A FORMER Grimsby Town manager – who is considered one of the best to grace the game – is to have his face on a Royal Mail stamp.
The late Bill Shankly – who managed Town in the 1950s and later went on to manage Liverpool – will be appearing as part of Royal Mail's Ten Great Britons first class stamp series.
This year is the 100th anniversary of his birth and the stamp is part of a collection that celebrates great figures in sport, art, music, politics and journalism.
Dale Ladson, press officer at Grimsby Town, said the reminder of his achievements will be welcomed by nostalgic Town fans.
He added: "I'm sure the stamp will mean a lot to fans because Shankley is remembered with great affection by those who followed the club back then.
"This was one of his first jobs as a manager and he cut his teeth at Grimsby Town and went on to do great things later on in life.
"There are some lifelong supporters who remember him very fondly and what he did for Town before he went on to achieve in the top flight."
Shankly played for Carlisle United and Preston North End, winning the FA Cup with the latter in 1938, representing Scotland, then retiring in 1949.
His first managing job was at former club Carlisle which he transformed in just over two seasons, nearly winning them promotion in 1950-1951.
In June 1951 he took the job at Grimsby at a very difficult time for the club – after they had been relegated twice in recent years, dropping from the first to third tier.
Despite the fact some of the club's best players had left, he took the club to a second place finish in his first season – three points behind Lincoln City.
However, back then, one side from the Third Division North and another from Third Division South were promoted so Grimsby missed out.
The team made a bright start in the 1952-1953 season, but finished fifth and, complaining that the board would not give him money for new players, he resigned in January 1954.
However, it was his time at Liverpool from 1959 to 1974 that people remember.
With the club, he won three First Division titles – equivalent to the Premiership – two FA Cups, four Charity Shields and the UEFA Cup.
However, his win record at Grimsby of 58.75 per cent is actually better than his Liverpool rate of 52.19 per cent.
Shankly was awarded the OBE in 1974 and is considered a legend of English and Scottish football but died in 1981, aged 68.
