It is very difficult to write anything which has not previously been penned about this great man. Bill Shankly was undoubtedly one of the greatest football club managers in the English game, if not the world.

Born in Glenbuck, Scotland, in 1913, his playing days began with local side Cronberry. After proving his worth he signed for the gloriously named Glenbuck Cherrypickers, with few people believing at the time that the frail young man playing in the 'pickers' midfield was about to embark upon a fantastic career in the game.

Shankly was an uncompromising player, robust in the challenge yet delightful with his distribution, and such skills attracted United who signed him in July 1932. Having made just 16 full appearances for the club he was sold to Preston North End, commanding a transfer fee of £500. There followed a long spell with the Deepdale club, accompanied by Scottish full International recognition (5 caps). As was so often the case, the outbreak of war disrupted Shank's playing career.

However, he still managed to make guest appearances for Northampton Town, Liverpool, Arsenal, Cardiff City, Bolton Wanderers, Luton Town and Partick Thistle. He retired from playing in March 1949. It was at this point that United again stepped in, this time to offer him the opportunity to take on his first managerial post. Shankly agreed to do so and found that a great deal of work was required at the club, both on the pitch and behind the scenes. Without further discussion, he took to clearing the terracing of weeds and grass and completely repainted much of the ground, providing, from the exterior, a smart well presented club. "Keeping the fans happy is one of my priorities, these people keep me and my players in a job, it is for them we play, no football manager should ever forget this point."

A great public relations speech, carefully worded, yet nothing rehearsed, Bill Shankly meant what he said. Before games at Brunton Park he would talk over the tannoy system, explaining to fans why he had made team changes and other pertinent facts which were occuring behind the scenes. On one occasion he actually discussed a rumour which had linked him to a striker playing in the First Division. "There is no way Bill Shankly or Carlisle United are interested in signing this player, he is not fit to play in our colours, the man plays as though his feet are tied together, so you can forget all about him coming here."

Everything about United improved. On the field the club finished third in Division Three North at the end of the 1950/51 season. Shankly was adored by the Brunton Park faithful, although was no prima donna, just a working lad who had proved his worth and earned their respect. That respect turned to sadness and anger when the news broke that he had left the club, in July 1951, in favour of Grimsby Town. It was a bitter blow for everyone connected with Carlisle, as Shankly had led the club out of the wilderness and forced it into conceding that it was capable of greater things. That self belief had never before been evident. Shankly must take all the glory and praise for establishing United as a future footballing force. Some may laugh at such a statement, but United have, since Shankly's reign, been there, done the lot - and come back again. Not a solitary so called 'Big Club', has not fallen foul to Carlisle over the years, even Shank's Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw at Anfield in a classic FA Cup-tie.

Having left United, his reign at Grimsby lasted until January 1954, when he moved to Workington. Thereafter followed a spell as assistant manager with Huddersfield Town before being promoted to manager in November 1956. Finally the move to Liverpool came about in December 1959 and the rest, as they say, is history.

Bill Shankly OBE died in September 1981. Football fans throughout the United Kingdom were united in sorrow, there were many in the City of Carlisle who spilled more than a few tears. Someone even placed a wreath at the club's main entrance which bore the simple inscription, 'To Bill Shankly, thankyou for everything, we love you still. Supporters of Carlisle United AFC.'