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A forward thinking man who not only changed the playing and training methods but also the ethos of the club, laying the foundations for where we are today to be treated in such an unfair manner, is very hard to fathom.
It's very interesting to note the parallels between Matt Busby and Shanks - aside for the obvious Scots, working class etc
Before he came to pick up the shattered pieces of what was left of Old Trafford after the Luftwaffe had finished with Trafford Park, Matt was offered a third coach position at Anfield - a bit part role for the club's ex-skipper now the war was over. Matt - ever a determined visionary - wanted more than a bit part role. He wanted to call far more shots than any club manager of those times had ever done. Liverpool in making the standard offer of a back room position to him missed the changing mood of the nation post 1945. Had they taken a chance on the 36 year old Busby and his of their time outrageous demands to run the playing side of things who knows what might have happened ?
Shanks was both a big fan and a great friend of Matt. True believers in the ideals of honour, integrity and a feel for the common man, they changed the face of football in this land forever. Interesting too was the role Matt played as club captain of Liverpool in taking a certain youngster from Bishop Auckland and Wearside under his wing immediately prior to WW2.
We all know that in due course that young unassuming bloke from the North East would go on carve his own pride of place - writ large in the annals of our game.
Bloody hell eh - what a time it must have been to have been around such visionaries making their magic with bringing through the raw talent that we had - and still have imo - in these islands of ours.
I believe though that today's football masters - many of them knowing Jack about our game, its history and traditions - and most caring less ! - would never tolerate the time necessary for the building of teams a la Busby, Shanks and Paisley.
These acknowledged greats of our game would have been given very short shrift in the success NOW mentality that pervades and poisons our game.
What on earth has our game become? A cash cow for all the pimps of the planet. Bastards