Source: Liverpool_Echo
Bill Shankly boys who took Liverpool FC to the top
THEY were Bill Shankly's trusted lieutenants. The men tasked with realising their manager's dream of turning Liverpool into a 'bastion of invincibility'.[LNB]When Shankly arrived at Anfield the club was going nowhere fast. The Reds had been stuck in the Second Division for five years and the Scotsman soon realised major changes were needed.[LNB]Shankly wanted players who shared his passion and desire to be the best. He demanded total commitment and in return he promised they would be part of something special.[LNB]Some of the required characters he found in the squad he inherited, others were brought in from outside.[LNB]In the summer of 1961, Shankly signed Ron Yeats and Ian St John. It proved to be a masterstroke. 'They were the greatest signings and they were the beginning of Liverpool,' Shankly later remarked.[LNB]He had to fight hard to convince Liverpool's board to stump up the combined transfer fees of £59,500 but he was convinced it was a sound investment.[LNB]'I said to Mr Sawyer (Liverpool's financial director) 'you sack me if they can't play. I'm telling you now, I'll stake my life on it. These players will not only win us promotion, they will win us the Cup as well'.'[LNB]Shankly was a master at instilling confidence and self belief in his players.[LNB]Any doubts Yeats had about making the switch from Dundee United were swiftly eased after meeting Shankly for the first time at an Edinburgh hotel.[LNB]'He said to me 'Jesus son, you must be seven feet tall',' Yeats said. 'I told him I was only 6ft 3ins and he said 'that's near enough for me'.[LNB]'I asked him where Liverpool was and he said 'in the First Division'. I said I thought they were in the Second Division and he said 'with you in the side we'll soon be in the First Division'.'[LNB]Shankly later invited the press to take a walk around his 'Colossus', who was soon handed the captain's armband and remained at the heart of the Reds' defence for the next decade.[LNB]'Bill had this ability to build you up and make you believe you were unbeatable,' added Yeats.
