Bill Shankly

1913 — 1981

Football Manager; Bill Shankly was born in the Ayrshire village of Glenbuck where coal mining and football dominated the local community. Shankly followed in the foot steps of his four brothers by becoming a professional footballer and he won five caps for Scotland during his time at Preston North End.

Bill’s managerial career began at Carlisle United and he had spells with Grimsby Town, Workington and Huddersfield Town before landing the managers position at Liverpool in 1959. Liverpool were an underachieving club struggling to win promotion when Shankly arrived but he transformed the fortunes of the team and the Second Division title was secured in 1962. The Anfield club re-emerged as a leading club in English football in 1964 when the First Division Championship was won. The ‘Reds’ also became a force in Europe reaching the semi final of the European Cup in 1965, the final of the European Cup Winners Cup in 1966 and winning the UEFA Cup in 1973.

Shankly was one of Scottish football’s great personalities and was well known for his dry Ayrshire wit. He achieved cult status amongst the fans at Liverpool and ensured the long term success of the club by bringing together his ‘Boot Room’ team of coaches which included Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan. As manager of Liverpool Bill won the First Division title three times and the FA Cup twice.