For the first-ever time, the Shankly Cup has come to Merseyside, uniting groups from Liverpool, Wales, Scotland and Eire.
Invoice Shankly‘s legacy is throughout us in Liverpool; the membership wouldn’t be within the place it’s right this moment with out his values, instilled within the Sixties, which run proper by means of to the current day.
One of many methods wherein followers have continued his legacy is thru the Spirit of Shankly supporters’ union (SOS).
The supporters group run the Shankly Cup yearly, a soccer event uniting junior groups from Merseyside, Wales, Scotland and Eire.
This yr, for the primary time, it got here to Liverpool as SGA Internationals triumphed in the primary Shankly Cup, whereas Marine took dwelling the Shankly Defend.
The now former voice of Anfield, George Sephton, opened the occasion, whereas Shankly’s granddaughter, Karen Gill, and his niece, Barbara Alexander, had been additionally in attendance.
The event was hosted on the Steven Gerrard Academy on Wyncote Sports activities Grounds in south Liverpool on June 28, with eight under-13 groups competing for the trophy.
Cumnock Juniors and Stewarton Annick got here from East Ayrshire, close to the place Shankly was born and introduced up in Glenbuck, whereas Lucan United travelled from Dublin for the event.
SGA Internationals, in addition to the Steven Gerrard Academy, Marine, Marshalls, and Kingsley United, additionally took half, coming into on the group stage earlier than SGA Internationals beat their Steven Gerrard Academy counterparts on penalties after a 1–1 draw within the remaining.
SOS chairman Paul Khan stated: “That is the primary time that we’ve truly hosted the event in Liverpool. In all of the earlier years, it’s been hosted in East Ayrshire by Invoice’s birthplace, Glenbuck.
“And I’ve to say, the individuals in East Ayrshire have been completely incredible. The welcome they gave us, the hospitality, the organisation – they’ve been completely unimaginable.
“Most of all what we wish to thank them for is the good reward they gave us which is the good man himself, Invoice Shankly.”
Talking about why the union arrange the event, Khan added: “It’s principally to have a good time the good man’s legacy.
“Shankly was rooted principally in the neighborhood. He was a individuals individual and he did a lot for the individuals and the group, and we’re simply attempting to comply with in his footsteps as a result of that is what he’d need us to do.
“I’d wish to suppose in 100 years’ time, his reminiscence will nonetheless be right here and Spirit of Shankly will nonetheless be going.”
Every workforce obtained a commemorative pennant, whereas the winners took dwelling a Shankly statue crafted by sculptor Tom Murphy, the artist behind the enduring statue of Shankly outdoors the Kop.
Donations had been collected on the day by Followers Supporting Foodbanks, as Spirit of Shankly volunteers helped make sure the occasion ran easily from begin to end.
