Lee: What Shanks means to me

In the week marking the 50th anniversary of Bill Shankly's arrival, assistant manager Sammy Lee recalls his boyhood memories of the Scot's Reds revolution.

When I hear the name 'Bill Shankly' I am transported back to my childhood.
　
As you know, in this city you either go one way or another - Reds or Blues.
　
Thankfully, my family directed me towards the Red side and so the mention of Shankly evokes memories of my youth in Liverpool, supporting the club with Mr Shankly at the helm.
　
I remember my dad going up to Hampden Park to watch the Cup Winners' Cup final against Borussia Dortmund in 1966 and returning home very early the next morning as I was on my way out to school.
　
Although we lost the game, it was the start of the success under Shankly.
　
He'd just departed the club when I arrived in 76, but his presence was still keenly felt around the place. It was unfortunate he'd left his position, but on the other hand I was very fortunate to be given a couple of presentations by Mr. Shankly.
　
I have great memories of the FA Cup finals of 1965 and 1974, so to then have him still around the place when I was a young player was just fantastic.
　
He was a charismatic figure who had a real aura about him. He always made time to talk to people and for me, as a young boy growing up, he was an idol of mine.
　
He built a dynasty for Liverpool Football Club - it wasn't a short-term thing.
　
Everyone can see, and has reaped the benefits of, what he did and also what the people working with him did too.
　
The likes of Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Ronnie Moran, Roy Evans aren't just plucked from trees. It takes a good set of skills to pick them out.
　
Shankly's legacy can be seen all around the place now.
　
You can see from all of his quotations, of which there are many on the walls at Melwood and Anfield, that he set some very high standards for the club.
　
A lot of people say his quotes are very Churchillian, but for me they are apt and can inspire you in any particular moment of any day.
　
Shankly is still remembered in every facet of the football club. Rafa Benitez is fully aware of our history, and rather than shy away from it, he embraces it.
　
You can't build on sand, you need good foundations and I think everything at this football club has been built upon the foundations set down by Shankly.
　
Rafa wants to continue that, as you can see around the place now.
　
As a fan it's very easy to say there won't ever be anyone like Shankly again. But even if I think outside the box, my answer would still be the same - he was unique.
　
People ask the question of whether he'd be able to manage in modern day football. I think he would because he too thought outside the box. He was very innovative, as the best people always are.
　
I'm sure he'd be able to manage, survive and succeed in the modern game.