Fifty years ago today Bill Shankly left Huddersfield Town for Liverpool FC

Nov 30 2009 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

The story of former Huddersfield Town manager Bill Shankly has been republished. BARRY GIBSON reports.

“Law and McHale were both sixteen years old when I brought them into the first team.”

Shankly was particularly keen on Denis Law, the pint-sized Scot who would go on to European Cup glory with Manchester United in 1968.

“Right from the start Denis stood out with his enthusiasm and will to win – nastiness, if you like. He would have died to have won. He would have kicked you to have won. He had a temper, and he was a terror – a bloody terror, with ability.

“It was obviously going to be a difficult job to keep him. His father and brother-in-law came down to see the cup tie, which was against Peterborough, who were then non-League. I went to meet the pair of them at Leeds Station on the Friday and all the newspaper men were there, photographers and reporters pushing and asking, ‘Who is he going to sign for?’ There was one who started on about it in the toilet and I pushed him into the urinal. His bottom was wet, I can tell you.

“I told them that I had been in touch with the football authorities and that they would be watching events. I talked about how Huddersfield had done all they could for Denis and that they were not the wealthiest club in the world, so if he went somewhere else it would not look too good. I told Denis not to start off on the wrong foot. ‘I didn’t make you, son, and Andy Beattie didn’t make you. But I will tell you something, we helped,’ I said.

“He signed the forms that night, and they were completed the next day. But the big clubs were always after him and the offers kept rolling in.”

With Law in the team, Shankly’s Huddersfield Town were the great entertainers of the Second Division.

“At this time I was still waiting for my opportunity in the big time, but one of the most amazing games I have ever seen was at Charlton when I was manager of Huddersfield. The kick-off was at two o’clock and Charlton lost their centre-half with a dislocated shoulder.

“We were winning 5-1 with twenty-five minutes to go, and the last part of the game was played in semi-darkness. Wilson, McGarry and Kenny Taylor started to go upfield looking for more goals – and in no time we were losing 6-5. We made it 6-6 and I thought, ‘At least that’s something,’ but they kicked off again, won a throw-in and boof! – they had beaten us 7-6 with the last kick of the ball.

“We beat Liverpool 5-0 with 10 men one day. Taylor damaged ligaments in the first five minutes, but that didn’t stop us. I remember the Liverpool directors leaving the ground in single file, with their shoulders slumped, like a funeral procession.”

The Liverpool directors were clearly impressed by Shankly.

“One day in 1959, when Huddersfield were playing Cardiff City, Tom (TV) Williams, who was the chairman of Liverpool, and Harry Latham, a director, came down the slope at Leeds Road to see me.

“Mr Williams said, ‘How would you like to manage the best club in the country?’

‘Why, is Matt Busby packing up?’ I asked.

“At the time Liverpool were scratching around the top of the Second Division and there was obviously more potential and ambition there than there was at Huddersfield.”

Shankly joined Liverpool on December 1, 1959. In the next 15 years he built a formidable team which won three First Division titles, two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup.

He retired in 1974, leaving behind a squad of players who went on to win four European Cups from 1977 to 1984.

Shankly died in September 1981.

The life and times of Bill Shankly

1913:@ Born in the Scottish mining village of Glenbuck

1931: Makes his debut for Ayrshire side Cronberry Eglinton

1932: Joins Carlisle United

1933: Signs for Preston North

April 9, 1938: Makes his Scotland debut against England at Wembley

April 30, 1938: Shankly’s Preston beat Town in the FA Cup Final.

1949: Takes on his first managerial job at Carlisle United.

1951: Moves to Grimsby

1954: Takes over at lowly Workington and saves the club from extinction

1955: Appointed reserve team coach at Town

1956: Takes over as manager at Leeds Road

1959: Appointed boss of Liverpool

1962: The Reds win the Second Division

1964: Liverpool take the First Division title

1965: Guides the Reds to their first ever FA Cup final victory

1966: Liverpool win the league again

1973: Shankly wins his third and final First Division title. Liverpool go on to win the UEFA Cup

1974: Liverpool thrash Newcastle 3-0 to win the FA Cup. Shankly retires two months later

1981: Shankly passes away, aged 68

Bill Shankly – In his own words: "Denis Law could dance on eggshells."

"If Everton were playing down the bottom of my garden, I'd draw the curtains."

"This city has two great teams – Liverpool and Liverpool reserves."

"If you’re not sure what to do with the ball, just pop it in the net and we'll discuss your options afterwards."

"They say football’s a matter of life and death – but it’s more important than that."

Bill Shankly: My Story is available again for the first time since 1976. Priced £16.99, it can be ordered by calling 0845 143 0001 or by visiting www.merseyshop.com.