Shankly Gates

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Lore & Background

The gates were erected in 1981, after Shankly's retirement and death. They stand as a memorial to the manager who led Liverpool from 1959 to 1974, winning three League Championships, two FA Cups, and one UEFA Cup. Shankly's statue was unveiled in 1997 by the Centenary Stand.

In Their Own Story

Shankly came from Glenbuck, a small Scottish mining village with a population of around 700 in 1913. He worked in the local pit alongside his brother Bob before football called him away. After a single season at Carlisle United in 1932–33, he moved to Preston North End for a fee of £50 plus a £10 signing-on fee, signing the contract inside a railway carriage. His playing career ended in 1949 due to World War II service in the Royal Air Force, after which he managed Carlisle United, Grimsby Town, Workington, and Huddersfield Town before taking charge of Liverpool. He passed away on 29 September 1981 at the age of 68, seven years after his retirement.

Reader's Guide

The Shankly Gates are located at the entrance to the stadium. They are a popular spot for photographs and tributes. The Hillsborough memorial was originally situated alongside the gates before being moved in 2016.

Did You Know?

• The Shankly Gates were unlocked for the first time by Shankly's widow, Nessie, on 26 August 1981.
• The words 'You'll Never Walk Alone' across the gates come from a song by Gerry and the Pacemakers, adopted as the club's anthem during Shankly's tenure.
• A bronze statue of Bill Shankly was unveiled outside the stadium in 1997, near the Centenary Stand.