Thetownend.com

Today would have marked the 99th birthday of Bill Shankly had he still been alive, this man had more funny and considered quotes than just about any manager ever. I thought a few might make you smile.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On arriving in New York, being told it was it was 6.30pm and asked if he’d like to go to a bar: “I’m not having Yanks deciding what time it is for me. It’s half past eleven in Liverpool and I’m going to bed.”


On rumours that he took his wife to watch Rochdale on their wedding anniversary: “Of course I didn’t take my wife to see Rochdale as an anniversary present, it was her birthday. Would I have got married in the football season? Anyway, it was Rochdale reserves.”


When asked why he was putting himself through the same training routine that the Liverpool first team players (who were half his age) were doing, he said: "When I die, I want to be the fittest man that ever died."


at Dixie Dean's funeral
"I know this is a sad occasion but I think that Dixie would be amazed to know that even in death he could draw a bigger crowd than Everton can on a Saturday Afternoon."


When asked about the attractiveness of Everton's football, he replied: "If they were playing in my back garden, I would close the curtains"


When presenting him with the Manager of the Year award Billy Bremner spent around 15 minutes telling the audience how worthy a recipent Shankly was. The great man's acceptance speech was "Thanks Billy. I deserve it".
Then he walked off the stage.


A football team is like a piano. You need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing.


And last of all my personal favourite, taken from George Best's biography.

Prior to the gamebetween Liverpool and Manchester United, Shankly had received the United team sheet and he incorporated it into his team talk. His intention was to run us down and, in so doing, boost the confidence of his own players. 'Alex Stepney,' Shanks began. 'A flapper of a goalkeeper. Hands like a Teflon frying pan - non-stick. Right back, Shay Brennan. Slow on the turn, give him a roasting. Left back is Tony Dunne. Even slower than Brennan. He goes on an overlap at twenty past three and doesn't come back until a quarter to four. Right half, Nobby Stiles. A dirty little -beep-. Kick him twice as hard as he kicks you and you'll have no trouble with him.'

'Bill Foulkes, a big, cumbersome centre half who can't direct his headers. He had a head like a sheriff's badge, so play on him. Paddy Crerand. Slower than steam rising off a dog turd. You'll bypass him easily.'

The Liverpool players felt as if they were growing in stature with his every word. 'David Sadler,' Shanks continued. 'Wouldn't get a place in our reserves. And finally, John Aston. A chicken, hit him once and you'll never hear from him again. As the manager finished his demolition job on United, Emlyn Hyghes raised his hand. 'That's all very well, boss,' he said, 'but you haven't mentioned George Best, Denis Law or Bobby Charlton.' Shanks turned on him. 'You mean to tell me we can't beat a team that has only three players in it?' he said, glowering.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Football needs more characters, we are lucky in having our own character in charge with Paolo who can come out with some crackers of his own, some day he may match these.

Football isn't a matter of life and death, it's much more important than that.

Never been a fan of Shankly to be honest. Always come a cross as a bit of an self-righteous arsehole.

'The football's not a matter of life and death...'. quote in particular has to be one of the most over rated quotes in history. Complete shit.

Shankley had a very, very dry sense of humour and that comment was tongue in cheek. One of the all time greats, no doubt about it and most definitely not an 'a' hole.

He was taking the piss. The only arseholes are those that quote it and miss that rather salient point.

Perhaps my angst should be aimed at the morons that use it as some kind of football inspiration quote then.

Still not being around at the time I've always found it difficult to warm to the legend of Shankly.  A-hole may have been a little ott too.

Pretty much anybody associated with Liverpool is an asshole to be fair

He went down in my estimation when the Town beat Liverpool 3-1 in the League Cup in the early 70's and he called us a little third division team or something along those lines, not a witticism of any sort!