What did you think of George Wood, asked Peter Robinson. I thought he made two very good saves, did he not?
Yes and no, Peter. Yes and no. Yes, they were good saves. Yes. But they were saves he should have made. That’s his job, Peter. I mean, he was just doing his job. But you saw the other match, too? You watched the Birmingham — Forest match, Peter?
Yes, said Peter Robinson. I did, Bill.
Well now, then you saw a very good save there. An exceptional save by Shilton. I mean, Francis flicked it up beautifully. He volleyed it beautifully. He did everything right. But there was Shilton. With a glancing save, with a brilliant save. Not many keepers would have got to that, Peter. Not many men, I can tell you. That was going in, that was heading home. No danger. No danger at all. But there was Shilton. At full stretch. Incredible. I mean, for him to reach that. For Shilton to save that. Bloody unbelievable!
And Forest are still top, said Peter Robinson. And Peter Robinson laughed. And Peter Robinson said, I find that pretty unbelievable, too. If I’m honest with you, Bill …
Well, you know, Peter. You know what I think. I think they can go all the way. I think they can win the League. I really do, Peter. The way Brian has got them playing. The way he has set them up. As a team, Peter. As a team again. Not individuals, Peter. But as a team. A very balanced team. And Birmingham were no match for them. No match at all. And I mean, Alf will know that –
I do wonder why Sir Alf agreed to step in, said Peter Robinson. I mean, why now? Why would he, Bill?
Alf Ramsey is a football man. He loves being in football. After he was sacked, I know many clubs came knocking on his door. But they were either foreign clubs or Second Division clubs. But Alf always said he wanted to continue working. He said he still had a lot to give. And so when Birmingham offered him a directorship. He said yes. Because he wanted to be involved. And then when Willie Bell was sacked. And they asked him to be the caretaker manager. Again he said yes. Because he wanted to help. But they were never going to beat Forest. Alf knows that. Birmingham were lacking in the very basics. They have Francis. But just Francis. One man. An individual. And you can’t win a game of football with just one man. Just one individual. No matter how good he is, how skilful he is. You can’t win a game with just one man, Peter.
But it must have been galling for Sir Alf, said Peter Robinson, the way Burns played today. For Birmingham to have sold him to Forest before Sir Alf had even taken over. That must be very galling?
Oh well, I don’t know about that, Peter. I don’t know about that. Burns is a very difficult character. By all accounts. A difficult man to deal with. And so I’m not sure Alf would have got on with Burns. And then Burns is Scottish, of course. And Alf has never had any love of us. So I’m not sure he would have been able to get the best out of him. Not the way Brian has. I mean, Brian has reformed him.
And so you think he’s the man to reform England?
I think he could, Peter. In fact, I’m certain he could. But I’m not sure he will be given the chance. I mean, I can’t see the FA ever appointing a man like Brian. I mean, Brian would want to do things his way. Not their way. And he’s never been one of them yes, sir, no, sir, three bags full merchants. And Brian never will be.
But they have invited him down for an interview, said Peter Robinson. They didn’t do that the last time …
Aye, but I think it’s just a sop. I think it’s just for show. A show for the press, a show for the public. I mean, I think they’ve already made up their minds. I think in their minds they know who they want. And they want Ron. Ron Greenwood. And he may be fine. Ron may do very well. And I hope he does. But I think they are just wasting Brian’s time. Inviting him down, interviewing him. They are just wasting his time. As I say, I think it’s all for show. It’s just a sop. And I think that’s a shame, Peter. A very great shame. Because I think they could do with someone like Brian, with a breath of fresh air. I think they need a breath of fresh air.
It’s a shame you’re not an Englishman, said Peter Robinson.
Oh no. Never say that, Peter. Never say that. I’ve never thought that, Peter. And I never will. But you’re right, Peter. You’re right. I could teach them a thing or two. I certainly could.
I know you could, said Peter Robinson. I know you could, Bill. Well, I best be off. I best get to my bed, Bill …
Aye. Well, you sleep well, Peter. You sleep well. And I’ll see you in the week, Peter. I’ll see you on Tuesday. And thanks for calling, Peter. Thanks. And goodnight, Peter. Goodnight.
In the house, in their hallway. In the night and in the silence. Bill put down the telephone. Bill went back into the front room. Bill sat back down in his chair. And then Bill got back up from his chair. Bill walked over to the television. Bill switched on the television. Bill pressed the buttons on the television. Bill changed the channels on the television. And then Bill switched off the television again. Bill walked back over to his chair. Bill sat back down in his chair. In the night and in the silence. Bill picked up the paper. The evening paper. Bill turned the pages. Bill turned the pages. Bill turned the pages. And then Bill put down the paper. In the night and in the silence. Bill got back up from his chair. Bill walked out of the front room. Bill walked into the hallway. Bill picked up the telephone. Bill dialled a number. In the house, in their hallway. Bill listened to the telephone ring. And ring. And ring. And then Bill heard Jock Dodds say, Hello, Bill …
75. THE SPIRIT OF ’78
Liverpool Football Club had not got their hat-trick. Liverpool Football Club had not retained the League Championship for a third season in a row. Liverpool Football Club had finished second in the First Division. Nottingham Forest had finished first in the First Division. Nottingham Forest were the Champions of England. Brian Clough was the Manager of the Year. Nottingham Forest had also won the League Cup. Nottingham Forest had beaten Liverpool Football Club in the final of the League Cup. Liverpool Football Club had not even reached the final of the FA Cup. Liverpool Football Club had been knocked out of the FA Cup by Chelsea in the Third Round. Ipswich Town had won the FA Cup. In the 1977–78 season, Liverpool Football Club had won nothing –
Yet.
Away from home, away from Anfield. In the first leg of the semi-final of the European Cup, Liverpool Football Club had lost two — one to Borussia Mönchengladbach. But back at home, back at Anfield. In the second leg of the semi-final of the European Cup, Liverpool Football Club had beaten Borussia Mönchengladbach three — nil. Now Liverpool Football Club were in the final of the European Cup. Liverpool Football Club had the chance to retain the European Cup. Real Madrid had retained the European Cup. Benfica had retained the European Cup. Internazionale had retained the European Cup. Ajax had retained the European Cup. And Bayern Munich had retained the European Cup. But no British football club had ever retained the European Cup. Now Liverpool Football Club had the chance to retain the European Cup. Now Liverpool Football Club had the chance to do something no other British football club had ever done before. If Liverpool Football Club could beat Football Club Bruges. At Wembley Stadium on Wednesday 10 May, 1978 –
Bill Shankly had been sent a ticket for the final. But Bill Shankly didn’t really want to go to London. Bill Shankly didn’t really want to stay in London. Bill Shankly didn’t really like to spend a night away from home. Not these days, not any more. But Bill Shankly didn’t want anyone to think he was a petty man. Bill Shankly didn’t want anyone to think he’d turned his back on Liverpool Football Club. Bill Shankly didn’t want anyone to think he didn’t care about Liverpool Football Club. Not anyone, not ever. And so Bill Shankly bought a train ticket to London. A day return –