Episodes
| Series | Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | 20130813 | 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.
In 1959, Bill Shankly became manager of Liverpool Football Club. He transformed the fortunes of the club and has been immortalised as a hero. From the very beginning, he was as committed to the fans as they were to him.
David Peace, acclaimed author of the 'Red Riding' series, 'GB84' and 'The Damned United', now turns his attentions to Bill Shankly. David Peace's astonishing book 'Red or Dead' pulls Bill Shankly out of the football world and into the mainstream and tells us the story of the man, not just the manager. Peace describes Shankly as "not just a great football manager. Bill Shankly was one of the greatest men who ever lived."
Today Bill begins to lay the first building blocks for his new Liverpool team, the very start of a new era...
Read by Gary Lewis
Producer: Allegra McIlroy.
By David Peace. Bill begins to lay the first building blocks for his new Liverpool team. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature | |
| 03 | 20130814 | By David Peace.
One hundred years ago on 2nd September 1913, 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.
David Peace, acclaimed author of the 'Red Riding' series, 'GB84' and 'The Damned United', now turns his attentions to Bill Shankly. David Peace's astonishing book 'Red or Dead' pulls Bill Shankly out of the football world and into the mainstream and tells us the story of the man, not just the manager. Peace describes Shankly as "not just a great football manager. Bill Shankly was one of the greatest men who ever lived."
Now, It's 1962, two years into his management, and Bill Shankly has taken his team to the top of the second division. The building blocks are in place, the hard work and the passion, and the team are desperate for promotion now that it's almost within their grasp...
Read by Gary Lewis
Producer: Allegra McIlroy.
It's 1962, and the team are pushing hard for promotion, but it's on a knife edge. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature | |
| 04 | 20130815 | By David Peace.
One hundred years ago on 2nd September 1913, 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.
David Peace, acclaimed author of the 'Red Riding' series, 'GB84' and 'The Damned United', now turns his attentions to Bill Shankly. David Peace's astonishing book 'Red or Dead' pulls Bill Shankly out of the football world and into the mainstream and tells us the story of the man, not just the manager. Peace describes Shankly as "not just a great football manager. Bill Shankly was one of the greatest men who ever lived."
Now, it's early in the 1963/64 season, and for the first time since 1947 Liverpool Football Club are top of the first division. But it's not where they start the season that counts, it's where they finish. There's a long season of hard work ahead - and Bill must face fellow Scot and brilliant manager Matt Busby, on Bill's home turf, at Anfield.
Read by Gary Lewis
1963. Bill Shankly's hard work is paying off, and Liverpool are top of the First Division. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature | |
| 05 | 20130816 | By David Peace.
One hundred years ago on 2nd September 1913, 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.
David Peace, acclaimed author of the 'Red Riding' series, 'GB84' and 'The Damned United', now turns his attentions to Bill Shankly. David Peace's astonishing book 'Red or Dead' pulls Bill Shankly out of the football world and into the mainstream and tells us the story of the man, not just the manager. Peace describes Shankly as "not just a great football manager. Bill Shankly was one of the greatest men who ever lived."
Now, after eleven years at Liverpool, having come within touching distance of the FA Cup, Bill Shankly receives a tip off about a brilliant young player who just might have what it takes to lead the team to true greatness.
Read by Gary Lewis
It's 1971. Bill Shankly signs a young player who could take the team to greatness. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature | |
| 06 | 20130819 | By David Peace.
One hundred years ago on 2nd September 1913, 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.
David Peace, acclaimed author of the 'Red Riding' series and 'The Damned United', now turns his attentions to Bill Shankly. 'Red or Dead' pulls Bill Shankly out of the football world and into the mainstream and tells us the story of the man, not just the manager. 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. For Bill, his wife Ness had always been his security. There was only Ness and football, football and Ness. But now, his wife's sudden serious illness shakes him deeply.
Read by Gary Lewis
1973. Liverpool win their first European trophy, but Bill is shaken by his wife's illness. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature | |
| 07 | 20130820 | 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.
David Peace, acclaimed author of the 'Red Riding' series and 'The Damned United', now turns his attentions to Bill Shankly. 'Red or Dead' pulls Bill Shankly out of the football world and into the mainstream and tells us the story of the man, not just the manager. 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 tender and intimate side to Bill is revealed.
Bill's resignation sent shockwaves across football and the news left the Liverpool fans reeling. And Bill Shankly himself, the man who said, 'You retire when they put the coffin lid down with your name on top. Until then nobody can retire', found retirement a deeply personal challenge.
Read by Gary Lewis
Producer: Allegra McIlroy.
Bill Shankly's resignation at the height of his success stuns the football world. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature | |
| 08 | 20130821 | 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 novelist 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.
Now, facing the deeply personal challenge of retirement, Bill Shankly finds himself lost.
Read by Gary Lewis
Producer: Allegra McIlroy.
Bill finds his retirement from football a hard path, though the fans still love him deeply Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature | |
| 09 | 20130822 | 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
Bill visits a young footballer at the hospital who has been told he'll never play again. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature | |
| 10 | 20130823 | 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 novelist 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, not just his second home, Anfield. A fragile side to Bill is revealed.
In retirement, Bill has felt isolated from the club that was so central to his life. Now they invite him as part of the official party to watch the team in the European Cup final in Rome. As a manager, it was the title that eluded him, and now he hopes to see them bring it home.
Read by Gary Lewis
Producer: Allegra McIlroy.
Bill Shankly is invited to Rome to watch Liverpool in the European Cup final. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature | |
| BAB | 01 | 20130812 | By David Peace.
One hundred years ago this September, in a small Scottish mining village in East Ayrshire, Bill Shankly was born.
In 1959, Bill Shankly became manager of Liverpool Football Club. His passion and commitment was almost mythical, and he transformed the team, taking them from the second division to become champions of England and win their first ever European trophy. But then, at the height of his success, he resigned. It was a move that sent shockwaves across football, and proved an intense personal challenge for Shankly himself.
David Peace, acclaimed author of the 'Red Riding' series, 'GB84' and 'The Damned United', now turns his attentions to Bill Shankly. David Peace's astonishing book 'Red or Dead' pulls Bill Shankly out of the football world and into the mainstream and tells us the story of the man, not just the manager. Peace describes Shankly as "not just a great football manager. Bill Shankly was one of the greatest men who ever lived."
One of five brothers, Shankly's passion was football. It was his job and it was his life, both as a player and then as a manager. Along with Matt Busby and Jock Stein he formed a trio of working class Scottish men who rose to the top of their game and were immortalised as heroes, to be followed by their natural successor Alex Ferguson.
Shankly's background fuelled his socialism, his view of the world and his view of football: "The socialism I believe in is everyone working for each other, everyone having a share of the rewards. It's the way I see football, the way I see life"
Read by Gary Lewis
Producer: Allegra McIlroy.
Shankly's background fuelled his socialism, his view of the world and his view of football Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |