by David Peace
The door to the office of Bill Shankly opened. And Chris Lawler stepped out of the office of Bill Shankly. Chris Lawler looked at Brian Hall, Chris Lawler smiled at Brian Hall. And Chris Lawler winked at Brian Hall. Chris Lawler held open the door to the office of Bill Shankly for Brian Hall. Brian Hall stepped into the office of Bill Shankly. And Brian Hall saw Bill Shankly –
Bill Shankly looked up from the pile of contracts on his desk. And Bill Shankly smiled –
Hello, Brian. How are you, son? Sit yourself down, son …
Brian Hall closed the door. And Brian Hall sat down.
Right, son. What do you think you’re worth?
Brian Hall looked across the desk at Bill Shankly. Brian Hall took a deep breath. And Brian Hall said, I think an eighty-quid-a-week rise, Boss. I think that’s what I’m worth …
Bill Shankly stared back across his desk at Brian Hall. Bill Shankly stuck out his chin. Bill Shankly stroked his chin. And then Bill Shankly stroked the sides of his face –
An eighty-pound-a-week rise, eh? That’s a lot of money, son. That’s a big rise. A very big rise, son.
Brian Hall shifted in his seat. And Brian Hall said, I know that, Boss. I know that. I know it is …
There won’t be many folk who pay to see you play who have ever had an eighty-pound-a-week rise in their pay. In fact, I doubt there’s one, son. Not one …
Brian Hall nodded. And Brian Hall said, I know that, Boss.
Well then, just as long as you do, son. As long as you remember that. Then OK, son. If that’s what you think you’re worth. Then that’s what I’ll give you, son. An eighty-pound-a-week rise. Now send in the next one, son …
Brian Hall stood up. And Brian Hall said, Thank you, Boss.
Bill Shankly looked back down at the pile of contracts on his desk. And Bill Shankly smiled –
After the parade, after John Smith had climbed down from the open-top bus, the new chairman of Liverpool Football Club had told Bill Shankly each player of Liverpool Football Club could have a one-hundred-pound-a-week rise as part of their new contract for the following season. The new season. Bill Shankly knew that was no way to run a football club. To run Liverpool Football Club. Bill Shankly knew no player of Liverpool Football Club would expect a one-hundred-pound-a-week pay rise. Bill Shankly knew no player of Liverpool Football Club would ever ask for a hundred-pound-a-week pay rise. And no player had asked him for a one-hundred-pound-a-week pay rise. Not one. Just as Bill Shankly knew no player would ever ask Matt Busby for a one-hundred-pound-a-week pay rise. Or ask Bill Nicholson, or ask Don Revie –
Not one player,
ever.
…
On Friday 24 August, 1973, the Friday before the first game of the 1973–74 season. The first match of the new season. At home, at Anfield. The players and the staff of Liverpool Football Club gathered around the table in the centre of the dressing room. The home dressing room. Around the green baize cloth on the table in the centre of the dressing room. The Liverpool dressing room. The eleven plastic men on the green baize cloth. The eleven red plastic men, each with a number on their back. Bill Shankly picked up the players one by one –
We need our keeper to get the ball out quick to the full-backs. To feed them fast. That’s the way. OK, Clem?
And Ray Clemence nodded.
Bill Shankly picked up the two plastic men with the numbers two and three on their backs –
And so we need numbers two and three to always be making themselves available. Always ready to push up. OK, Chris? OK, Alec?
And Chris Lawler nodded. And Alec Lindsay nodded.
Bill Shankly picked up the two plastic men with the numbers four and five on their backs –
Geoff Hurst will be up front for them tomorrow. You all know what he’s like. Big man, strong man. And good in the air. But he’ll be on his own. So numbers four and five, you should take it in turns to mark him. That way one of you gets a wee rest, but he never does. So talk to each other, work it out. OK, Larry?
And Larry Lloyd nodded. And Tommy Smith waited, waited for Bill Shankly to say his name. But Bill Shankly picked up the two plastic men with the numbers six and eight on their backs –
Six and eight. You need to be closing them down, cutting their supply lines. Starving them. And then feeding the ball out wide, fast as you can, out to the wings. To Cally and to Steve. OK, Emlyn? OK, Peter? You got that? You know what you’re doing?
And Emlyn Hughes nodded. Peter Cormack nodded. And Tommy Smith waited. And waited. And Tommy Smith looked across the room at Bob Paisley. Bob Paisley looking down at his feet. And Tommy Smith looked across the room at Joe Fagan. Joe Fagan looking down at his feet. And at the end of the meeting, Tommy Smith stood up. Tommy Smith walked over to Bill Shankly. And Tommy Smith said, Can I have a word please, Boss?
Sure, Tommy. Sure, son.
Bill Shankly and Tommy Smith stepped out of the dressing room. The home dressing room. Bill Shankly and Tommy Smith stood outside the dressing room in the corridor. The Anfield corridor. And Tommy Smith said, I never heard my name, Boss. I never heard you say my name. So I was just wondering if I’ll be playing, Boss?
I have no made my mind up, Tommy. No yet, son.
Tommy Smith nodded. And Tommy Smith said, OK, Boss.
…
The next day, Stoke City came to Anfield, Liverpool. That afternoon, fifty-two thousand, nine hundred and thirty-five folk came, too. Fifty-two thousand, nine hundred and thirty-five folk to watch the first game of the new season. At home, at Anfield. Bill Shankly walked into the dressing room. The home dressing room. Bill Shankly took out a piece of paper from his pocket. And Bill Shankly read out the names on the piece of paper –
Our team today will be Clemence, Lawler, Lindsay, Thompson, Lloyd, Hughes, Keegan, Cormack, Heighway, Boersma and Callaghan.
And Tommy Smith stared at Bill Shankly. Bill Shankly looking around the room. From player to player. From Clemence to Lawler, Lawler to Lindsay, Lindsay to Thompson, Thompson to Lloyd, Lloyd to Hughes, Hughes to Keegan, Keegan to Cormack, Cormack to Heighway, Heighway to Boersma and from Boersma to Callaghan. Bill Shankly not looking at Brian Hall, Bill Shankly not looking at John Toshack. And Bill Shankly not looking at Tommy Smith –
Tommy Smith got up from the bench in the dressing room. The home dressing room. Tommy Smith walked out of the dressing room. The Liverpool dressing room. Tommy Smith walked down the corridor. The Anfield corridor. And Tommy Smith heard the dressing-room door open behind him. Tommy Smith heard the boots in the corridor behind him. Tommy Smith heard the studs on the stairs in the tunnel. The Anfield tunnel. And then Tommy Smith heard the roar of the crowd. The Anfield crowd …
That afternoon, there was a bomb scare at Villa Park, Birmingham. There was a bomb scare at Belle Vue, Doncaster. That afternoon, there was fighting between some of the supporters of Derby County and Chelsea Football Club. Fighting between some of the supporters of Arsenal Football Club and Manchester United. That afternoon, there were stabbings at Euston Station, London. That afternoon, thirty-nine players were booked. And two sent off. That afternoon, there were forty thousand less people watching football matches than the year before. But not in Liverpool, not at Anfield –
In the sixth minute, Steve Heighway scored. And Liverpool Football Club beat Stoke City one–nil. At home, at Anfield.
Three days afterwards, Liverpool Football Club travelled to Highfield Road, Coventry. In the twentieth minute, Peter Cormack headed the ball down to Kevin Keegan. Keegan struck the ball. A perfect volley. And the ball struck the post. The Coventry post. One minute later, Stein headed the ball down to Hutchinson. Hutchinson struck the ball. A perfect volley. And the ball struck the back of the net and the back of the goal. And Liverpool Football Club lost one–nil to Coventry City. Away from home, away from Anfield.
On Saturday 1 September, 1973, Liverpool Football Club travelled to Filbert Street, Leicester. And in the fiftieth minute, John Toshack scored. But Birchenall scored, too. And
Liverpool Football Club drew one-all with Leicester City. Away from home, away from Anfield. That evening, Leeds United had six points. And Leeds United were first in the First Division. Unbeaten. That evening, the Champions of England had three points. And the Champions of England were twelfth in the First Division.
On Tuesday 4 September, 1973, Derby County came to Anfield, Liverpool. That evening, forty-five thousand, two hundred and thirty-seven folk came, too. But not Alec Lindsay. Alec Lindsay was ill. At home, at Anfield. Bill Shankly walked into the dressing room. The home dressing room. Bill Shankly took out a piece of paper from his pocket. And Bill Shankly looked at Tommy Smith –
Our team today will be Clemence, Lawler, Thompson, Smith, Lloyd, Hughes, Keegan, Cormack, Heighway, Toshack and Callaghan. That’s us tonight, boys. So come on …
In the thirty-fifth minute, from thirty yards out, Phil Thompson shot and Thompson scored. His first goal for Liverpool Football Club. In the eighty-fifth minute, Kevin Keegan took a penalty. And Keegan scored the penalty. And Liverpool Football Club beat Derby County two–nil. At home, at Anfield.
Four days afterwards, Chelsea Football Club came to Anfield, Liverpool. That afternoon, forty-seven thousand and sixteen folk came, too. In the thirty-fifth minute, Kevin Keegan scored. In the second half, Keegan took a penalty. And Bonetti saved the penalty. But it didn’t matter, it didn’t count. Liverpool Football Club beat Chelsea Football Club one–nil. At home, at Anfield. That evening, Leeds United had ten points. Leeds United still first in the First Division. Still unbeaten. Burnley Football Club had nine points. And Burnley Football Club were second in the First Division. Liverpool Football Club, Coventry City, Leicester City, Manchester City and Derby County all had seven points. But the Champions of England were third in the First Division. On goal average.
On Wednesday 12 September, 1973, Liverpool Football Club travelled to the Baseball Ground, Derby. But John Toshack did not travel with Liverpool Football Club. John Toshack was injured again. Phil Boersma travelled to the Baseball Ground, Derby. And Phil Boersma played. In the tenth minute, Gemmill crossed for Hector. Hector shot. The shot was blocked, the shot rebounded. And Davies shot and Davies scored. In the twenty-sixth minute, Kevin Keegan passed to Boersma. Boersma shot. And Boersma scored. In the fortieth minute, Hector crossed the ball. McFarland met the cross. And McFarland scored. Five minutes later, Davies passed to Hector. Hector shot. And Hector scored. But the goal was disallowed. For offside. But in the fifty-fifth minute, again Davies passed to Hector. And again Hector shot. The shot hit Ian Callaghan. The shot flew off Callaghan. And the shot flew over Ray Clemence. Into the net and into the goal. And Liverpool Football Club lost three–one to Derby County. Away from home, away from Anfield. Bill Shankly walked down the touchline. The touchline at the Baseball Ground. And Bill Shankly shook the hand of Brian Clough –
Well played, Brian. Very well played indeed, son. I’d heard a whisper that all was not well here. But obviously not, son …
Brian Clough laughed. And Brian Clough said, Thank you, Mr Shankly. Thank you very much, sir. It’s true we’ve had our ups and our downs. But it’s nothing I can’t handle, sir …
On Saturday 15 September, 1973, Liverpool Football Club travelled to St Andrew’s, Birmingham. But Steve Heighway did not travel to St Andrew’s, Birmingham. Steve Heighway was injured. Derek Brownbill travelled to St Andrew’s, Birmingham. And Derek Brownbill played. His first game for Liverpool Football Club, his only game for Liverpool Football Club. In the seventy-first minute, Liverpool Football Club were losing one–nil to Birmingham City. And Bill Shankly took off Derek Brownbill. Bill Shankly sent on Brian Hall. And in the eighty-fifth minute, Hall scored. And Liverpool Football Club drew one-all with Birmingham City. Away from home, away from Anfield. That evening, Leeds United had fourteen points. Leeds United still first in the First Division. Still unbeaten. That evening, the Champions of England had eight points. And the Champions of England were eighth in the First Division. Eighth.
Four days afterwards, the Champions of England came to the Stade de la Frontière, in Esch-sur-Alzette, in Luxembourg, to play AS la Jeunesse d’Esch of Luxembourg in the first leg of the First Round of the European Cup. Some of the players of AS la Jeunesse d’Esch were part-time footballers. Some of the players of AS la Jeunesse d’Esch had other jobs. Some of them were steelworkers, some of them were postmen. In the forty-third minute, Brian Hall scored for Liverpool Football Club. But in the last minute, the very last minute, Gilbert Dussier scored for AS la Jeunesse d’Esch. And the Champions of England drew one-all with AS la Jeunesse d’Esch of Luxembourg in the first leg of the First Round of the European Cup. Away from home, away from Anfield.
On Saturday 22 September, 1973, Tottenham Hotspur came to Anfield, Liverpool. That afternoon, forty-two thousand, nine hundred and one folk came, too. Forty-two thousand, nine hundred and one folk and Alec Lindsay. Alec Lindsay no longer ill, Alec Lindsay fit to play. That afternoon, Phil Thompson did not play. Phil Thompson dropped. That afternoon, Peters scored first for Tottenham Hotspur. And in the twenty-eighth minute, Chris Lawler equalised for Liverpool Football Club. But Chivers scored again for Tottenham Hotspur. And in the seventy-sixth minute, Alec Lindsay equalised with a penalty. And in the last minute, the very last minute, Lawler scored again for Liverpool Football Club. And Liverpool Football Club beat Tottenham Hotspur three–two. At home, at Anfield.
One week later, Liverpool Football Club travelled to Old Trafford, Manchester. There was wind and there was rain. High winds and heavy rains. And there was lightning and there was thunder. But there were no goals. And Liverpool Football Club drew nil–nil with Manchester United. Away from home, away from Anfield. That evening, Leeds United had seventeen points. Leeds United still first in the First Division. Still unbeaten. That evening, the Champions of England had eleven points. The Champions of England seventh in the First Division. Seventh.
On Wednesday 3 October, 1973, AS la Jeunesse d’Esch of Luxembourg came to Anfield, Liverpool. That evening, twenty-eight thousand, seven hundred and fourteen folk came, too. Twenty-eight thousand, seven hundred and fourteen folk to watch the Champions of England play AS la Jeunesse d’Esch of Luxembourg in the second leg of the First Round of the European Cup. In the forty-seventh minute, Emlyn Hughes shot. And the shot hit Mond. The shot deflected off Mond. And into the net and into a goal. In the fifty-sixth minute, Hughes shot again. Hoffman palmed away the shot. The ball fell to John Toshack. And Toshack shot. Into the open goal, into the yawning net. And the Champions of England beat AS la Jeunesse d’Esch of Luxembourg two–nil in the second leg of the First Round of the European Cup. At home, at Anfield.
Three days afterwards, Newcastle United came to Anfield, Liverpool. That afternoon, forty-five thousand, six hundred and twelve folk came, too. In the twentieth minute, Peter Cormack scored. In the eighty-sixth minute, Alec Lindsay scored another penalty. And Liverpool Football Club beat Newcastle United two–one. At home, at Anfield. That evening, Leeds United had eighteen points. Leeds United still first in the First Division. Leeds United still unbeaten. That evening, the Champions of England had thirteen points. The Champions of England fifth in the First Division. Fifth.
Two days later, Liverpool Football Club travelled to Upton Park, London, to play West Ham United in the Second Round of the Football League Cup. In the thirty-fourth minute, Peter Cormack scored. Five minutes later, MacDougall equalised for West Ham United. In the fifty-fifth minute, Ian Callaghan passed to Steve Heighway. Heighway darted between Coleman and McDowell. Day came out towards Heighway. But Heighway stretched the ball round Day. Into the net and into the goal. But in the eighty-third minute, Brooking crossed the ball. MacDougall headed the ball back across the goal. The ball bounced across the goal. Robson raised his foot. His foot met the bounce. And the ball went into the net and into the goal. And Liverpool Football Club drew two-all with West Ham United in the Second Round of the Football League Cup. Away from home, away from Anfield. There would have to be
a replay.
On Saturday 13 October, 1973, Liverpool Football Club travelled to the Dell, Southampton. In the seventh minute, Larry Lloyd hooked up Channon in the penalty area. Channon took the penalty. And Channon scored the penalty. And Liverpool Football Club lost one–nil to Southampton Football Club. Away from home, away from Anfield. That season, Liverpool Football Club had yet to win away from home, away from Anfield. That evening, Leeds United had nineteen points. Leeds United first in the First Division. Leeds United still unbeaten. That evening, the Champions of England had thirteen points. The Champions of England seventh in the First Division. Seventh again, only seventh.
One week afterwards, Liverpool Football Club travelled to Elland Road, Leeds. That afternoon, forty-four thousand, nine hundred and eleven folk came, too. Forty-four thousand, nine hundred and eleven folk to watch the current leaders of the First Division, the unbeaten leaders of the First Division, play the Champions of England. Forty-four thousand, nine hundred and eleven folk and Miljan Miljanić. Miljan Miljanić was the coach of Fudbalski Klub Crvena Zvezda Beograd. In four days, Liverpool Football Club would play Fudbalski Klub Crvena Zvezda Beograd in the first leg of the Second Round of the European Cup. Away from home, away from Anfield. On Saturday 20 October, 1973, in the thirtieth minute of the first half, Clarke passed to Bremner. Bremner passed to Lorimer. Lorimer crossed the ball. Jones met the cross. And Jones headed the ball. Into the net and into a goal. The winning goal. And Liverpool Football Club lost one–nil to Leeds United. Away from home, away from Anfield.