Welcome To Sandy's

Home
Up

"If you are first, you are first. If you are second, you are Nothing" - Bill Shankly

1959-74

"In my time at Liverpool, we have always said that we have the best 2
teams on Merseyside, Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves". - Bill Shankly

Born in Glanbuck, Ayrshire

Began his career with Glanbuck Cherrypickers before joining Carlisle.  After just one season he moved on to Preston North End for just £500.  He quickly became a regular in the Preston team and help them gain promotion in his first season with them, before reaching the FA Cup Final in 1937 against Sunderland, but unfortunately came away as Runners-Up.  It was long before he was back to play in the FA Cup Final again, in 1938 he won the cup after defeating Huddersfield Town.  In 1948-49, Shankly left Preston and re-joined Carlisle as Manager (by this time he had already won 7 part-time caps to go with his 5 Scottish caps), before moving on to Grimsby Town, Workington and Huddersfield Town.

Shankly joined Liverpool on 1st December 1959 and within a few seasons Liverpool had regained their First Division status by becoming Second Division Champions, eight points clear of the second placed team and scoring 99 goals.  Then in successive seasons, Liverpool won both the League Title and FA Cup and then the League Title again.  In 1966 Bill Shankly lead Liverpool to the European Cup Winners Final before gaining another title and then Liverpool's first European Trophy, the UEFA Cup in 1972-73.  1974 was to be Shankly's final year as Manager and he retired as a winner, when Liverpool won their second FA Cup and he became Manager of the Year.  Shortly after his retirement Bill was awarded the OBE for his achievements.

Shankly's achievements cannot be understated - he was the creator of the Liverpool team that dominated the domestic and European scene for years to come.

"If Everton were playing at the bottom of my garden, I'd close my curtains". - Bill Shankly