The glorious quotes, the comical stories of transfer dealings, the iconic image of Shanks with arms aloft in front of the Kop, the latter immortalised by the statue in his honour – these are but a part of the legacy that Shankly bequeathed to Liverpool and its supporters. This was a man who mobilised a sleeping giant, and like Napoleon, turned it into a force to ‘conquer the bloody world’. And as Shanks loved Liverpool with every sinew, so Liverpool loved him back.
I wish that I was old enough to have seen the man in his pomp, yet I have a lifetime of his memories because of everything that he meant to this club, and because of everything that he meant to my teachers on the Kop.
It seems that Shankly had that effect on all around him within the club. Supporters, staff and players were all driven by the man’s dedication and passion, and devoted to his cause. This was never in any doubt, but the gesture of John Toshack, then manager of Swansea, in wearing his Liverpool shirt during the minute’s silence following Shanks’ passing, illustrated it perfectly. The players would run through brick walls for Shanks, and the Kop responded.
I fear, sometimes, that this is the biggest source of frustration for the contemporary supporter. In this current state of crisis and uncertainty, the one thing that can be reasonably expected is for the players to give their complete heart and soul to the cause for which we are all fighting. I have no doubt that all of the current squad are trying, but when you look around for that unyielding commitment and sacrifice, is it more than just irony that the two local lads with numbers 8 and 23 on their backs stand out?
I know that Bill Shankly would not have stood for the commotion and mismanagement of Liverpool Football Club today, but his spirit lives on for each and every visitor and Koppite that walks through the Shankly Gates, and also in the fight to safeguard the future of the Club, in the aptly named Spirit of Shankly movement.
I did not see Bill Shankly’s Liverpool play, but they are the cornerstone upon which the club is built. Long after the mercenaries have been defeated in their attempts to destroy Liverpool Football Club, the legacy of Bill Shankly will remain.
The Angels came, took Shanks away
But from above, I heard him say
Give me the men, whose hearts have bled
Make them proud to wear the RED
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Y.N.W.A SHANKLY!I belive that “you are” still with the club,wherever you’re.
Great article im sure both Bill and Bob are looking down on us with digust at the yanks. If only both of them where still around our voice would be even louder and more people would stand up and listen. I only wish our glory days return under a new owner. Bill and Bob built our club with hard work, tough love and some talent, they built a legacy and set traditions for the future of our club, now look it. We are in shambles, the next month will have a mighty impact on the existence of the club lets hope it all ends well for the club and us the fans……YNWA
david moores should stay away from anfield, he allowed this mess to happen.
Thanks for the comments – I would be inclined to agree with them all, although I would suggest, Stah, that David Moores does still have support amongst the fan base. Personally, I hold him at this point with great contempt for putting the club into the hands of the current owners.
Zahid, lfc4life – I think Shanks and Bob would be looking down not only with disgust, but with tears to see where we are now.
Time will judge how we come together to overcome these mercenaries and rebuild towards our golden sky.