I'm going to post tributes to the men that created one of the most famous football clubs in the world.I've been working on this for ages so you'll have to bare with me if it drags on a bit.
November 1959:Phil Taylor resigns due to ill-health commenting 'that the strain of trying to win promotion has proved too much.'
Bill Shankly was manager of Huddersfield Town when Liverpool stepped in with an offer.When he arrived at Anfield in December 1959 he was shocked at the state of the club and immediately began a rebuilding programme.Most of the players he inherited were transferred,new players were bought and even the club's training ground at Melwood was refurbished.Shankly's first masterstroke was to sign Ron Yeats and Ian St.John,who over the next decade formed the backbone of his side.Others such as Gordon Milne,Peter Thompson and Willie Stevenson were among his early signings while chances were given to youngsters such as Chris Lawler,Gerry Byrne,Tommy Smith and Roger Hunt.Shankly's first success came in 1962 as Liverpool lifted the 2nd division championship.Two years later we were league champions and followed that up in 1965 by winning the F.A.Cup for the first time in their history.Over the next nine years,as Shankly ruled supreme at Anfield,Liverpool lifted two more league titles as well as the F.A.Cup for the second time and the UEFA Cup.In 1974,following our F.A.Cup victory,Shankly shocked the footballing world by sesationally resigning.There had been no hint of it although he had threatened to resign over matters of principle in the past.This time he claimed he was tired and in need of a rest.But it was not long before he missed the game and he was soon taking on various consultancy roles.Sadly,he wasnever offered any other post at Anfield,nor even a directorship,and in later years he felt bitter about the way the club had treated him.He died on 29 September 1981,a few days after suffering a heart attack.The following Saturday Liverpool played host to Swansea City managed by, one of Shankly's signings,John Toshack.He paid his own tribute by stripping of his jacket to reveal a Liverpool shirt during the minute silence.Without doubt Bill Shankly was one of the great managers of the modern era-fanatical,loyal and always ready with a quip.He once said that he and Liverpool Football Club were made for each other.It was undoubtedly true.Shankly created the modern Liverpool,turning a sleeping giant into the great club it is today.It was Shankly who laid down the ground rules,who created the boot room,the development of the talent in the reserves,the passing game that was to become Liverpool's hallmark and the commitment to the club that was demanded of every player.They were rules which were to serve Liverpool well over the next 20 years.
The Shankly Gates were erected as a permanent memorial to Bill Shankly with the sign'You'll Never Walk A lone' above them.They were formally opened by his widow Nessie Shankly.A bronze statue of 'Shanks' was unveiled in 1998 and stands outside the Kop.
.....................to be continued......................