Bill Shankly: The top 10 quotes of a Liverpool legend 50 years to the day since he took over

01 December 2009 10:44
It is 50 years ago today since Bill Shankly took over at Liverpool where he helped transform the club and laid the foundations for their subsequent European and domestic success.[LNB]The Scot won three First Division titles, two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup before leaving Anfield in 1974 when his work was continued by Bob Paisley - who became the club's most successful manager ever.[LNB]Shankly was also regarded as a maverick and Sportsmail lists his ten most famous sayings.[LNB] Idol of the fans: Bill Shankly in front of The Kop[LNB]His most famous line is often misquoted as 'Football is more important than life or death' so we are glad to set the record straight on that score...[LNB]'Some people believe football is amatter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. Ican assure you it is much, much more important than that.' [LNB]'Pressure is working down the pit. Pressure is having no work at all.Pressure is trying to escape relegation on 50 shillings a week. [LNB]'Pressure is not the European Cup or the Championship or the Cup Final.That's the reward.' [LNB] 'If Everton were playing at the bottom of the garden, I'd pull the curtains.' [LNB]'The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don't know the game.'[LNB]  The awards piled up for Bill Shankly ....[LNB]'A lot of football success is in the mind. You must believe that youare the best and then make sure that you are. In my time at Liverpoolwe always said we had the best two teams in Merseyside, Liverpool andLiverpool reserves.' [LNB]'It was the most difficult thing inthe world, when I went to tell the chairman. It was like walking to theelectric chair. That's the way it felt.'[LNB]On leaving Liverpool in 1974[LNB] 'Liverpool was made for me and I was made for Liverpool.' [LNB]'If you are first you are first. If you are second you are nothing.'[LNB] ...including the FA Cup (left) and the UEFA Cup[LNB] 'It's there to remind our lads who they're playing for, and to remind the opposition who they're playing against.'[LNB]On the 'This is Anfield' plaque [LNB]'At a football club, there's a holy trinity - the players, the managerand the supporters. Directors don't come into it. They are only thereto sign the cheques.' [LNB]  Gravy train: Big spenders are City and Chelsea as clubs pay £70m to agentsMagic Messi beats rival Ronaldo to land European Footballer of the Year awardSportsmail asks football's leading figures who they would pay £40 to seeTHE LIST: The best footballers to have never played in the World Cup - 40-31LIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail