LOOKING BACK: SHANKLY WAS A BLUEBIRD

Bill Shankly is known as one of the finest managers in the history of the game, and the man who built Liverpool into a major force in world football.

He is remembered every bit as fondly by Saturday’s opponents Preston North End too, having represented the Lilywhites for the vast majority of his playing career - famously winning the FA Cup in 1938.



Shankly has been immortalised by both Liverpool and Preston with a statue outside Anfield (below), while his face is etched into the Bill Shankly Kop at Deepdale as seen above.



However, you may not have known that the midfielder also pulled on a Cardiff City shirt...

Shankly’s career as a footballer spanned either side of the Second World War, during which time players stationed in the Armed Forces could make guest appearances for local Clubs.

As a result, the Scotland international turned out for several sides in war-time regional league football – including Liverpool’s arch rivals, Everton.


In October 1942, Cardiff City manager Cyril Spiers heard that the 28 year-old Shankly was based at St Athan RAF station in South Wales.

The City boss got in contact and invited him to play for the Bluebirds at Ninian Park in a regional League West match against Lovells Athletic, a factory-sponsored side based in Newport.

So, on October 3rd 1942 in front of 4,000 spectators, Bill Shankly played for Cardiff City and helped the side to a 3-1 victory.

Next up for City was another fixture away to Swansea. However, Shankly wasn’t to be involved – as he switched sides to play for Lovells Athletic the following week. William Shankly's legacy as a player and manager is fondly remembered by the footballing world each day - including his 100% win record as a Bluebird!