Phil Thompson has always had a knack for capturing the pulse of Merseyside, but “Shankly: From Glenbuck to Wembley” shows him at the top of his game. Thompson, joined by renowned sports photographer Steve Hale, doesn’t just chronicle the milestones of Bill Shankly’s career—he brings the man to life, painting him in vivid detail with the kind of writing that makes you feel like you’re right there on the Anfield touchline. The book opens in the tiny mining village of Glenbuck, where Shankly’s early years are laid out with a keen sense of place and purpose. Thompson’s prose is sharp and direct, but never cold; he manages to capture Shankly’s restless energy and uncompromising values with real warmth.
As Thompson charts Shankly’s rise through the ranks—from his early managerial stints at Carlisle and Grimsby to his transformative spell at Liverpool—you get a clear sense of why Shankly was such a magnetic figure. Thompson’s writing is at its best when dissecting Shankly’s philosophy: football as a means of uniting the working class, as a force for hope and belonging. There’s an authenticity here—a sense that Thompson understands both the grandeur and the grit of Shankly’s journey.
Shankly's arrival at Liverpool in 1959, a club struggling and in need of a miracle, forms the core of the book. Thompson masterfully weaves together anecdotes, interviews, and his reflections to show just how seismic Shankly’s impact was. You can practically hear the Kop roar as Shankly’s Reds begin to climb, first to domestic success and then to European nights that would define generations.
Thompson's ability to balance the facts with a captivating storytelling style distinguishes this biography. He pays tribute not just to Shankly’s footballing genius but to his wit, his restless drive, and the love he inspired in Liverpool fans. And with Steve Hale’s evocative photography sprinkled throughout, each chapter feels even more alive. “Shankly: From Glenbuck To Wembley” isn’t just a biography—it’s a love letter to a man and a club, written by someone who knows just how deep that love runs. Thompson’s writing is honest, unpretentious, and deeply human, making this a must-read for any football fan.
What Did Bill Shankly Do in His Last 10 Years? (September 1971–1981):
After leading Liverpool to another league title in 1972–73 and securing the club’s first European trophy with the UEFA Cup, Shankly stunned fans and players alike by announcing his resignation in July 1974, shortly after lifting the FA Cup. The decade that followed saw Shankly step away from frontline management, but he never truly left the football world. He remained a beloved figure at Anfield, regularly attending matches and training sessions and maintaining close relationships with fans and players. Shankly also dedicated time to public speaking, sharing his philosophies on football and life at events across the country. Although he sometimes felt sidelined by the club’s decision-makers, his influence on the culture and identity of Liverpool remained immense. Bill Shankly passed away in September 1981, but his legacy lived on in every song sung at the Kop and every trophy lifted by the club he transformed.ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Publisher: Great Book Selection – Visit The History Press
Published: June 27, 2025
Price: £12.99
Paperback: 192 pages
ISBN-10: 1803997435
ISBN-13: 978-1803997438
Dimensions: 129 x 198 (mm)
