Peter Venkman
Past glories motivate us when times are bleak.
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Perfection is not attainable
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« on: Sunday, September 2, 2012, 12:57:29 » |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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