John Shankly

John Shankly

Born in Glenbuck, Scotland in 1903, John was a prolific goalscorer in Scotland before being enticed south to Portsmouth in 1922.

After a frustrating two years at Fratton Park, when he was almost permanently in the reserve side, he was spotted by the Town after playing against the Luton second eleven.

Coming to Kenilworth Road in the summer of 1924, John made a slow start but once in the side he became a fixture, with goals and assists, with only a succession of injuries holding him back. His second season came to a sudden halt when he was diagnosed with a strained heart muscle just as bigger clubs were beginning to take an interest.

Returning to Scotland, John turned out for a number of Scottish clubs in time plus, bizarrely, a short spell at Blackpool in 1930.

John passed away after collapsing during the European Cup final at Hampden Park in 1960.

John’s younger brother Bill, who was a guest for the Town during World War Two, enjoyed a glittering career culminating in the rebuilding of Liverpool FC.