LISTEN TO BILL SHANKLY'S FAVOURITE SONGS

According to Karen Gill, Shankly's granddaughter, Bill used to listen faithfully to the same catalogue of songs before a big match to prepare himself mentally. "They gave him the inspiration that he needed and reflected the passion that he felt."

When Shankly.com (which is owned by LFChistory.net) published this article Karen Gill sent us a note saying: "I love the page where you have clips of his favourite songs." Karen then added: "Just wanted to congratulate you on the fantastic job that you've done revitalizing the website about my granddad. Well done you've really done him proud."

Here are youtube clips of Shanks' favourite songs performed by the artists that Bill used to listen to so you can get a bit of an insight into the great man.

Gerry and the Pacemakers - You'll Never Walk Alone

Judy Collins - Amazing Grace

Peters & Lee - Welcome Home

Ray Charles - Take These Chains From My Heart

Engelbert Humperdinck - Please Release Me

Jim Reeves - I Love You Because

Tom Jones - Green Green Grass Of Home

Shanks quote
"When I took a physiotherapy course before I became a manager, I learned some valuable things. Notably about the heart, the intake of food for an athlete and particularly the timing of meals before a match. I put this into use. When I came to Liverpool, I stopped the system of players having a big meal on the night before a game. I adopted the pattern of taking them away on Friday night, timing the journey to reach the hotel about 10 pm, where the players had tea, toast and honey and then straight to bed. On the day of the match, three hours before the kick-off, they could have a steak or chicken or poached eggs. They did not have a cooked breakfast as well. It was simple diet and and the word "simple" came into most of my football thinking in training and playing as well. I ate the same sort of food all my life and I've always been a fitness fanatic. The food players had before a match is to preserve their strength, not build it up. Players find what suits them best by trial and error. If their demand fell within the limits I laid down, that was all right. I also expected them to eat properly when they were not at the club, not to eat stupid things when they were out of control. Most of them did that but I invariably knew when any of them had stepped off the rails in any way. In any case, it usually told on their performance." Shankly's recipe for success seemed simple on the surface, but was anything but!

Shanks quote

"When I took a physiotherapy course before I became a manager, I learned some valuable things. Notably about the heart, the intake of food for an athlete and particularly the timing of meals before a match. I put this into use. When I came to Liverpool, I stopped the system of players having a big meal on the night before a game. I adopted the pattern of taking them away on Friday night, timing the journey to reach the hotel about 10 pm, where the players had tea, toast and honey and then straight to bed.

On the day of the match, three hours before the kick-off, they could have a steak or chicken or poached eggs. They did not have a cooked breakfast as well. It was simple diet and and the word "simple" came into most of my football thinking in training and playing as well. I ate the same sort of food all my life and I've always been a fitness fanatic. The food players had before a match is to preserve their strength, not build it up. Players find what suits them best by trial and error. If their demand fell within the limits I laid down, that was all right. I also expected them to eat properly when they were not at the club, not to eat stupid things when they were out of control. Most of them did that but I invariably knew when any of them had stepped off the rails in any way. In any case, it usually told on their performance."

Shankly's recipe for success seemed simple on the surface, but was anything but!

Site News
50 years of Shankly 18.12.2009 Several honours have come Shankly's way as in December 50 years had passed since the Scottish legend signed his contract to become manager of Liverpool Football Club. On the 16th Anfield was the stage for an emotional parade of legends along with nine members of Shankly’s family. The sounds of ‘Amazing Grace’ – Shankly’s favourite hymn reverberated at half-time during the game vs Wigan Athletic. A "SHANKS THE LEGEND" mosaic was unveiled on the Kop prior to kick off. The following day Shankly was awarded an Honorary Citizenship of Liverpool in recognition of the 50th anniversary of his arrival as manager of Liverpool FC and his dedication to the region. The award was presented by Lord Mayor Mike Storey on stage during the Shankly Show at the BT Convention Centre in Liverpool.
Download two original songs about Shankly! 11.09.2009 Paul Wilkes is a singer/songwriter from Liverpool who is a big fan of Bill Shankly. He wrote two great songs in Shankly's honour as 2009 is the 50 year anniversary of when Shankly became Liverpool's manager in 1959. George Sephton, 'The Voice of Anfield', has already given his thumbs up and calls the songs 'gems'. Download the songs here.

Site News

50 years of Shankly
18.12.2009
Several honours have come Shankly's way as in December 50 years had passed since the Scottish legend signed his contract to become manager of Liverpool Football Club. On the 16th Anfield was the stage for an emotional parade of legends along with nine members of Shankly’s family. The sounds of ‘Amazing Grace’ – Shankly’s favourite hymn reverberated at half-time during the game vs Wigan Athletic. A "SHANKS THE LEGEND" mosaic was unveiled on the Kop prior to kick off. The following day Shankly was awarded an Honorary Citizenship of Liverpool in recognition of the 50th anniversary of his arrival as manager of Liverpool FC and his dedication to the region. The award was presented by Lord Mayor Mike Storey on stage during the Shankly Show at the BT Convention Centre in Liverpool.

Download two original songs about Shankly!
11.09.2009
Paul Wilkes is a singer/songwriter from Liverpool who is a big fan of Bill Shankly. He wrote two great songs in Shankly's honour as 2009 is the 50 year anniversary of when Shankly became Liverpool's manager in 1959. George Sephton, 'The Voice of Anfield', has already given his thumbs up and calls the songs 'gems'. Download the songs here.