The Bob Paisley Memorial Appeal
By Ian Graves
Last summer, myself and a few like-minded Reds who use the supporters website
www.onthekop.com went to Glenbuck to see the memorial to Bill Shankly. It was more of a pilgrimage really and it struck us that only Liverpool supporters could do something like that to pay homage to one of our greats. Last Christmas thoughts turned to where to visit next and the obvious choice was Hetton-le-Hole, the birth place of Bob Paisley. I looked into it and found that the only memorial to the great man in his hometown was a small plaque high on the wall of one of Bobs former schools.
Our immediate thought was that the supporters of Liverpool Football Club may be able to improve on that.
We think that if a memorial exists for Bill Shankly at the town of his birth then Bob Paisley should be honoured in the same way.
Bob Paisley is our most successful manager with a total of 3 European Cups, 6 League Titles, 3 League Cups, 1 UEFA Cup, 1 European Super Cup and 5 Charity Shields. Bob was named Manager Of The Year 6 times.
All this during a managerial career spanning just 8 seasons.
In 52 years of loyal service to Liverpool Football club, Bob was a player, physiotherapist, coach, manager and director. His achievements will surely be unsurpassed in the game.
In short, Bob Paisley is a World Football Great.
We approached the Paisley family in Liverpool with our idea to construct a memorial to Bob in Hetton-le-Hole. The Paisley family are delighted with the idea and would love to see this become a reality.
We then approached Hetton Town Council. They were really impressed with the idea and in early January invited us to Hetton to meet some of the local councillors and to show us around a few potential sites for the proposed memorial. We have since met with stone masons and construction firms in the Hetton-le-Hole area.
The local people of Hetton-le-Hole are very keen on this idea and fully support it.
Since then things have moved on to the point that we’re ready to commission the project, which will be similar to the Glenbuck memorial.
So now its up to us, the supporters of Liverpool F.C, to make this a reality.
We have decided to open this appeal fund so that supporters from home and abroad can make this happen. What we’re looking for is for supporters either through personal donations or as supporters clubs/organisations to donate whatever they can so that we can get this done as soon as possible, hopefully this summer.
We have already contacted as many supporters clubs as we can in case they need time to organise any fund raising events, should they wish.
A fund raising night is planned by us at The Sandon on March 29th. Details will be available soon, and tickets will be an affordable £10.
Myself and my 12 year old son Jack Graves will be doing a sponsored walk up Englands highest peak Scafell Pike towards the end of April, more details of this will be released soon.
Some websites and supporters clubs have already expressed an interest in holding events so that they can raise funds while celebrating the achievements of Bob Paisley.
If anyone would like further information please contact us at paisleymemorial@hotmail.co.uk
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES ARE NOW CLOSED - THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED.Thank you.
Ian Graves
For and on behalf of The Bob Paisley Memorial Committee.
paisleymemorial@hotmail.co.uk
