by David Peace
Well played, Don. Very well played, indeed. And thank Christ we won’t have to play you again this season, Don …
That night, Manchester United had thirty-five points. Manchester United still first in the First Division. But Leeds United had thirty-five points, too. And Leeds United were second in the First Division. Manchester City third. Derby County fourth. Sheffield United fifth. Wolverhampton Wanderers sixth. Tottenham Hotspur seventh. Arsenal Football Club eighth. That night, the new Liverpool Football Club had twenty-eight points. That night, the new Liverpool Football Club were ninth in the First Division –
Ninth. Only ninth.
One week afterwards, the new Liverpool Football Club travelled to Filbert Street, Leicester. And for the fourth League game in a row, the fourth League match in succession, the new Liverpool Football Club did not score. But Leicester City did score. And the new Liverpool Football Club lost one–nil to Leicester City. Away from home, away from Anfield.
On Saturday 15 January, 1972, the new Liverpool Football Club travelled to the Manor Ground, Oxford, to play Oxford United of the Second Division in the Third Round of the FA Cup. And they travelled with spark, and they travelled with fire. And they played with spark, and they played with fire. And in the forty-seventh minute, Kevin Keegan scored. And in the eighty-first minute, Keegan scored again. Three minutes later, Alec Lindsay scored. And the new Liverpool Football Club beat Oxford United three–nil in the Third Round of the FA Cup. Away from home, away from Anfield. But two days later, on the Monday lunchtime, the new Liverpool Football Club were drawn to play Leeds United in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. At home, at Anfield.
On Saturday 22 January, 1972, the new Liverpool Football Club travelled to Molineux, Wolverhampton. But in a dour game, in a miserable game, the new Liverpool Football Club could not score. They did not score. And the new Liverpool Football Club drew nil–nil with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Away from home, away from Anfield. That night, the new Liverpool Football Club were tenth in the First Division. Tenth. And the next morning, in the Sunday papers, people wrote that Liverpool Football Club were a faded side, a jaded side. A team going backwards, a team in retreat. That morning, in the papers. People wrote off Liverpool Football Club –
One week afterwards, Bill Shankly walked into the dressing room. The Anfield dressing room. Bill Shankly looked around the dressing room. The Liverpool dressing room. From player to player. From Clemence to Lawler, Lawler to Lindsay, Lindsay to Smith, Smith to Lloyd, Lloyd to Hughes, Hughes to Keegan, Keegan to Ross, Ross to Heighway, Heighway to Toshack and from Toshack to Callaghan. And Bill Shankly put his hand in his pocket. His coat pocket. Bill Shankly took out some cuttings. Newspaper cuttings. And Bill Shankly read from the cuttings –
You are a faded side. You are a jaded side. A team going backwards. A team in retreat. That is what people are saying about Liverpool Football Club, boys. That is what people are writing about Liverpool Football Club. But I know they are lying, boys. I know they are wrong. And I know today you are going to expose them as the liars they are, boys. You are going to show them they are wrong. Wrong about you, boys. And wrong about Liverpool Football Club. And I know the forty thousand people who have come here today do not believe them either, boys. Because I know the supporters of Liverpool Football Club believe in you. They believe in you, boys …
In the thirty-eighth minute, Chris Lawler scored. In the sixty-sixth minute, Chris Lawler scored again. In the seventy-second minute, Ian Callaghan scored. And in the eighty-second minute, Kevin Keegan scored. And the new Liverpool Football Club beat Crystal Palace four–one. At home, at Anfield.
One week later, Leeds United came back to Anfield, Liverpool. In the rain. That afternoon, fifty-six thousand, five hundred and ninety-eight folk came, too. In the rain. Fifty-six thousand, five hundred and ninety-eight folk to watch the new Liverpool Football Club play the old Leeds United in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. In the rain. The biggest crowd inside Anfield for nine years, the gates closed fifty minutes before kick-off. And sixteen minutes after kick-off, in the rain, Chris Lawler met a clearance from Bates. Lawler headed the ball down to John Toshack. Toshack on the edge of the penalty area. The Leeds penalty area. Sprake raced out towards Toshack. Toshack passed wide to Steve Heighway. Heighway eight yards from the goal. The Leeds goal. The Leeds goal gaping, the Leeds goal yawning. But Heighway miskicked the ball. The ball fell to Kevin Keegan. And Keegan shot. But the Leeds goal was no longer gaping, the Leeds goal no longer yawning. And the shot was cleared, the Leeds line cleared. And now Leeds United broke, now Leeds United attacked. In the rain. Lorimer breaking, Lorimer attacking. Lorimer lobbed the ball over Ray Clemence. But Clemence threw himself back, back after the lob. And Clemence saved. And then saved from Clarke. In the rain. And then again from Lorimer. And in the rain, Sprake saved from Lloyd. And in the rain, in the ninetieth minute, the referee blew his whistle. And Bill Shankly walked down the touchline. The Anfield touchline. In the rain. Bill Shankly shook the hand of Don Revie –
And so we’ll have to play each other again, Don. After all. And so I’ll see you soon, Don …
On Wednesday 9 February, 1972, the new Liverpool Football Club travelled to Elland Road to play the old Leeds United in the Fourth Round replay of the FA Cup. On the day of a Proclamation of Emergency. In a State of Emergency. Because the National Union of Mineworkers were on strike. Because the stocks of coal were falling. The kick-off brought forward to half past two in the afternoon. Because the Electricity Board could not guarantee there would lighting in the evening. Lighting for the floodlights, lighting for the ground. Because the power used for floodlights was not essential. Because football was not essential. In a State of Emergency. Ten thousand supporters of Liverpool Football Club travelled to Elland Road, Leeds. In a State of Emergency. Forty-five thousand, eight hundred and twenty-one folk came to Elland Road. In a State of Emergency. Hundreds were locked out of Elland Road. In a State of Emergency. Folk standing on the roof of the Old Peacock pub. In a State of Emergency. In the second minute of the Fourth Round replay of the FA Cup, Emlyn Hughes brought down Clarke. In a State of Emergency. In the thirteenth minute, Ian Callaghan passed to Steve Heighway. Heighway passed to Hughes. Hughes shot. And Hughes missed. In a State of Emergency. In the twenty-second minute, Bremner passed to Cooper. Cooper passed to Giles. Giles passed to Madeley. Madeley passed to Bremner. Bremner still breaking forward, Bremner still thrusting forward. Bremner twisting and Bremner turning. Bremner flipped the ball to Clarke. Chris Lawler bearing down on Clarke, Tommy Smith bearing down on Clarke, Larry Lloyd bearing down on Clarke, and Ray Clemence coming out towards Clarke. But Clarke flipped the ball over Clemence. Into the net and into a goal. In a State of Emergency. In the second half, Sprake saved from Callaghan. And Sprake saved from Bobby Graham. But in a State of Emergency. In the sixty-third minute, Giles passed to Clarke. Clarke out on the touchline. Clarke by the halfway flag. Clarke began to run. Lloyd went for Clarke. Clarke skipped over Lloyd. Clarke still running, Clarke still coming. Running at Clemence, coming at Clemence. And with a slight turn, with a sudden turn. Clarke left Clemence on the ground. The Elland Road ground. Clarke shot. And Clarke scored. And in a State of Emergency. The new Liverpool Football Club lost two–nil to the old Leeds United in the Fourth Round replay of the FA Cup. Away from home, away from Anfield. In a State of Emergency. Bill Shankly walked down the touchline. The Elland Road touchline. Bill Shankly shook the hand of Don Revie. And Bill Shankly shook his head –
Well played, Don. Very well played indeed. But you have to admit, Don. You have to say, there was not much in it. Not much but two clever goals, Don. Two very clever goals …
Don Revie smiled. And Don Revie said, It was a great game, Bill. A great game. And we could never relax, Bill. Because you always give us a game. A very hard game. But at least now you won’t have to play us again, Bill. Not this season …
On Saturday 12 February, 1972, Liverpool Football Club travelled to Leeds Road, Huddersfield. In a
State of Emergency. There was no heating in shops, there was no heating in offices. Offices and factories working for only three days a week. Heating allowed for only one room in a house, lighting allowed for only one room in a house. The kick-off of all football matches brought forward to half past two. To conserve energy, to save power. And in this State of Emergency. In the seventy-third minute, Jack Whitham scored. And Liverpool Football Club beat Huddersfield Town one–nil. Away from home, away from Anfield. In a State of Emergency. Liverpool Football Club had thirty-three points. Liverpool Football Club eighth in the First Division. Eighth.
One week afterwards, Sheffield United came to Anfield, Liverpool. In a State of Emergency. Forty-two thousand and five folk came, too. In a State of Emergency. In the forty-second minute, John Toshack scored. And in the eighty-second minute, Toshack scored again. And in a State of Emergency. Liverpool Football Club beat Sheffield United two–nil. At home, at Anfield. In a State of Emergency. Liverpool Football Club had thirty-five points. Liverpool Football Club sixth in the First Division. Sixth.
On Saturday 26 February, 1972, Manchester City came to Anfield, Liverpool. That Saturday afternoon, there was no longer a State of Emergency. The Proclamation of Emergency had been lifted. The National Union of Mineworkers had won. The National Union of Mineworkers would return to work on Monday. And that Saturday afternoon, fifty thousand and forty-seven folk came to Anfield, Liverpool, to watch Liverpool Football Club play Manchester City. Manchester City first in the First Division. In the thirty-seventh minute, Larry Lloyd scored. In the fifty-third minute, Kevin Keegan scored. And in the sixty-fifth minute, Bobby Graham scored. And Liverpool Football Club beat Manchester City three–nil. At home, at Anfield. That evening, Liverpool Football Club had thirty-seven points. Liverpool Football Club fifth in the First Division. Fifth.
One week later, Everton Football Club came to Anfield, Liverpool. That afternoon, fifty-three thousand, nine hundred and twenty-two Merseyside folk came, too. But Harry Catterick did not come. The manager of Everton Football Club was recovering from a heart attack. And in the first minute, Wright scored an own goal. And in the sixty-sixth minute, McLaughlin scored a second own goal. And in the seventy-fourth minute, Chris Lawler scored for Liverpool Football Club. And in the eighty-seventh minute, Emlyn Hughes scored for Liverpool Football Club. And Liverpool Football Club beat Everton Football Club four–nil. At home, at Anfield. That evening, Liverpool Football Club had thirty-nine points. Liverpool Football Club fourth in the First Division. Fourth.
On Saturday 18 March, 1972, Newcastle United came to Anfield, Liverpool. That afternoon, forty-three thousand, eight hundred and ninety-nine folk came, too. Forty-three thousand, eight hundred and ninety-nine folk and Malcolm Macdonald –
In the tunnel. The Anfield tunnel. At the top of the stairs. The Anfield stairs. Malcolm Macdonald looked up at the sign on the wall. The new sign on the old wall. And Malcolm Macdonald laughed, This is Anfield, eh? Well, we’ve come to the right ground then, lads. That’s very helpful. At least we know where we are.
You think it’s funny, do you, asked Bill Shankly. Well, you’ll find out soon enough where you are, son …
In the ninth minute, Chris Lawler scored. In the twenty-second minute, Kevin Keegan scored. In the thirty-ninth minute, John Toshack scored. In the sixty-third minute, Emlyn Hughes scored. And in the eighty-first minute, Steve Heighway scored. And Liverpool Football Club beat Newcastle United five–nil. At home, at Anfield. That evening, Liverpool Football Club had forty-two points. Liverpool Football Club were still fourth in the First Division. Still fourth.
On Saturday 25 March, 1972, Liverpool Football Club travelled to the Dell, Southampton. And in the fifty-second minute, John Toshack scored. And Liverpool Football Club beat Southampton Football Club one–nil. Away from home, away from Anfield. That evening, Manchester City had fifty points. Manchester City were first in the First Division. Derby County had forty-seven points. Derby County were second. Leeds United had forty-six points. Leeds United third. And Liverpool Football Club had forty-four points. Liverpool Football Club fourth in the First Division. Still fourth.
Three days afterwards, Stoke City came to Anfield, Liverpool. That evening, forty-two thousand, four hundred and eighty-nine folk came, too. And Ritchie scored a goal for Stoke City. The first goal Liverpool Football Club had conceded in seven games. But Burrows scored an own goal. And in the fifty-third minute, Kevin Keegan scored for Liverpool Football Club. And Liverpool Football Club beat Stoke City two–one. At home, at Anfield.
On Saturday 1 April, 1972, West Bromwich Albion came to Anfield, Liverpool. That afternoon, forty-six thousand, five hundred and sixty-four folk came, too. In the thirty-first minute, Tommy Smith scored a penalty. And in the fifty-eighth minute, Chris Lawler scored. And Liverpool Football Club beat West Bromwich Albion two–nil. At home, at Anfield. That afternoon, Derby County beat Leeds United. And Stoke City beat Manchester City. And that evening, Derby County had fifty-one points. And Derby County were first in the First Division. Manchester City had fifty points. Manchester City were second. Leeds United had forty-eight points. Leeds United third. And Liverpool Football Club had forty-eight points. Liverpool Football Club were still fourth in the First Division. Still fourth. But just three points behind Derby County. Just three points off first.
Two days afterwards, Bill Shankly walked into the dressing room. The away dressing room. Bill Shankly looked around the dressing room. From player to player. From Clemence to Lawler, Lawler to Lindsay, Lindsay to Smith, Smith to Lloyd, Lloyd to Hughes, Hughes to Keegan, Keegan to Hall, Hall to Heighway, Heighway to Toshack and from Toshack to Callaghan –
Bill Shankly took out eleven plastic men from his jacket pocket. Bill Shankly put the eleven plastic men on the table in the middle of the dressing room. Bill Shankly stared down at the eleven plastic men on the table. Bill Shankly picked them back up. The plastic men. Bill Shankly held them up. One by one. These plastic men –
Alex Stepney. Rubbish. Tommy O’Neil. Rubbish. Tony Dunne. Rubbish. Martin Buchan. Rubbish. Steve James. Rubbish. Alan Gowling. Rubbish. Willie Morgan. Rubbish. Ian Storey-Moore. Rubbish. Expensive rubbish. Overpriced rubbish …
Bill Shankly walked over to the bin in the corner of the dressing room. Bill Shankly dropped the eight plastic men into the bin. Bill Shankly walked back over to the table in the middle of the dressing room. Bill Shankly stared down at the three plastic men left on the table in the middle of the dressing room –
One of these men is a drunkard. One of these men is a cripple. And one of these men is a pensioner. Now are you telling me, boys. Are you telling me you can’t go out there and beat a drunkard, a cripple and a pensioner? Are you telling me you can’t go out there and beat these three men, boys …
In the sixtieth minute, Chris Lawler scored. Two minutes later, John Toshack scored. And in the eighty-fourth minute, Emlyn Hughes scored. And Liverpool Football Club beat Manchester United three–nil. Away from home, away from Anfield. Bill Shankly walked down the touchline. The Old Trafford touchline. Bill Shankly shook the hand of Frank O’Farrell. And Bill Shankly smiled –
Bad luck, Frank. Hard luck. But at least today you can’t claim you were robbed, Frank. At least today everybody saw you were murdered. The way we played today. The way we murdered you today, Frank. It was men against men. I’m sure you’ll agree, Frank. My young men against your very old men …
That night, Derby County had fifty-one points. Derby County were first in the First Division. But that night, Liverpool Football Club had fifty points. And Liverpool Football Club were second in the First Division. Second. Liverpool Football Club had taken twenty-two points from their last twelve games. Liverpool Football Club had scored twenty-seven goals in those last twelve games and Liverpool Football Club had conceded just two goals in those last twelve games. And Liverpool Football Club were just one point behind Derby County. Just one point off first. First.
On Grand National Day, Coventry City came to Anfiel
d, Liverpool. And that lunchtime, fifty thousand and sixty-three folk came, too. Fifty thousand and sixty-three folk and Ray Clemence, Chris Lawler, Alec Lindsay, Tommy Smith, Larry Lloyd, Emlyn Hughes, Kevin Keegan, Brian Hall, Steve Heighway, John Toshack and Ian Callaghan. The same eleven players who had started the last eight games for Liverpool Football Club. And that lunchtime, in the twenty-first minute, Keegan scored. In the sixty-seventh minute, Smith scored a penalty. And in the eighty-fifth minute, Toshack scored. And Liverpool Football Club beat Coventry City three–one. At home, at Anfield. And that lunchtime, Liverpool Football Club were first in the First Division. First. And that lunchtime, the supporters of Liverpool Football Club sang, We’re going to win the League! We’re going to win the League! Ee-aye-addio, we’re going to win the League …
Later that afternoon, Manchester City beat West Ham United. Derby County beat Sheffield United. And Leeds United beat Stoke City. And that evening, Derby County had fifty-four points. Derby County were first again in the First Division. And Leeds United had fifty-three points. Leeds United second in the First Division. And Liverpool Football Club had fifty-two points. Liverpool Football Club third in the First Division. But Liverpool Football Club had played one match less than Derby County. And Liverpool Football Club had a game in hand. A game to come. More games to come –
One week afterwards, Liverpool Football Club travelled to Upton Park, London. In the ninth minute, Ian Callaghan passed the ball to Kevin Keegan. Keegan floated the ball to Chris Lawler. Lawler flicked on the ball to John Toshack. And Toshack swept the ball into the net. And into a goal. And in the forty-sixth minute, Steve Heighway robbed Moore. Heighway took six strides. And Heighway shot. Into the net and into another goal. And Liverpool Football Club beat West Ham United two–nil. Away from home, away from Anfield. And that evening, Derby County had fifty-six points. Derby County still first in the First Division. Manchester City had fifty-five points. Manchester City second. And Liverpool Football Club had fifty-four points. Liverpool Football Club still third in the First Division. But Liverpool Football Club still had played one game less than Derby County and Manchester City. Liverpool Football Club still had a game in hand. Still a game to come –