His managerial career began back at Carlisle United, before moving on to Grimsby Town, Workington and then Huddersfield Town.
Shankly was appointed Liverpool manager in 1959 and he had a tough job lifting them from obscurity in the second division to first division champions by 1966.
As the side of the 60's declined, shankly brought in new talent - Keegan, Heighway, Clemence and Toshack. Further success followed.
The Reds won the first division title and lifted the UEFA Cup in 1973, their first European trophy but certainly not the last. The FA Cup followed a year later before Shankly's shock resignation at the end of the 73/74 season.
Fortunately he had been grooming Bob Paisley to take over at the helm and success was to continue for Liverpool Football Club.
Sadly, Bill Shankly died in 1981 after suffering a hear attack. But the legend lives on, and the Shankly Gates stand proud at Anfield to remind fans of the man who made the club what it is.
Famous Shankly Quotes
"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."
"If Everton were playing at the bottom of the garden, I'd pull the curtains."
"The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don't know the game."
"A lot of football success is in the mind. You must believe that you are the best and then make sure that you are, in my time at Liverpool we always said we had the best two teams in Merseyside, Liverpool and Liverpool reserves."
(about the 'This is Anfield' plaque)
"It's there to remind our lads who they're playing for, and to remind the opposition who they're playing against."
"Of course I didn't take my wife to see Rochdale as an anniversary present, it was her birthday. Would I have got married in the football season? Anyway, it was Rochdale reserves."
"If a player is not interfering with play or seeking to gain advantage, then he should be."
(after a hard fought 1-1 draw)
"The best side drew."
(on the day he signed Ian St John)
"Son, you'll do well here as long as you remember two things. Don't over-eat and don't lose your accent."
"If you are first you are first. If you are second you are nothing."
(after a 0-0 draw at Anfield)
"What can you do, playing against eleven goalposts?"
(to Kevin Keegan)
"Just go out and drop a few hand grenades all over the place son."
(at Dixie Dean's funeral)
"I know this is a sad occasion but I think that Dixie would be amazed to know that even in death he could draw a bigger crowd than Everton can on a Saturday afternoon."
(to a journalist suggesting Liverpool were in difficulties)
"Ay, here we are with problems at the top of the league."
(to a translator when being surrounded by gesticulating Italian journalists)
"Just tell them I completely disagree with everything they say!"
(to Alan Ball who just signed for Everton)
"Don't worry Alan. At least you'll be able to play close to a great team!"
(after beating Everton in the 1971 FA cup semi-final)
"Sickness would not have kept me away from this one. If I'd been dead, I would have had them bring the casket to the ground, prop it up in the stands and cut a hole in the lid."
(to a Liverpool fan)
"Where are you from?", "I'm a Liverpool fan from London", "Well laddie...what's it like to be in heaven?"
(to a reporter in the 60's)
"Yes Roger Hunt misses a few, but he gets in the right place to miss them."
(after signing Ron Yeats)
"With him in defence, we could play Arthur Askey in goal."