Upon his arrival at Liverpool Shankly set about re-building the Liverpool playing squad, which was overpaid and under qualified, releasing no less than 24 players during his first year in charge.  The task ahead of Shankly was enormous.  The playing squad was poor, the stadium decaying and the training facilities virtually non-existent.  The only saving grace was the backroom staff, which contained Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Reuben Bennett, all of whom were experienced and resourceful.  Under Shankly's stewardship these three would blossom, becoming the first members of the legendary "Boot room".

Shankly's first two seasons in charge saw a slow but sure improvement in the clubs performances and fortunes.  Pleased with the improvements in the team, the Anfield faithful returned and crowds regularly began to top 40,000.  During the 61/62 season Shankly lead Liverpool to the Second Division title, amassing a stunning 62 points (at that time a win was only awarded 2 points, not 3) and scoring 99 goals.  Liverpool had returned to top flight football!

Shankly's new squad was built around two influential Scottish players that he had brought in, Ron Yeats and Ian St John.  With these and other up and coming talents Shankly had a team capable of not only staying in the First Division, but challenging for the title. 

At the time Everton were the most successful club not only on Merseyside, but in the country.  Shankly made toppling Everton his first priority after returning to the First Division, and duly won the title from them in the 63-64 season.  This was to be the beginning of a new rivalry between the two clubs, and between them both clubs did as much as the Beatles or Gerry and the Pacemakers to put Liverpool on the world map during the 1960's.

With the playing squad sorted out Shankly turned his attention to the training facilities at Melwood, which were in dire need of renovation.  Under Shankly's supervision Melwood was transformed into a top class training facility.  One of the most important revisions was the introduction of the 5-a-side pitches, allowing Shankly to teach his players the ethos of "pass and move, keep it simple".  Shankly had learned this years before during his matches with the Glenbuck miners in his home town, and it was this simple ethos that formed the basis of his football thinking.

Shankly also introduced a new routine, whereby the players would meet and change at Anfield, before being bussed to Melwood for their daily training.  After training they would all bus back to Anfield to shower and change.  In this way Shankly could ensure all his players had warmed down properly, helping to protect them from injury.  The system was a great success and during the 65/66 season Shankly lead Liverpool to the League title with just 14 players, two of which only featured in a handful of games.

The clubs first FA Cup triumph soon followed in 1965, followed by majestic European exploits across the continent as Liverpool established a passing style that became the envy of the watching world.  Shankly had not only rescued the club from Second Division obscurity, he had propelled them to European superpower.

As the 60's came to an end, so did the Shankly's first great team.  Out went the likes of Hunt, St John, Yeats and Lawrence, and in came Keegan, Heighway, Lloyd and Clemence.  Shankly's second great team was formed and with it came further success.  The club won its first European trophy, the UEFA Cup, in 1973 along with the clubs 8th League title.  The following year the club won its second FA Cup, completely outplaying Newcastle in the final.  Sadly it was to be Shankly's final title.

In July of 1974  Shankly shocked the footballing world by announcing his retirement from Liverpool Football Club.  His announcement appalled Liverpool fans who could not understand why he wanted to leave at the peak of his powers.  Despite attempts by the club, his friends and fans all over the world to convince him otherwise, Shankly left the club to spend more time with his wife and family.

Little did people realise that Shankly's departure would herald the arrival of his assistant and natural successor, Bob Paisley, who would end up leading Liverpool to even greater heights and successes.

The importance of Bill Shankly to Liverpool Football Club can never be over estimated.  Although Paisley would ultimately win more trophies, without Shankly it is likely that Liverpool would have remained stuck in the Second Division for many more years, Paisley may never have become manager and the famous "Boot room" would not have been created.

Bill Shankly died unexpectedly from a heart attack in September 1981.