Topic: Exclusive interview with Phil Thompson

[Skeever]

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Here is our latest exclusive interview

Phil Thompson spent 25 years at the Reds as player, captain, reserve team trainer, assistant manager and acting manager, so because there's so much to get through, this interview will be split into two sections - the first part concentrating on his playing career and the second next week on his days as coach and manager.

"We were playing Arsenal at home and Bob said: 'I'm changing the captain. Phil is going to be captain.' I was so pleased and thrilled. I went down the steps at Anfield, touched the sign. I came up the steps. I go out on the pitch, straight over to the edge of the penalty area. What I had in my mind was that my brother, Owen, was on the Kop. I was looking for my brother. I hear everybody laughing. Clapping first and then laughing. I am thinking: 'What's going on here?' I am waving to my brother and I turned round and the players were still in the tunnel. They allowed me to walk out on my own. They were killing themselves laughing."
 
Here is the link... http://www.lfchistory.net/redcorner_articles_view.asp?article_id=2245

Previous interviews from our latest series of exclusives:
 
- Ian Callaghan
- Gerry Byrne
 
LFChistory.net is an accessible website for stats and historical articles on Liverpool FC. LFChistory.net has all the results from official games, every goalscorer, every single line-up and profiles of all players who have appeared on Liverpool's teamsheet since the 1892/93 season.

[Rox]

Fantastic, thanks for a great read!

[Xpander]

thanks..an enjoyable read

[4pool]

Excellent read that....thanks.

[lachesis]

quality, enjoyed that

[royhendo]

brilliant - am loving these, cheers!

[yafoy]

great lad, remember wembley 74, as a young lad, big game with Emlyn at the back, had surprised everyone with 2 centre backs (no "normal centre half") ...and on the day showed massive maturity & put M.Macdonald in his "back pocket"..YNWA

[zz19a]

Great read. More please...

[LincsRedbob]

Didnt realise how poorly treated he was in the later playing days.

Love him on Sky when he's constantly standing up for us v Charle Prick & Merse

[M-Lynn]

Ta, can't wait for part two....

[hassinator]

great link, great interview and great site.

good work sir.

[Jason_King]

Thats a really, really good article. 

[Callaghan.]

loved the Ian Callaghan interview. i wish he got talked about more. looking forward to this one. thanks for great interview; real class and good photos too - streets ahead of liverpoolfc.tv.

[Helsinki Red]

Great read! Cheers!

[gazzalfc]

Another great read from the guys over at lfchistory.net.

You guys are the luckiest Liverpool fans in the world to be able to get to talk to real Anfield Legends.

I think its made for fans like me who have been brought up as a red but wasn't born during those golden years so have to hear it second hand. Just to get the chance to hear stories like those from the horses mouth is a real education and a pleasure.

[babeltime]

Great read, can't wait for part 2.

[tezmac]

Great read that

[Mother.F]

Wow, that was fantastic, can't wait for part 2.

[Phil M]

Thanks for posting, brilliant interview. Thommo's a legend.
Worth reading for this Shankly quote alone:

"When I saw young Phil I decided he had tossed up with a sparrow for his legs and lost.
He was not the strongest boy in the world, but he had heart.
The ability was there, plus the ambition and the passion, the will to win."  - Bill Shankly

Brilliant 

Cheers Skeever.

[Slick_Beef]

Terrific read that, thanks very much. Very honest interview there.

[Zeb]

Cheers for the link to those interviews. More please

[kopk1w1]

Great stuff mate thanks

Should be good next time, Diouf, Diao and the ones that got away ........

[Terry de Niro]

I loved this bit..

Any favourite Shankly stories?

"My own particular story was from those early days when I was a midfield player. I played a few games and we were playing Arsenal at Anfield. I played the week before and when the teams were announced I was substitute. I was only eighteen. We got beat 2-0, John Radford and Alan Ball scored the goals. After the game Ronnie Moran stopped me in the corridor and he said: 'Have you asked Shanks why you didn't play?' I said: 'Ronnie, I am only 18 years of age. I don't have any sort of rights to be playing regularily.' And he said: 'It's not just that, son. Shanks will think more of you if you go and ask him why didn't you play.' He will think: 'That's what I want to see. A fellow who has got balls.'

I went home and spoke with me mum and said: 'What do you think?' Ronnie was my mentor and she said: 'If Ronnie says that, you should go and do it.' So, Monday morning I pluck up the courage. Shanks is just coming out of his office so I go to him and he says: 'Yes, son. What can I do for you?' 'Can I have a word, boss?' I go into his office and he says: 'Yes, son. What is it?' What can I do for you?' 'I would like to know why I didn't play on Saturday?' 'Jesus Christ, son, you wanna know why you didn't play on Saturday? You should be in here thanking me for not playing ya!' That load of rubbish out there on Saturday are finished. Your Smith, your Callaghan, your Lawler. They are all finished. They're all has-beens. They have no chance. But you, son, are going to play for this football club for many years to come. You are going to captain this football club, you are going to play for your country and don't be surprised if you are going to captain your country. Jesus Christ almighty, son! You should be here on your bended knees thanking me for not playing ya!'

I never said any more words. I just got up. I bowed. I walked out and honestly my head was so big I caught my head on the door frame and felt absolutely ten foot tall. The only problem was he still picked the same team the following week. That was his psychology. That was how clever he was. Shanks built you up and he knew how to do it. But he also knew the other players and he gave them another chance." 

[dudleyred]

Looking forward to part 2 already! 

A great read