Bill Shankly - This website is a part of LFCHistory.net

Listen to Shankly's memorial service

Liverpool's greatest, Bill Shankly, died on Tuesday 29th September 1981 after suffering a heart attack. The front page of Echo read: SHANKLY IS DEAD. It recorded the official hospital statement: "Mr Shankly suffered a cardiac arrest at 12.30 am and was certified dead at 1.20." Shanks had been battling for life since he suffered a heart attack early on Saturday morning. He had been making good progress until his condition deteriorated yesterday morning and he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. His wife Nessie was by his side when he died."

Listen to Bill Shankly‘s memorial service (play with Real Player) "A service of Thanksgiving for the life of Bill Shankly" that was broadcast on BBC Radio Merseyside from Liverpool's Cathedral on 22nd November 1981.

A number of Shanks' favourite hymns are sung; Amazing Grace, Onward Christian Soldiers, Lord I Trust Thee and the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

Three of Shanks' friends take the podium to talk about the attributes that Shanks prized the most; Kevin Keegan on integrity, Tom Finney on enthusiasm and Bob Paisley on inspiration.

Ian St John addresses the congregration and Gerry Marsden concludes the proceedings by singing You'll Never Walk Alone.

Note there are short sound disruptions that occur on occasion in this hour long recording.

Shanks quote

"He was a fair man. He never cheated anybody. We only came to loggerheads once over money, and that was over a new bonus scheme they wanted to introduce. Trouble was, the basic was terrible, and you found yourself relying an awful lot on bonus. We got together with the lads and I went back and got it sorted out with Shanks, but not without a bit of shouting and bawling. He'd stand there with his hands on his hips and say, 'You, Smithy, you could start a riot in a cemetery.'"

TOMMY SMITH