Bill Shankly

Bill Shankley

Birth

Bill Shankly was born in the small Ayrshire coal mining village of Glenbuck, close to the Ayrshire-Lanarkshire border. In 1913, the population of Glenbuck was around 700 and people born there would often move to find work in larger coal mines. As a result, Glenbuck became largely derelict and by the time Shankly's ghost writer John Roberts visited it in 1976, there were only twelve houses left, including a cottage owned by Shankly's sister Elizabeth (Liz), whom Roberts described as 'the last of the children of Glenbuck'. Shankly's parents, John and Barbara, lived in one of the Auchenstilloch Cottages with their ten children; five boys and five girls. Shankly was the ninth child and the youngest boy. Although he was known as Bill throughout his football career, his name in the family was Willie, pronounced 'Wullie'. His father was a postman who became a tailor of handmade suits but, despite the football pedigree in his family, he did not play himself.


His Legacy

William 'Bill' Shankly OBE was a Scottish footballer and manager who is best remembered for his management of Liverpool. He is regarded as one of football's greatest managers.


Shankly took charge of Liverpool when they were in the Second Division and rebuilt the team into a major force in English football. He led Liverpool to the Second Division Championship to gain promotion to the top-flight First Division in 1962, before going on to win three First Division Championships, two FA Cups, four Charity Shields and one UEFA Cup. Shankly announced his surprise retirement from football a few weeks after Liverpool won the 1974 FA Cup Final, having managed the club for fifteen years, and was succeeded by his long-time assistant Bob Paisley. He died seven years later at the age of 68.


His Death

On the morning of 26 September 1981, Bill Shankly was admitted to Broadgreen Hospital following a heart attack. His condition appeared to be stable and there was no suggestion that his life was in danger. But, on the following Monday morning, his condition suddenly deteriorated and was transferred into intensive care. At 00:30 on 29 September, he suffered another cardiac arrest and was certified dead, aged 68, at 01:20. He was cremated at the Anfield Crematorium on 2 October and his ashes were scattered on the Anfield pitch at the Kop end.



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