We do our training at night, sir.
You train at bloody night?
Yes, sir. At night. All the boys do.
Not any more you don’t, son, said Bill Shankly. So you go now and you get all the boys together, all the ground-staff lads. And you tell them to get changed and get on board this bus. Because you are here to play football first and to clean up second. So you’ll play your football during the day and you’ll do your cleaning at night. Is that clear, son? Is that understood?
Yes, sir.
Well, don’t just stand there then, son. Get to it. Hurry up, lad! We haven’t got all bloody day. We’ve got football to play!
…
After their lunch, in the afternoon. The directors of Liverpool Football Club were sitting in the boardroom at Anfield. The directors of Liverpool Football Club were waiting for Bill Shankly. Again. The directors of Liverpool Football Club heard the footsteps in the corridor. Again. The fast steps, the heavy steps. And the knock upon the door.
Tom Williams said, Come.
Bill Shankly opened the door. Bill Shankly stepped into the boardroom. Again. Bill Shankly looked around the boardroom –
You wanted to see me, asked Bill Shankly.
Tom Williams said, Yes. Sit down, please, Mr Shankly.
Bill Shankly sat down at the long table. Bill Shankly looked up the long table at the directors of Liverpool Football Club.
Tom Williams said, I am afraid you have upset the routine of the club, Mr Shankly. The young boys are needed to help the staff clean up the stadium. That is their job, Mr Shankly.
I know that, said Bill Shankly. I know that is part of their job. But first and foremost they are here to play football. They can still do their cleaning, they can still help the ground staff, but they can do it at night. During the day they should be playing football. They should be training. Developing. Not cleaning toilets.
Tom Williams smiled. And Tom Williams said, We all know how passionately you feel about bringing on the younger players, Mr Shankly. That is one of the reasons we wanted you to be the manager of Liverpool Football Club. Because of your success with the younger players at Huddersfield Town. But we have our routines. We have our ways. And if you don’t agree with those routines, those ways, then you should come to us first, Mr Shankly.
Well, if you don’t want me to develop these boys, these lads …
We never said that, Mr Shankly. We are not saying that.
Then you need to let me buy some players. Some decent players. Because frankly speaking, the players you have got here are not good enough for Liverpool Football Club.
Tom Williams sat back in his chair. And Tom Williams said, And so who do you have in mind, Mr Shankly? Which players should we buy? Go on then, Mr Shankly. Please give us their names.
Well, said Bill Shankly. I can tell you two names.
Tom Williams said again, Go on …
Denis Law of Huddersfield Town, said Bill Shankly. And Jack Charlton of Leeds United. For starters, that is. Just for starters.
The directors of Liverpool Football Club smiled. The directors of Liverpool Football Club laughed. And one of them said, Denis Law? Mr Shankly, you must know better than any man how much Law would cost. Huddersfield are already asking over fifty grand for the lad. He’s a player for the likes of Arsenal or Spurs. For Manchester United or City. Not for Liverpool Football Club.
And there’s your problem, said Bill Shankly. Right there. Right bloody there. Your thinking is the problem. You should be thinking Denis Law is a player for Liverpool Football Club. That only players as good as Denis Law can play for Liverpool Football Club …
But we don’t have the money, Mr Shankly.
You don’t have the ambition!
Tom Williams sat forward in his chair. Tom Williams put his hands out before him. And Tom Williams said, Mr Shankly, Mr Shankly, please. We all want the best for Liverpool Football Club. The very best. But we simply don’t have the money for Denis Law. I wish we did. I really do. But we don’t. But now what about Jack Charlton? Do you honestly think Leeds United would sell him? They are fighting for their lives in the First Division. They are hardly likely to sell one of their best players now, are they, Mr Shankly? Their centre-half?
I think they might. I think it’s at least worth asking.
Well then, ask them, Mr Shankly. Ask them.
…
After their late lunch, in the late afternoon. The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club were sitting in the boardroom at Elland Road, Leeds. The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club heard the footsteps in the corridor outside. The fast steps, the heavy steps. The knocks upon the door. Fast and heavy.
The chairman of Leeds United said, Come!
Bill Shankly opened the door. Bill Shankly stepped into the boardroom at Elland Road. Bill Shankly looked around the board room. From director to director. And Bill Shankly smiled –
My name is Bill Shankly. I am the manager of Liverpool Football Club. And I’m here to buy Jack Charlton.
The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club stared down the long table at Bill Shankly. And then their chairman asked, And how much would you be willing to pay for Charlton?
Fifteen thousand pounds, said Bill Shankly.
The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club shook their heads. And their chairman said, Charlton will cost you twenty thousand, Shankly. Twenty thousand pounds. And not a penny less.
How about eighteen thousand pounds, said Bill Shankly.
Twenty thousand pounds, Shankly.
Fine, said Bill Shankly. Twenty thousand pounds it is then. But I’ll need to make a telephone call.
The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club smiled. And their chairman said, Then make your call, Shankly.
After his early dinner, in the early evening. Tom Williams picked up the telephone in his hallway. And Tom Williams said, Yes?
Mr Williams? This is Bill Shankly.
Tom Williams said, Good evening, Mr Shankly. What can I –
I’m at Elland Road. At Leeds. And I have fantastic news. Unbelievable news! Leeds United will sell Jack Charlton to us. They will sell him. It’s unbelievable. It’s fantastic news!
Tom Williams said, I’m very glad to hear that, Mr Shankly. And so how much are they asking for Charlton?
Twenty thousand pounds. Just twenty thousand pounds, sir.
Tom Williams sighed. And Tom Williams said, But we sanctioned eighteen thousand pounds, Mr Shankly.
I know that. I know that, sir. But for two thousand pounds more, just two thousand pounds more, they will sell him. And then Jack Charlton will be a Liverpool player.
Tom Williams sighed again. And Tom Williams said, Mr Shankly, as you know, I have spoken with the other directors and I am afraid we can go no higher than eighteen thousand pounds. That is our final offer. Eighteen thousand pounds.
But I know they will not sell him for eighteen thousand pounds, Mr Williams. They are asking for twenty thousand pounds. Just another two thousand, Mr Williams …
Tom Williams said, But our offer is eighteen thousand pounds.
Mr Williams, I have watched Jack Charlton since he was in his teens. I have watched him many times. He plays with authority. He plays with courage. He will be the very backbone of Liverpool Football Club. The very backbone, Mr Williams. And all they want is another two grand. Another two grand and he’ll be ours. Ours …
Tom Williams said, I am sorry, Mr Shankly. It’s eighteen thousand pounds. That is our final offer. Goodbye, Mr Shankly.
After their brandies, with their cigars. The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club were sitting in the dining room at Elland Road. The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club heard the knock upon the door. Not so fast and not so heavy.