[ratcatcher]

This one is Shankly related and not LFC but shows the measure of the man.

My lad was having a football birthday party which was organised by Derek Spence who used to ply his trade with the likes of blackpool & bury in the then 3rd div. Northern Ireland were playing England at woodison and Spence told us that before the game, Shanks came into the Ireland dressing room which was packed with the likes of Jennings, possibly McIlroy and other first division players.

Shanks went round and spoke to each of the Ireland lads and shook their hands. Now I personally know, Derek has a firm handshake. When he shook hands with Shanks, the great man said to him in that accent of his 'that lad, is a man's handshake.' Then, looking around at the first division players sat there, Shanks' gaze returned to Spence and he said 'not like the handshakes of these nancyboys around you today'!

Spence said he felt 10 foot tall and went out and played the game of his life.

What a motivator the man was.