Programme Index

Discover 11,128,835 listings and 281,614 playable programmes from the BBC

Book at Bedtime

Red or Dead

Episode 9

Duration: 15 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW

By David Peace.

One hundred years ago this September, in a small Scottish mining village in East Ayrshire, Bill Shankly was born.

Shankly's passion was football. It was his job and it was his life, both as a player and then as a manager. He transformed the fortunes of Liverpool Football Club, turning the team into a world class side, and he has been immortalised as a hero. From the very beginning, he was as committed to the fans as they were to him.

Acclaimed author of 'The Damned United' David Peace describes Shankly as "not just a great football manager. Bill Shankly was one of the greatest men who ever lived". David Peace's astonishing book takes us into Bill Shankly's home and his heart, beyond Anfield. A very gentle side to Bill is revealed.

Now, in retirement, and missing his involvement at the club that was such a central part of his life, Bill remains committed to the Liverpool community. Bill Shankly goes to visit an under-16s player at the children's hospital who has been told his injury could mean he will never play football again.

Read by Gary Lewis
Abridged by Robin Brooks
Producer: Allegra McIlroy. Show less

About this data

This data is drawn from the data stream that informs BBC's iPlayer and Sounds. The information shows what was scheduled to be broadcast, meaning it was/is subject to change and may not be accurate. More