by David Peace
On Boxing Day, 1972, Liverpool Football Club travelled to Bramall Lane, Sheffield. In the twenty-seventh minute, Phil Boersma scored. In the fiftieth minute, Chris Lawler scored. And in the eighty-first minute, Steve Heighway scored. And Liverpool Football Club beat Sheffield United three–nil. Away from home, away from Anfield. And that evening, that Boxing Day evening, Leeds United had thirty-three points. Arsenal Football Club had thirty-four points. And Liverpool Football Club had thirty-six points. That evening, that Boxing Day evening, Liverpool Football Club were still first in the First Division. Still first, by two points.
On Saturday 30 December, 1972, Crystal Palace came to Anfield, Liverpool. That afternoon, that last Saturday afternoon of 1972, fifty thousand, eight hundred and sixty-two folk came, too. In the sixty-sixth minute, Peter Cormack scored. And Liverpool Football Club beat Crystal Palace one–nil. At home, at Anfield. And that Saturday evening, that last Saturday evening of 1972, Leeds United were still third in the First Division. Arsenal Football Club still second in the First Division. And Liverpool Football Club were still first in the First Division. Still first,
by two points.
…
After their training. At Melwood. After their baths. At Anfield. Bill Shankly and the players and the staff of Liverpool Football Club went upstairs for their lunch. Bill Shankly and the players and the staff ate their steak and chips. Bill Shankly and the players and the staff ate their tinned fruit and cream. And then Bill Shankly and the players and the staff went back out into the car park. Bill Shankly and the players and the staff got back on the bus. Bill Shankly and the players and the staff went to Lime Street Station on the bus. Bill Shankly and the players and the staff got off their bus at Lime Street Station. And Bill Shankly and the players and the staff got onto the front coach of the Liverpool Pullman at Lime Street Station. Bill Shankly and the players and the staff sat on the train to London. Bill Shankly with his book. His book of names, his book of notes. The players with their cards. Their packs of cards, their schools of cards. All the way to London, all the way to Euston Station. And then Bill Shankly and the players and the staff stood up. Bill Shankly and the players and the staff put on their coats. Bill Shankly and the players and the staff picked up their bags. Bill Shankly and the players and the staff got off the Liverpool Pullman at Euston Station. Bill Shankly and the players and the staff stepped onto Platform Three at Euston Station. And now Bill Shankly saw the lights. The bright lights. Bill Shankly saw the cameras. The television cameras. Bill Shankly saw the microphone. The television microphone. And Bill Shankly saw the book. The red book –
Bill Shankly, said Eamonn Andrews –
This is your life …
42. WE KNOW NEITHER THE DAY, NOR THE HOUR
On the bench, the bench at Upton Park. In the seventy-fifth minute, Bill watched Emlyn Hughes pass to Steve Heighway. Heighway took the pass on his chest, Heighway killed the pass with his chest. Heighway wrong-footed McDowell and Heighway crossed for Kevin Keegan. Keegan jumped, Keegan leapt. On spring heels. Keegan headed the ball. Into the net and into the goal. The winning goal.
In the dressing room, the away dressing room at Upton Park. Bill pulled the brim of his trilby down low. Bill stepped into the corridor at Upton Park. And Bill grinned at the gentlemen of the London sporting press. And Bill said, What you gentlemen saw today, what you were lucky enough to watch, what you were privileged enough to witness, was total commitment. Total dedication. Total enthusiasm. Total self-belief. And total skill. And so that is what I call ‘Total Football’, gentlemen. Total Liverpool football.
…
On the bench, the bench at Turf Moor. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club play Burnley Football Club in the Third Round of the FA Cup. Burnley Football Club were top of the Second Division, Liverpool Football Club top of the First Division. And on the bench, the bench at Turf Moor, Bill watched John Toshack have chance after chance. But Toshack missed chance after chance. And Liverpool Football Club did not score. And Burnley Football Club did not score. And Liverpool Football Club drew nil–nil with Burnley Football Club in the Third Round of the FA Cup. Away from home, away from Anfield. Another draw, another bloody draw. There would have to be another replay, another bloody replay. Another game, another bloody game.
…
In the office, at his desk. With his glue and with his scissors. Bill put down the newspaper. And Bill put on his thinking cap –
In the week before Christmas, the chairman and the directors of Manchester United had sacked Frank O’Farrell. And the chairman and the directors of Manchester United had appointed Tommy Docherty as their new manager. Bill knew Tommy, Bill liked Tommy. Bill hoped Tommy would do well. And Bill had wished Tommy good luck. Before he was appointed as the manager of Manchester United, Tommy had been the manager of the Scottish national team. Tommy had been bringing new players into the Scottish national team, young players. Players like Kenny Dalglish, players like Lou Macari. Bill knew Tommy would have to bring new players to Manchester United, young players. Players like Lou Macari. Lou Macari played for the Celtic Football Club. But Bill knew Lou Macari was not happy playing for the Celtic Football Club. Not happy playing for Jock Stein. Lou Macari wanted more money to play for the Celtic Football Club. And Jock Stein would not pay him more money to play for the Celtic Football Club. Lou Macari had had enough of the Celtic Football Club. And Lou Macari had had enough of Jock Stein. And Jock Stein had had enough of Lou Macari. Jock had called Bill. And Jock had told Bill that Lou Macari was unhappy. That Lou Macari wanted away. Away from Celtic, away from Scotland. Bill had seen Lou Macari play for the Celtic Football Club and for the Scottish national team. And Bill had liked what he had seen. Bill liked Lou Macari. Jock told Bill he would sell Lou Macari to Liverpool Football Club if Bill wanted Lou Macari. Bill did want Lou Macari. Bill thought Lou Macari was just the player they needed. Just the player they needed to stay first in the First Division. Just the player they needed to guarantee they finished the season first in the First Division. Champions of England –
And so how much do Celtic want for Macari, asked the chairman of Liverpool Football Club. How much are they asking?
Two hundred thousand pounds. And before you say another word. I know two hundred thousand pounds is a lot of money. But this player is still only twenty-three years old. Just twenty-three years old. And this player has already scored fifty-seven goals in just one hundred games. And he has scored many of those goals as a substitute. And many of those goals have been vital goals. Winning goals. I believe this player has that knack. That magic knack of getting vital goals. Vital goals that win vital matches. Goals that win cups, goals that win trophies. Goals that win championships …
Very well, said the chairman of Liverpool Football Club. If you believe this is the player we need. The player we need to secure the League. And if the Celtic Football Club are willing to sell Lou Macari for two hundred thousand pounds. Then we will give you the money to buy him, Mr Shankly.
Back in the office, back at his desk. Bill phoned Jock Stein. And then Bill phoned Lou Macari. Bill invited Lou Macari down to Liverpool, down to Anfield, to watch Liverpool Football Club play Burnley Football Club in the replay of the Third Round of the FA Cup. And Lou Macari came down to Liverpool, down to Anfield. Lou Macari was the guest of honour of Liverpool Football Club. Lou Macari sat in the stands with the chairman and the directors of Liverpool Football Club. That night, fifty-six thousand, one hundred and twenty-four folk were in the stands at Anfield, Liverpool, too. And Lou Macari watched John Toshack score twice. And Peter Cormack score once. And Lou Macari watched Liverpool Football Club beat Burnley Football Club three–nil in the replay of the Third Round of the FA Cup. And after the game, after the match, Bill invited Lou Macari down to his office. And Bill put a contract down on his desk in front of Lou Macari. And Bill put a pen on top of the contract in front of Lou Macari. And Bill said, After what you have seen tonight, son. After what you have heard tonight. The team you have
seen and the supporters you have heard. I’m certain I do not need to convince you to sign for Liverpool Football Club, son. I am sure you need no more persuading. I am certain you are already convinced. I am sure you are already persuaded. This team is as good as the one you are leaving, these supporters as great as the ones you are leaving. And I’ve always said this city is very similar to Glasgow, son. So I think you’ll find Liverpudlians very similar to Glaswegians. In their humour and in their warmth. And so you’ll feel at home, son. Very much at home.
Lou Macari looked down at the pen on top of the contract on the desk. And then Lou Macari looked up at Bill Shankly –
It’s a very big move for me, Mr Shankly. And so I would be very grateful if you’d give me a little bit more time to think about it and to talk it over with my family, sir.
Bill nodded. And Bill said, Of course, son. Of course. You should always talk things over with your family. But you tell them from me. You tell them from Bill Shankly, that we will look after you, son. And so I’ll see you tomorrow. First thing tomorrow, son. Bright and early. After you’ve had a good chat with your family, son. And after you’ve had a good night’s sleep. I’ll see you with a pen and I’ll see you with your boots, son …
In the office, at his desk. Bright and early. Bill waited for Lou Macari. And Bill waited and Bill waited. But Lou Macari did not come back to Anfield, Liverpool. Not with his pen and not with his boots. Lou Macari went to Old Trafford, Manchester. With his pen and with his boots. Lou Macari signed for Manchester United. Manchester United and Tommy Docherty. And in the office, at his desk. Bill cursed. And Bill cursed. Bill picked up the telephone. Bill phoned Jock Stein. And Bill said, What the hell happened with Macari, John?
Manchester gold, said Jock Stein. That’s what happened, Bill.
So how much have they offered you for him, John?
The same as you, said Jock Stein. But apparently they have offered the boy double the wages you were offering him …
Double the wages? They must be desperate.
I am sorry, said Jock Stein. I’m very sorry for all the trouble he’s caused you, Bill. And I’m sorry for any embarrassment the greedy little bastard might have caused you, too …
Bill laughed. And Bill said, You’ve nothing to apologise to me for, John. To be honest, the boy has probably made the right choice. After all, United can give him something I could never have given him. Something more than bloody money …
You what, said Jock Stein. What on earth can Manchester United give him that Liverpool could not have given him, Bill?
First-team fucking football, John. That’s what.
…
On the bench, the Anfield bench. Bill and forty-five thousand, nine hundred and ninety-six folk were watching Liverpool Football Club play Derby County. In the twenty-third minute, they watched John Toshack score. But they also watched Davies score for Derby County. And Liverpool Football Club drew one-all with Derby County. At home, at Anfield. Another draw. But the first draw at home this season, the first point dropped at Anfield this season. The only point dropped at home, the only point lost at Anfield. And that evening, Liverpool Football Club were still first in the First Division –
Still first, by two points.
On the bench, the bench at Molineux. Bill watched Emlyn Hughes score an own goal. And in the seventeenth minute, Bill watched Kevin Keegan equalise. But then Bill watched Richards score for Wolverhampton Wanderers. And Liverpool Football Club lost two–one to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Away from home, away from Anfield. That evening, Liverpool Football Club were still first in the First Division. But by just one point –
Just one point.
On the bench, the Anfield bench. Bill and fifty-six thousand, two hundred and ninety-six folk were watching Liverpool Football Club play Manchester City in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. But that afternoon, they did not see Liverpool Football Club score. And they did not see Manchester City score. And Liverpool Football Club drew nil–nil with Manchester City in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. At home, at Anfield. Yet another draw. Yet another
replay. Yet another
game –
On the bench, the bench at Maine Road. Bill was watching the forty-sixth game Liverpool Football Club had played this season, their eighteenth cup tie of the season. And on a night of sweeping rain, on a sodden field, Bill watched Towers pass to Donachie. Donachie passed to Lee. Lee shot. And Ray Clemence pushed the shot away. But the ball fell to Bell. Bell shot. And Bell scored. And then on this night of sweeping rain, on this sodden field, Bill watched Summerbee float a free kick over the Liverpool defence. Bell touched the free kick on to Booth. Booth shot. And Booth scored. And on this night of sweeping rain, on this sodden pitch, Liverpool Football Club lost two–nil to Manchester City in the replay of the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. Away from home, away from Anfield. In their forty-sixth game of the season, their eighteenth cup tie of the season. Liverpool Football Club had been drenched again, Liverpool Football Club soaked again. Liverpool Football Club drained –
Drained and exhausted. On the bench, the Anfield bench. Bill and forty-nine thousand, eight hundred and ninety-eight folk were watching Liverpool Football Club play Arsenal Football Club. Arsenal Football Club were second in the First Division. Arsenal Football Club just one point behind Liverpool Football Club. Just one point. That was all there was between first and second. Between Liverpool Football Club and Arsenal Football Club. And in the first half, Bill and the forty-nine thousand, eight hundred and ninety-eight folk watched Liverpool Football Club attack and attack. And Kevin Keegan shot. And Keegan missed by inches. And now they watched Arsenal Football Club attack and attack. And Ray Clemence saved from Radford. And at half-time, there was nothing to choose between Liverpool Football Club and Arsenal Football Club. Nothing to choose but one point. And in the second half, Bill and forty-nine thousand, eight hundred and ninety-eight folk watched Liverpool Football Club attack and attack again. And Ian Callaghan shot. And Callaghan missed by inches. And Wilson saved from Brian Hall. And now they watched Arsenal Football Club attack and attack again. And Armstrong charged into the penalty area. Alec Lindsay hooked up Armstrong. The referee blew his whistle. The referee awarded a penalty to Arsenal Football Club. Ball took the penalty. And Ball scored the penalty. And seven minutes later, Radford charged towards the penalty area. Radford skipped past Clemence. Clemence out of his area. And Radford shot. Into the net, the empty net. And into a goal. And Liverpool Football Club lost two–nil to Arsenal Football Club. At home, at Anfield. That evening, Arsenal Football Club had forty-two points. And Liverpool Football Club had forty-one points. That evening, Arsenal Football Club were first in the First Division. And Liverpool Football Club were second in the First Division –
Second again. Second best again,
the bridesmaid again. Always
the bridesmaid, never
the bride.
…
In the house, in their hallway. In the night and in the silence. Bill took off his coat, Bill took off his hat. Bill hung up his coat and Bill hung up his hat. And in the dark and in the silence. Bill heard Ness cough. Not upstairs, downstairs. In the dark and in the silence. Bill went into the front room. Bill switched on the light. And Bill saw Ness. In her chair. And Bill said, What are you doing down here, love? Sat in the dark, love? Are you OK, love? Why are you not upstairs, love? Why are you not in your bed, love? Are you OK, love?
I’m sorry, said Ness. I must have nodded off, love. I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m very sorry, love …
In the front room, in her chair. Ness tried to stand. To get to her feet. But Ness sat back down. Back down in her chair –
I’m sorry, love. I’m sorry …
Bill put his hand on Ness. Bill felt her forehead. And Bill said, Christ, love. You’re burning up, love. I’m calling the doctor, love. Stay still, love. Stay there, love …
Bill ran out into the hall. Bill picked up the telephone. Bill rang the doctor. Bill called the doctor out
. And then Bill went back into the front room. Bill sat down beside Ness. Bill held her hand. And Bill waited for the doctor to come. The doctor came. The doctor looked at Ness. The doctor listened to her chest. The doctor took her temperature. And then the doctor went out into the hall. The doctor picked up the telephone. The doctor rang the hospital. The doctor asked for an ambulance. Bill stayed sat beside Ness. Bill held her hand. And Bill waited for the ambulance to come. The ambulance came. The ambulance staff looked at Ness. The ambulance staff carried Ness out to the ambulance. The ambulance staff put Ness into the back of the ambulance. Bill got into the back of the ambulance. Bill sat beside Ness in the back of the ambulance. Bill held her hand. Bill squeezed her hand. And the ambulance took Ness to the hospital. The ambulance staff carried Ness out of the ambulance. The ambulance staff took Ness into the hospital. The nurses helped Ness into a wheelchair. The nurses wheeled Ness upstairs into a ward. The nurses lifted Ness onto a bed. The nurses helped Ness undress. The nurses helped Ness settle into her bed. Her hospital bed. Ness lay in her bed. Her hospital bed. And Ness looked at Bill sat beside her bed. Her hospital bed –
I’m sorry, said Ness. I’m sorry about all this …
Please stop saying sorry, love. It’s me who should be saying sorry to you, love. Me who should have been home sooner …
Ness shook her head. And Ness smiled –
Did you win, asked Ness. Today?
No, love. We lost two–nil.
Ness shook her head again. And Ness closed her eyes –
I’m sorry, said Ness again. I’m sorry, love.
Bill stood up. Bill leant over the bed. Bill kissed Ness on her forehead. And Bill said, It doesn’t matter, love. It doesn’t matter. You just rest, love. You just sleep now, love …