#and knows he's safe to turn to his boy!! his son!!! his goal-scorer!! he's so proud!!!!!

[torentialtribute]

How Sportsmail made sure Bill Shankly got to 1977 European Cup final

The alarm was set for five minutes to seven hours of a spring morning 42 years ago.

There were two periods in a day when Shanks preferred to speak on the phone. At 7 or shortly before midnight. Times when he could be sure to be home with his beloved Nessie.

Sir Matt Busby and Don Revie were accustomed to continue to chat until the wee hours. Often strange, on a Friday night before his boys played Manchester United or Leeds on Saturday.

Bill Shankly (left) sits next to Sportsmail & Jeff Powell at the 1977 European Cup Final in Rome "

<img id =" i-be15ed187f72680c "src =" https : //i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/05/26/20/13986292-7072973-Bill_Shankly_left_sits_next_to_Sportsmail_s_Jeff_Powell_at_the_1-m-12_1558900450741.jpg "height =" 471 "width =" 634 "alt =" (left) is seated next to Jeff Powell of Sportsmail at the 1977 European Cup Final in Rome Bill Shankly (left) sits next to Sportsmail & Jeff Powell at the European Cup Final of 1977 in Rome

The custom continued for a long time after his sad departure from Anfield, but I wanted to catch him early to gather his opinion about the upcoming Rome finale in which Liverpool was destined to to win the first European Cup.

We talked for almost an hour and when we were about to hang up, I said: & # 39; Thank you, Bill. I'll see you in Rome. & # 39; A short silence fell. Then he replied: "Not me, son. Not invited. & # 39; What? Not invited Bill Shankly?

So deep was the shock that it took me to recover today. Okay, he was three years earlier with the board dropped out when he retired.

But not so much as a ticket for the Olympic Stadium?

I called him the next morning at seven o'clock: & # 39; Listen, Bill You are coming with me to Rome The Mail is repairing a press pass for the game I will contact you with the travel details & # 39; & # 39; Are you sure, son? & # 39; & # 39 Absolutely. & # 39;

The appointments were made but at 7 am on Friday morning five days before the end I called back: & # 39; Hello, son. I thought you should know the club had told him to go with them. & # 39; & # 39; Don't worry, Bill. I understand it's more fun when you're at the party, especially with the boys. & # 39; & # 39; No , no, I'm coming with you and z e are ashamed. You invited me and I'm still coming with you. If that's okay. & # 39; More than good

We met at Heathrow on Monday morning. I arrived early. In a gray suit, his Liverpool tie, his red and white Liverpool scarf around his shoulders, with a small, battered weekend bag. A group of fans bothered him when checking in.

Only one bill lean.

<img id = "i-c7ecfc4e798349f3" src = "https://dailym.ai/2VUHlH3 image-a-39_1558899419008.jpg "height =" 420 "width =" 634 "alt =" Emlyn Hughes all smiles while lifting the European Cup in 1977 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome when he lifts the European Cup in 1977 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome "

Emlyn Hughes all smiles while lifting the European Cup in 1977 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome

Those in the same plane took turns taking turns seat and he talked and chuckled with them during the flight. Our taxi driver from Fiumicino airport recognized him and refused to accept a ride for the ride.

We were booked in the Excelsior, on the Via Veneto. Historical resting place of prime ministers, presidents and kings. Home from home for Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, Gina Lollobridgida and Isabella Rossellini. Channeled water well for Anita Ekberg while filming La Dolce Vita.

In 1977 this was the largest of all Roman hotels. Carved glass chandelier. Covered in velvet and gold. At the counter they presented two elegant keys with long keys. Shanks looked at his and asked: & # 39; What is this for? & # 39; I told him that two rooms were reserved. The nicest in the house. On the first floor with high French windows that open onto balconies overlooking the Via Veneto.

& # 39; Why two? & # 39; I asked, with a touch of fear. & # 39; They are adjacent to each other & # 39 ;, I tried to reassure him.

& # 39; But I share a room while traveling, & # 39; he said. & # 39; Always done. Because I was a little kid in the reserves. At every club. And the manager. Always. & # 39; I asked the receptionist about the layout of the rooms. The best, with a huge four-poster bed and the sitting room, would have been for him. The other had two large double beds.

& # 39; We can take the second & # 39 ;, said Shanks. Fine by me. An honor, by the way.

Before I unpacked his essential supplies, I stepped out onto the balcony. The word was already spreading. Dozens of Liverpool fans had gathered on the sidewalk below. For certainly not the last time in the coming days, he gave his blessing. If not exactly in the manner of the pope in St. Peter's & # 39; s.

There was that well-known bite on his knuckle. Two thumbs up.

The pre-match interview for the Mail was conducted that evening in a small trattoria about pasta: & # 39; Do you like the red and white tablecloths? These Italians know their football. & # 39; Although since he regrets his regret in handing over the reins a few short weeks after winning his second FA Cup – he was so unbearable to miss the game in all its glory – he was certain: & # 39 Bob will get it right on the night. & # 39;

He added: & the boys too. These Borussia are a good team, but my boys are ready now. That Simonsen is a great wee player, but that our Tommy will take care of him. & # 39; Tough Tommy Smith would therefore do his saddest thing on his Wednesday morning. And an essential lake, as it turned out.

<img id = "i-fedf28c139d19a94" src = "https://dailym.ai/30KOf5c image-a-40_1558899461238.jpg "height =" 493 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-fedf28c139d19a94" src = "https://dailym.ai/2J2OwKp /26/20/13986572-0-image-a-40_1558899461238.jpg "height =" 493 "width =" 634 "alt =" Liverpool star Kevin Keegan (left) hugs goalkeeper Ray Clemence after the last whistle (left) hugs goalkeeper Ray Clemence after the last whistle

Liverpool star Kevin Keegan (left) hugs goalkeeper Ray Clemence after the last whistle

Borussia Moenchengladbach

When he went to bed, Bill put on his Victorian nightdress, kept his red and

In Italian: & # 39; Football is the world language, son & # 39; . & # 39; On a small flickering set, in black and white: & # 39; Isn't red? & # 39; Color television had only been fully introduced on Italian networks 12 weeks earlier and even the magnificent Excelsior had not yet installed the receivers.

That evening, as on the following two, Bill let us talk until three or three in the morning. About football as a life. Soccer in its history. Football and its importance for Liverpool. Soccer Italiano. Football the folk game. Football and the biggest rivalries, including of course those between Liverpool and not only Everton but also Man United – and therefore football and George Best.

Aye, woe Georgie, & # 39; he mused when he recalled how Best Liverpool had defeated virtually lonely Saturday on Saturday. & # 39; The deepest tackler in the game … & # 39; He gave me the honor to know enough about football to know that he was a god on the ball, but I wanted to illustrate his point about the courage I demanded of his own players and the

What us naturally led to talk about the greatest footballers of all time.

That was my little surprise.

That was my little surprise. Liverpool manager Bob Paisley (left) embraces Ian Callaghan as they celebrate their victory "

<img id =" i-74141425968f7a95 "src =" https://dailym.ai/2uS4u1n 1s / 2019/05/26/20 / 13986606-0-image-a-41_1558899597293.jpg "height =" 447 "width =" 634 "alt =" Liverpool manager Bob Paisley (left) (19459009)

Liverpool manager Bob Paisley (left) embraces Ian Callaghan as they celebrate their victory

In one of the trendiest restaurants in Rome we shared baby lamb and warm memories with Bobby Moore and Carlos Alberto, World Cup winners, Eusbeio the Black Pearl, famous and towering Inter and Italy Giacinto Facchetti with left rear. The latter was accompanied by the first and most dear Italian football boss, Gigi Peronace, who also brought Enzo Bearzot, who would lead their country to victory in the World Cup five years later

and more legends were in the city for the finale. Because we now have tens of thousands of Reds, who, as we took our walks through the Eternal City, were greeted by my roommate as & # 39; Scotsman & # 39; s Brother Scousers & # 39 ;.

Only One Bill Shankly.

Match night in the press bench and he was besieged again. This time through & # 39; the world's cameras & # 39; s, microphones, and pen pushers.

There was a bit of that knuckle when Denees woe Allan Simonsen opened the way for Borussia to hit the post early. & # 39; Tommy, & # 39; Bill barked.

& # 39; Tommy, & # 39; he growled again when Simonsen early in the second half

<img id = "i-960ac3f80736e470" src = "https://dailym.ai/2uS4u1n 1s / 2019/05/26/20 / 13986616-0-image-a-42_1558899671862.jpg "height =" 456 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-960ac3f80736e470" src = "https: / /i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/05/26/20/13986616-0-image-a-42_1558899671862.jpg "height =" 456 "width =" 634 "alt =" Shankly promoted Liverpool before joining the First Division won three times the manager "class =" blkBorder img-share "Department won three times as manager"

Then, as Smith turned from enforcer to scorer from a rare goal just after the hour to give Liverpool the lead again: & # 39; Aye, Tommy. & # 39; Another nod to Phil Neal's late penalty made history safe.

I have again filed a lawsuit for the media because I dictated my report by telephone. We had copyists back in the day.

Taxi's were scarce outside the stadium, but that didn't matter. I wanted to walk. Even at its fast pace, it took about 45 minutes. Harry & # 39; s Bar was open late at the top of the Veneto.

& # 39; Celebrating a beer, Bill? & # 39; & # 39; Yes, but only those. & # 39; I was silent for a few minutes. This should have been his triumphant crown. Then we chatted with bottles and brought them to his boys when he quoted one of his other heroes, the Scottish poet Robbie Burns: & # 39; A man is a man for & # 39; that & # 39 ;.

Had he known that Liverpool would go Saturday for what he would still call the European Cup, how could he have seen the premature comparisons made by some between Jurgen Klopp, who had just come to one point shortly before Man City in the League, and himself?

The answer can be found in his own anthology of priceless statements: & # 39; If you are the first, you are the first. If you are the second, you are nothing. & # 39; We flew home the next lunch time. Shook hands at the airport. Grip like a vice.

He would die in barely four years, only 68. Officially, cardiac arrest.

I saw him running away from that day. Short in feet and inches but a giant in stature. Upright. Head high. Proud. Scarf now tied in a knot at his throat.

For a moment he was alone and glanced back. Only the slightest trace of sadness in the smile. Hardly perceptible. Again he was overwhelmed by the fans, his people.

Only One Bill Shankly.

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