, stood Shankly, a man who had found his spiritual home. He was perfectly in tune with the Kopites, knowing and understanding how they felt about football and the pride a successful team gave them. There is no doubt that Paisley's era as manager would prove more fruitful than Shankly's in terms of trophies won. In the years following his resignation, to the disbelief of the fans, relations between him and the club he so loved had become somewhat strained. But there was no such problem on the terraces. In the first game at Anfield following his funeral, a huge banner was unfurled on the Kop which read 'Shankly Lives Forever'. |