One of the boys - When shanks stood on the kop
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2003 10:45 pmI wonder how many modern managers would have the confidence that Shanks had or the fantastic bond with the fans.
When Liverpool won the championship in 1964, the first game of the next season was the Charity Shield game against West Ham. Shanks spent most of the match standing in the Kop talking to the fans about the team and what they wanted to see happening at the club. He had a great presence and the fans just adored him. He also listened to the fans and loved the Liverpool people. He once said 'I may be a Scot but I'd be proud to be called a Scouser'.
A great man who makes the modern day managers look poor in comparison. Shanks knew that if he could lift the fans they in turn would lift the team. He was right. I was a teenager standing in the KOP that day with about 25,000 other fans. And we were bloody glad Shanks was on our side.
When Liverpool won the championship in 1964, the first game of the next season was the Charity Shield game against West Ham. Shanks spent most of the match standing in the Kop talking to the fans about the team and what they wanted to see happening at the club. He had a great presence and the fans just adored him. He also listened to the fans and loved the Liverpool people. He once said 'I may be a Scot but I'd be proud to be called a Scouser'.
A great man who makes the modern day managers look poor in comparison. Shanks knew that if he could lift the fans they in turn would lift the team. He was right. I was a teenager standing in the KOP that day with about 25,000 other fans. And we were bloody glad Shanks was on our side.
