As part of this continuing series on the 2008 European Capital of Culture, the city of Liverpool here in the United Kingdom, today I took myself off to the other side of the city, to Anfield, the home of the world famous Liverpool Football Club

It is here where the above picture was taken of the impressive Bill Shankly bronze, located at ‘The Kop’ end of Anfield

So, who was Bill Shankly O.B.E?

Bill Shankly was the manager of Liverpool between 1959 and 1974 and was, and still is, one of, if not THE most well respected managers British football has ever seen

Born in East Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1913, Shankly made a name for himself first as a player with Patrick Thistle, Carlisle United and Preston North End

He became manager of Liverpool Football Club in 1959 and took them from strength to strength -

1962 Second Division champions
1964 First Division champions
1965 FA Cup Winners, European Champions' Cup semi-finalists
1966 First Division champions, European Cup Winners Cup beaten finalists
1969 First Division runners-up
1971 FA Cup beaten finalists, Inter-Cities Fairs Cup semi-finalists
1973 First Division champions, UEFA Cup winners
1974 FA Cup winners, First division runners-up

On his retirement in 1974, Shankly was awarded the OBE, and in 1997, this tribute was unveiled in front of The Kop at Anfield

This fine work of art was created by Liverpool artist and sculptor Tom Murphy, who has numerous other credits to his name around the city, none least the John Lennon Bronze at Liverpool John Lennon Airport

This statue stands at over 8 feet tall and shows Shankly in a familiar pose, taking applause from adoring fans and wearing a fan's scarf around his neck

Shankly was also very famous for his quotes, one of his most well known is the following, often mis-quoted quote, which he said during a Granada TV interview in 1981, shortly before his death:

"Someone said 'football is more important than life and death to you' and I said 'Listen, it's more important than that’�

More on Liverpool Football Club coming soon – you may like to bookmark us for future reference

Anyway. I’m hoping this will be a useful travel guide for visitors to the city, without giving too much away because I don’t want to spoil any surprises for you!

Thanks very much for looking

While you’re in the area you might also like to visit:

The Liverpool Football Club Tour
Goodison Park – home of Everton Football Club
The Everton Football Club Tour
Anfield Cemetery – go and look at the clock and sexton’s house dated 1862

Can’t wait to see you la!

More on Liverpool Capital of Culture 08

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