Shankly

Shankly gives an open and no holds barred account of his life

SHANKLY: My Story was republished in 2009 to mark 50 years since he came to Anfield and helped transform the club.
 
The book, first published in 1976, comes to life when Shankly talks about Liverpool FC and his time there.
 
He writes that when he arrived at the club in December 1959 that the ground was too small, and the team was under performing but he recognised “the potential”. It is apparent that he immediately connected with the fans, and he recognised they were “thirsting for success.”
 
The book looks into the working relationship Shankly struck up with the director Eric Sawyer. When a discussion was had at a board meeting about new players such as Ron Yeats and Ian St John, committee members said the club couldn’t afford them. However, Mr Sawyer came in with: “We cannot afford not to buy them.”
 
It was Sawyer who helped Shankly sign the 6ft 2ins defender Ron Yeats from Dundee United. Famously when Yeats was signed, Shankly said to the press: “Go on, walk around him. He’s a colossus!”
 
Shankly admits that Yeats and St John were the bedrock of his team. Another key player in Shankly’s team was Tommy Smith and the book recounts the story how his mum left him at the ground and asked officials to “look after him.”
 
It is interesting to read how Shankly transformed the team and the club. When he retired after 15 years as manager at Liverpool, he had won 10 trophies including thee First Division titles and one UEFA Cup.
 
I found it sad to read he wanted to help the club after retiring “but wasn’t given the chance.” At first, he continued to go to Melwood but stopped after a while as he felt some “resentment.” Surprisingly he writes that he was initially received “more warmly” at Everton than he was at Liverpool. I certainly picked up how bitter he felt.
 
Shankly gives an open and no holds barred account of his life and is a must read for every Liverpool fan interested in the club’s history.