Robert "
Bob"
Paisley OBEThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions...
(23 January 1919 — 14 February 1996) was an
EnglishEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football
half backWithin the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from scoring.There are four types of defender - centre back, sweeper, full back, and wing back.-Centre back:...
who became best known for being the most successful manager in English football history whilst managing his only team
Liverpool Football ClubLiverpool Football Club is a professional football club based in Liverpool, England. The club plays in the Premier League, and has won more trophies than any other English club...
in the 1970s and 1980s. His association with
LiverpoolLiverpool Football Club is a professional football club based in Liverpool, England. The club plays in the Premier League, and has won more trophies than any other English club...
was to span nearly half a century including his contribution to the club, first as a player, then as a physiotherapist and coach, and finally as manager.
"Mind you, I've been here during the bad times too - one year we came second." 
Notes: On his time as a manager with Liverpool F.C.
"Bill was so strong it was unbelievable. You couldn't shake him off the ball. It didn't matter where he was playing, though I suppose his best position was outside-left. He could go round you, or past you, or even straight through you sometimes!"
Notes: On Billy Liddell
"Hey boss, do you think I look like a caveman?" - "I don't know about that, but you bloody play like one."
To Alan Kennedy, dressed like a caveman for a photoshoot. (His nickname was "Barney", after the Flintstone-character.)
"You may have found me mean and thirsty in my search for trophies, but the bad news is the man who is taking my place is hungrier than me. Fagan's the name and I don't think he'll need any help from the Artful Dodger!"
Notes: On his assistant, and successor as manager, Joe Fagan
"I just hoped that after the trials and tribulations of my early years in management, someone up high would smile on me and guide my hand. My plea was answered when we got Kenny Dalglish. What a player, what a great professional!"
"I'll tell you something, they shot the wrong bloody Kennedy!"
To Alan Kennedy after a bad first half on his debut as a Liverpool player.
Robert "
Bob"
Paisley OBEThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions...
(23 January 1919 — 14 February 1996) was an
EnglishEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football
half backWithin the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from scoring.There are four types of defender - centre back, sweeper, full back, and wing back.-Centre back:...
who became best known for being the most successful manager in English football history whilst managing his only team
Liverpool Football ClubLiverpool Football Club is a professional football club based in Liverpool, England. The club plays in the Premier League, and has won more trophies than any other English club...
in the 1970s and 1980s. His association with
LiverpoolLiverpool Football Club is a professional football club based in Liverpool, England. The club plays in the Premier League, and has won more trophies than any other English club...
was to span nearly half a century including his contribution to the club, first as a player, then as a physiotherapist and coach, and finally as manager. In nine years as manager between 1974 and 1983, he took Liverpool to six League Titles, three
European CupsThe UEFA Champions League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe...
, one
UEFA CupThe UEFA Cup 1975–76 was won by Liverpool over Club Brugge on aggregate.-First round:|}-Second round:|}-Third round:|}-Quarter–finals:|}-Semi–finals:|}-Final:|}...
, three
League CupsThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Carling Cup, is an English football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, five Community Shields and a UEFA Super Cup. Paisley is the only manager to win three European Cups.
Playing career
Born in
Hetton-le-HoleHetton-le-Hole is a town and civil parish situated in the City of Sunderland in Tyne and Wear, England. It is on the A182 between Houghton-le-Spring and Easington. It is located on the southwest corner of Sunderland on the A182, off A690 close to the A1. It has a population of 14,402.Liverpool...
,
County DurhamCounty Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in North East England. The county town is Durham.The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington. The county has an industrial heritage and its economy was historically based on coal and iron mining...
(now
SunderlandThe City of Sunderland is a local government district of Tyne and Wear, in North East England, with the status of a city and metropolitan borough...
),
EnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Paisley joined Liverpool from non-League
Bishop Auckland F.C.Bishop Auckland Football Club are an English football team based in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. They are one of the most successful amateur sides, having won the old FA Amateur Cup on 10 occasions , and losing finalists on a further 8. They currently play in the Northern League Division One. ...
in May 1939. However, as with so many of his generation, the outbreak of World War ll delayed the start of Paisley's career. He eventually made his long-overdue debut on the 5 January 1946 in Liverpool's first post-war competitive match, which was an
FA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association. The name "FA Cup" usually refers to the English men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held...
3rd round, 1st leg match at Sealand Road,
Chester CityChester City Football Club is an English football club from Chester. The club suffered relegation at the end of the 2008–09 season to the Conference National from League Two . Chester were founded as Chester F.C., however they changed their name to Chester City F.C. in 1983...
. Liverpool won the game 2-0. Paisley's first goal didn't come until the 1 May 1948 in a League game at
AnfieldAnfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, in Liverpool, England. Built in 1884, the stadium has been home to Liverpool F.C. since they were formed in 1892 as a result of the original tenants Everton F.C...
, against
Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is a professional football club representing the city of Wolverhampton, in the West Midlands region of England, and currently playing in the Premier League. Commonly referred to by their nickname Wolves, the club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 have played...
. Paisley's 22nd-minute strike along with a
Jack BalmerJack Balmer was a footballer who played Centre Forward, for Liverpool Football Club.-Life and playing career:...
goal in the 80th were enough to help the Reds win 2-1.
In the first full season after the war, 1946-47, Bob helped Liverpool to their 1st league title in 24 years, making 34 appearances in the 42-match season. He remained a fixture in the side, appearing in 30+ matches in 1947/48 and 1948/49 and 28 in 1949/50. The 49/50 proved to a season of both highs and lows for Paisley, having scored the opening goal of a 2-0 FA Cup semi-final win over
MerseysideMerseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. Taking its name from the River Mersey, Merseyside came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974, after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972, and the county consists of five metropolitan...
rivals
EvertonEverton Football Club are an English professional football club from the city of Liverpool. Having competed in the top division for a record 107 seasons, they have played more top-flight league games than any other English team and have won the League Championship 9 times — the fourth highest...
only to be surprisingly dropped for the Final against
ArsenalArsenal Football Club are an English professional football club based in Holloway, North London...
, the Reds' first ever appearance at Wembley. Paisley later said that the experience stood him in good stead when it came to telling players they were not going to play in big games, stating he could tell them he knew how they felt and they knew he genuinely did. Paisley became club captain the following season.
Coaching career
After retiring as a one-club man in 1954, he joined the back room staff as self-taught Physiotherapist and had a knack of being able to diagnose a player's injury just by looking at them. He later became a coach for the reserves. The arrival of
Bill ShanklyWilliam "Bill" Shankly, OBE was one of Britain's most successful and respected football managers. Shankly was also a fine player, whose career was interrupted by the Second World War...
as manager in December 1959 transformed the fortunes of the club. Shankly utilised
The Boot RoomThe Liverpool Boot Room was a room at Anfield, home of Liverpool F.C., during the 1960s - 1980s where the coaching staff would sit, drink tea and discuss the team, tactics and ways of defeating the next opposing side.- Details :...
for a second purpose, a room for coaches meetings. Paisley was one of Shankly's founder members of the boot room staff along with
Joe FaganJoe Fagan was an English football manager best known for being manager of Liverpool F.C. from 1983 to 1985. He managed the side that won Liverpool's fourth European Cup in 1984. He died in 2001, aged 80.- Career:...
and
Reuben BennettReuben Bennet from Aberdeen was a professional footballer and a member of the Boot Room coaching staff during Bill Shankly's time in charge of Liverpool F.C., along with Joe Fagan....
. Under Shankly's management Liverpool won three league titles, two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup over the next fifteen years.
Managerial career
In July 1974 the man who rebuilt Liverpool,
Bill ShanklyWilliam "Bill" Shankly, OBE was one of Britain's most successful and respected football managers. Shankly was also a fine player, whose career was interrupted by the Second World War...
, rocked the very foundations of the club when, out of the blue, he announced his retirement. Like thousands of Kopites, the directors of Liverpool pondered on who to appoint as the great man's successor. Ultimately they turned to the unassuming Paisley who, reluctantly, took on the mountainous task of following Shankly.
His record would better that of Shankly: Paisley led the team for nine seasons, winning at least one trophy in eight of those. Disappointed by finishing second in his first season as manager, the team went one better the following year, winning the title. This was the start of Liverpool's dominance of the game in England - in Paisley's nine seasons in charge, Liverpool won six League titles and finished second twice, won 3
League CupsThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Carling Cup, is an English football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
(the first time that Liverpool had won the trophy), 1
UEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is a competition for eligible European football clubs; the second most prestigious European football contest after the UEFA Champions League. It is an annual football cup competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations...
, 1
European Super CupThe European Super Cup is an annual football game between the reigning champions of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League . It takes place at the start of the domestic season, in August, normally on a Friday.The current champions are Spanish club FC Barcelona, and the most...
, 5 Charity Shields and, most significantly, they won the club's first 3
European CupThe UEFA Champions League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe...
s, with his and Liverpool's dominance of the era in English and European football only challenged by
Brian CloughBrian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and subsequently football manager, most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest, and his 44 day reign at Leeds United A.F.C...
's Nottingham Forest and
Aston VillaAston Villa Football Club is an English professional football club based in Aston, Birmingham, who play in the Premier League. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of Football League in 1888...
under
Tony BartonAnthony Edward Barton was an English footballer, playing as an outside right, and football manager. He was born in Sutton, Surrey and managed Aston Villa to success in the 1982 European Cup, three months after taking charge.-Playing career:Tony Barton won England Schoolboy and Youth honours...
. He remains the only man in history to coach three European Cup-winning sides (1977, 1978 & 1981). His success was honoured with six Manager of the Year awards. Only the FA Cup eluded Paisley, although Liverpool would be runners-up in 1977 and beaten semi-finalists in 1979 and 1980.
Retirement
Paisley retired in 1983 after spending 44 unbroken years at the club. He was replaced by
Joe FaganJoe Fagan was an English football manager best known for being manager of Liverpool F.C. from 1983 to 1985. He managed the side that won Liverpool's fourth European Cup in 1984. He died in 2001, aged 80.- Career:...
, another of the Boot Room old boys. He continued to serve Liverpool as a director, until he was diagnosed with
Alzheimer's DiseaseAlzheimer's disease , also called Alzheimer disease, Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type or simply Alzheimer's, is the most common form of dementia. This incurable, degenerative, and terminal disease was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was...
in 1992. After his death in 1996, he was honoured by the club with the opening of the Paisley Gates at one of the entrances to
AnfieldAnfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, in Liverpool, England. Built in 1884, the stadium has been home to Liverpool F.C. since they were formed in 1892 as a result of the original tenants Everton F.C...
, complementing the existing Shankly Gates.
Paisley was made an Inaugural Inductee of the
English Football Hall of FameThe English Football Hall of Fame is housed at the National Football Museum in Preston, England. The Hall aims to celebrate and highlight the achievements of the top English footballing talents, and non-English players and managers who have become significant figures in the English leagues...
in 2002 in recognition of his impact on the English game as a manager.
Quotations
- "Mind you, I've been here during the bad times too - one year we came second."
- "The sort of lad I'm looking for here is a kid who'll try to nutmeg Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE , commonly known as Kevin Keegan, is a former international footballer, and former manager of several English clubs and the England national football team....
in a training match... but then step aside for him in the corridor."
- "One of the things I keep reminding players is that when you're lost in a fog, you must stick together. Then you don't get lost. If there's a secret about Liverpool, that's it."
- "This is the second time I've beaten the Germans here... the first time was in 1944. I drove into Rome on a tank when the city was liberated." - Paisley after Liverpool won the European Cup in Rome in 1977.
- "I tell you something, they shot the wrong Kennedy." - Commenting on Alan Kennedy's debut as a Liverpool player.
- "If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later."
Playing career
- Liverpool F.C (1939 - 1954)†
Winner
- 1946-47 League Championship
The Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
(Level 1) medal
† Bob's career was curtailed by 6 years due to the Second World War
Runners-up
‡ Bob was awarded a medal even though he didn't appear in the final.
Managerial career
- Liverpool F.C (1974 - 1983)
| Team |
From |
To |
Games |
Won |
Lost |
Drawn |
Win % |
| Liverpool |
26 August 1974 |
23 May 1983 |
490 |
275 |
91 |
124 |
56.12 |
Managerial Honours with Liverpool 1974-1983
- Winner
- 1975-76 League Championship
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
- 1975-76 UEFA Cup
- 1976-77 FA Community Shield
The Football Association Community Shield is an English association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of the FA Premier League and the winners of the FA Cup, though this tradition was only established twenty years into the fixture's existence...
- 1976-77 League Championship
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
- 1976-77 European Cup
The UEFA Champions League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe...
- 1977-78 UEFA Super Cup
- 1977-78 FA Community Shield
The Football Association Community Shield is an English association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of the FA Premier League and the winners of the FA Cup, though this tradition was only established twenty years into the fixture's existence...
- 1977-78 European Cup
The UEFA Champions League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe...
- 1978-79 League Championship
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
- 1979-80 FA Community Shield
The Football Association Community Shield is an English association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of the FA Premier League and the winners of the FA Cup, though this tradition was only established twenty years into the fixture's existence...
- 1979-80 League Championship
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
- 1980-81 FA Community Shield
The Football Association Community Shield is an English association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of the FA Premier League and the winners of the FA Cup, though this tradition was only established twenty years into the fixture's existence...
- 1980-81 Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Carling Cup, is an English football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
- 1980-81 European Cup
The UEFA Champions League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe...
- 1981-82 Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Carling Cup, is an English football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
- 1981-82 League Championship
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
- 1982-83 FA Community Shield
The Football Association Community Shield is an English association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of the FA Premier League and the winners of the FA Cup, though this tradition was only established twenty years into the fixture's existence...
- 1982-83 Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Carling Cup, is an English football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
- 1982-83 League Championship
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
- Runner-up
- 1974-75 League Championship
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
- 1976-77 FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association. The name "FA Cup" usually refers to the English men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held...
- 1977-78 Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Carling Cup, is an English football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
- 1977-78 League Championship
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
- 1978-79 UEFA Super Cup
- 1980-81 Intercontinental Cup
Statistics for the Intercontinental Cup which ran from 1960 to 2004.-Finals:-By country:-By team:-By continent:-Man of the Match:Since 1980-See also:*Intercontinental Cup*Copa Libertadores*UEFA Champions League...
- Doubles
- 1975-76 League Championship
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
& UEFA Cup
- 1976-77 League Championship
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
& European CupThe UEFA Champions League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe...
- 1980-81 Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Carling Cup, is an English football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
& European CupThe UEFA Champions League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe...
- 1981-82 League Championship
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
& Football League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Carling Cup, is an English football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
- 1982-83 League Championship
The First Division was the top division of The Football League between 1892 and 1992 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the FA Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Coca Cola Championship.-History:The Football...
& Football League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Carling Cup, is an English football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
Individual Honours
- 1975/76 Manager of the Year award
- 1976/77 Manager of the Year award
- 1978/79 Manager of the Year award
- 1979/80 Manager of the Year award
- 1981/82 Manager of the Year award
- 1982/83 Manager of the Year award
- 2002 Inductee of the English Football Hall of Fame
External links