Bob Paisley OBE was born on this day, 23rd January, in 1919!
In terms of number of trophies won, Bob was the most successful manager in Liverpool’s illustrious history, winning -
- 6 League Titles
- 3 European Cups
- 1 UEFA Cup
- 3 League Cups
- 5 Community Shields
- 1 UEFA Super Cup
Indeed Bob Paisley is the only manager in football history to win 3 European Cups.
When I first realised what football was and fell in love with the game and Liverpool Football Club, Bob Paisley was the man in charge of our club. I grew up on his style and brand of football and his principles. It shaped my views on what the game means, how it should be played and how a club should be run.
But it goes further than that. It shaped the principles of how I lived, what principles I thought were important in life and how to be successful. For that I am hugely grateful to Bob Paisley.
Famous quotes from Bob Paisley
- “The whole of my life, what they wanted was honesty. They were not concerned with cultured football, but with triers who gave one hundred percent.” - Bob Paisley talking about The Kop
- “Its not about the long ball or the short ball, its about the right ball.”
- “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.”
- “Kevin was quicker off the mark, but Kenny runs the first five yards in his head.” - Bob Paisley on Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish
- “I’m surprised they don’t charge me rent and rates.” - After his 11th visit to Wembley
- “Mind you, I’ve been here during the bad times too – one year we came second.”
- “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 club has been my life. I’d go out and sweep the street and be proud to do it for Liverpool FC if they asked me to.”
Exactly 92 years after Bob Paisley was born, the greatest player that played for him, Kenny Dalglish, is back as manager, bringing back many of the principles that Bob Paisley instilled into the club. Kenny won his first game since his return yesterday. What a fitting present for Bob. He must be looking down beaming at Kenny!
Bob Paisley died on 14th February 1996. RIP
Article Author - Hiten Shah
I've been a Liverpool fan since I was 5 years old (before that I was just clueless...some say I still am). At that time, Bob Paisley was our manager, Kevin Keegan was scoring for fun and winning the league came naturally to us. 5 European Cups later and we have seen many joys and heartbreaks along the way. But then to me that is what being a true Liverpool fan is all about...it's about the emotions, the experiences, the joys, the pain, the hope, the despair...it's all part of the experience of completely supporting the team you love.