Before he was a famous Red, Bill Shankly was a Carlisle United Blue

Without Carlisle United Football Club, there would have been no Bill Shankly. Had the legendary Scottish football manager never made his professional playing debut as a Blue, the Reds of Liverpool may have never reached the heights they have. For all Liverpool’s success, and this season there has been plenty in the Premier League, Reds supporters owe a bit of gratitude to Carlisle United. Blues supporters can bet with Genting and get the latest bonus codes and promos. It was at Brunton Park that the Scotsman got his feet wet as a manager. It was also there that Shankly began to hone the psychology of football that he used to out fox opponents before the first whistle was ever blown before games. Before he was a Red, Shankly was a Carlisle United Blue.

Bill Shankly – The beginning

Shankly began his managerial career at Brunton Park in March 1949. The Blues were struggling in the old Third Division at the time of his arrival. Shankly was just 35-years old. Today, it is an age in which a number of modern-day managers are getting into the coaching profession. Despite being in his mid-30s, Shankly was still keen to play football. But there was one problem, Preston North End held his player registration rights and wouldn’t relinquish them. Fans can get closer to the action with the Rinconapuestas bonus offer. The only way to stay in football and to make a living was to work in management. Turns out, it was something Shankly was born to do.

Carlisle United finished 15th at the end of the 1948-49 season and Shankly had just enough time to get a feel for the job. The next season, the Blues improved moving up six places in the final division standings. But Shankly wasn’t just improving the club on the pitch. The young manager was changing perceptions off the pitch and supporters were being won over by the Scotsman.

Bill Shankly – Carlisle United Revolution

Shankly used the club’s northern location to its advantage. He preached to his players about the long-haul journeys opponents from the south had to make to Cumbria and how the team could beat its weary rivals. He also developed a relationship with the supporters and spoke to them directly to gain their full trust rather than simple writing messages in the weekly program. Carlisle United were transformed into a more professional club despite being in the third-tier. Shankly’s work was later replicated at Anfield as he dragged Liverpool out of the Second Division.

In his first full season in charge of Carlisle United, Shankly led the team to ninth. A season later, Carlisle United were challenging for promotion but ultimately finished third. It was their best Third Division league position to end a season to that point.

Bill Shankly – The End

Losing out on promotion in 1950-51 was the beginning of the end for Shankly at Carlisle United. The club’s board had made promises to the players over financial rewards. Yet, at the end of the season, Carlisle United’s board backed out of their original offers.

Angered over the players not receiving the money they were promised, Shankly resigned. He took up the manager’s position at Grimsby Town before moving to Workington and on to Huddersfield. In the middle of the 1959-60 season, he joined Liverpool and began to use many of the same methods he had at Brunton Park to transform the Reds.

So, the next time Liverpool supporters go to Anfield, and if the Reds win the Premier League this season, they should just remember they wouldn’t have if it weren’t for Carlisle United.