Author Topic: #SHANKLY100 The one....The only....Mr Ian Callaghan  (Read 14213 times)

Offline Em5y

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#SHANKLY100 The one....The only....Mr Ian Callaghan
« on: September 18, 2003, 09:22:48 pm »

The one....The only....Mr Ian Callaghan.

Right – Picture the scene. Liverpool are in the Second Division, and have been for far too long in the opinion of most reds. The only real shining light at the time being Billy Liddell. So imagine the panic caused when Bill Shankly decides to drop Liddell and drop an 18 year old called Callaghan into the fray.

Many believe that his Anfield debut came against Bristol Rovers in April 1960. In fact Ian Callaghan got a taste of Anfield six years previously in the Catholic Schools Intermediate Knock-Out Cup when he turned out for St Patricks and helped them beat All Saints 1-0. It was not the last match Callaghan won on the infamous Anfield turf.

He won on his Liverpool debut 4-1, and went on to play a further 855 games for the Mighty Reds spanning two decades and numerous trophies. Ian Callaghan was an exciting right-sided winger breaking in to a Liverpool team which was just beginning to break the shackles of mediocrity to go on and become one of the most successful and exciting sides ever seen. The side included players like a young Roger Hunt, Jimmy Melia, Alan A’Court, Dave Hickson, Gerry Byrne, Bobby Campbell and of course – Ronnie Moran. We all know Ronnie Moran – he is a winner with the kind of abrasive character needed to succeed in life. He soon recognised the talent in Callaghan and was quick to offer him advice on ways he could improve his game (a clear indication of the work that lay ahead for Moran!). Callaghan was willing to take on board any of the ideas Moran could offer him later admitting “I don’t know how I would have managed without him. It was a big step up playing in the first team, and I don’t know how I would have coped without somebody keeping an eye on me and helping me out of difficult situations. I soon learned that at Liverpool, we were essentially part of a team and depended on each other.”

The immediate thing that became apparent about Callaghan was his huge enthusiasm and boundless energy – he was applauded off the pitch after his debut by his team mates. Shankly’s job was to harness that energy in to a way that would benefit Liverpool. Shankly (as with so many players it seems) felt he had to build Callaghan up so that it would be difficult to knock him off the ball – and with the fierce competition Shanks was introducing to the squad at this time – it was 18 months before Ian could claim to be a first team regular.

It was in the promotion season of 1961-62 that Callaghan made the breakthrough. We all know that Bill was a stickler for fitness – so it is easy to see why he was such a big fan of Cally. He covered the whole of the right wing for 90 minutes non-stop. His distribution of the ball was intelligent as well as unselfish. He epitomised Shanks’s theory that you should always make yourself available for a pass. Shankly said of him: “To watch Ian play is to see a player in perpetual motion. It must be terrible to play against him because he never stops running, and he never gives you a moments rest. He is a model professional and a model human being. If there were 11 Callaghans at Anfield there would never be any need to put up a team sheet.”

An argument which is fairly prominent on the MB’s is “Why don’t we ever sign any start players?” My usual reply is that even the Liverpool teams of the past (though we had star players) were made up of players with guts and determination – that is what brought us our 18 titles and 4 European Cups. Callaghan is a shining example of this. He was inexhaustible, and would ignore the toughest of tackles by getting up and fighting again for the ball.
Ian Callaghan was booked on just one occasion in his 18 year career at Anfield – significantly this was in the League Cup replay against Forest at O*d Trafford. We lost to a very dubious penalty and Ian was booked for a push on Peter Withe.

The fitness of Shankly’s team is what took them to the second division title. The opposition struggled to cope with the likes of Hunt, St John, and Peter Thompson battering away at them. They finished 8th in their first season back in the first division and then went on to win two League titles in three years, with an FA Cup thrown in for good measure.

International honours followed, firstly at England Under-23 level, and then with the full England team. Ian was one of the fall-guys when Alf Ramsey decided to go with his ‘wingless wonders’ – and it is criminal that Ian Callaghan only collected 4 International Caps. Ramsey did play Ian once in the 1966 World Cup campaign against France. Callaghan created both goals for Roger Hunt in a 2-0 win, and was promptly dropped. It is difficult to question Ramsey’s judgement when you look at his achievements in the tournament, but you can’t help but feel sorry for Callaghan, I mean, who the hell would want to share a bench with Jimmy Greaves (Sorry, serious head back on now!).

The late sixties were lean times for Liverpool in terms of trophies. Shankly brought in players like Emlyn Hughes, Tony Hateley and Alun Evans. Callaghan stuck to what he knew best – working hard – but when he damaged his cartilage in September 1970 – the doom merchants feared the worst. Shankly was about to break up his team to form a new one, and rumours were prominent that Callaghans career may be over. He had been an automatic choice for the previous eight years and this was his first serious injury. In came more fresh-blood. Heighway, Toshack, Keegan, Brian Hall. It looked ominous for a while – but when he regained his fitness Mr Shankly employed him as a right sided midfielder rather than a winger. It proved to be something of a rebirth for Cally. He said “There’s more space in midfield, and you’re not as restricted as you are when playing on the wing. The main difference is that I don’t carry the ball as much as I did and I let the ball do more of the work.” Simple, yet effective.

When Shanks passed the reigns to Paisley – Cally was still going strong. Tommy Smith said of him “He’ll probably go on for another 20 years because on away trips he never lifts a finger. His room mate once had to make the tea, fetch the papers and run the bath. No wonder he’s still going strong!”

In 1975, 15 years after Callaghan made his debut, there was a whole host of fresh honours to come. First off he was awarded an MBE in the New Years honours list. He was also crowned as 1974-75 Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers Association. He had already become the first red to amass 500 league appearances and he was named as Merseyside Sports Personality of the Year by readers of the Echo. The following season – Cally made 40 out of a possible 42 appearances sticking two fingers up at those who had suggested he was over the hill.

Soon however it did become clear that his time was drawing to a close. Players like Jimmy Case and Terry Mac had broken through – and Cally’s appearances started to wane. Though the number of appearances decreased, he never once let down the team.

Perversely, Callaghan was called up to the England squad at the age of 35 by Ron Greenwood – a full eleven years after his last England appearance where he doubled his total of caps with appearances against Luxembourg and Switzerland. Four caps is a terrible record for such a talented player.

When Ian left Anfield he had smashed every record held previously. Five league titles, two FA Cup winners medals, Two European Cup winners medals, a World Cup winners medal and a Footballer of the Year award. He appeared in 640 league games, 78 FA Cup Ties and 88 European matches – a total of 848 first team matches in all. Even after moving to Swansea he played a further 76 games!

I am too young to have seen Callaghan play – and I’d love to hear the memories of anybody who did witness any of his appearances. However – I do trust the judgement of Bill Shankly – and he said this about our Ian:

“He typifies everything that is good in football, and he has never changed. You could stake your life on Ian.”

That’s good enough for me. Ian Callaghan MBE - Liverpool Legend.

« Last Edit: August 26, 2013, 01:42:34 pm by The 92A »

Offline Mottman

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Re:The one....The only....Mr Ian Callaghan
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2003, 11:10:13 pm »
Superb read, Cally could cover every blade of grass on the pitch and still look able to do it again after 90 minutes.

Cally was and is a cracking bloke on and off the pitch, think he only ever got booked once, and that was a stupid decision, even the opposition players had a go at the ref for booking him.

His only hat-trick came in the League cup game at Anfield in the early 70's against Hull City 4.1 it ended up, Cally had a smile on his face as wide as the Mersey tunnel.
A boy from the Mersey and a Son of Shankly.

Offline koolkamal

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Re:The one....The only....Mr Ian Callaghan
« Reply #2 on: September 19, 2003, 09:32:08 am »
Brilliant, to have players like that in a squad is such a blessing.
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Offline Mirra

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Re:The one....The only....Mr Ian Callaghan
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2003, 03:57:31 pm »
Mr Liverpool- heard him called that before and he deserves it. Its incredible he was only booked once in an 18year career for us, tells you a lot about the man that does.
Nice post
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Offline cyn

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Re:The one....The only....Mr Ian Callaghan
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2003, 06:55:45 am »
Excellent post, Emsy. You should do more of such posts - besides the custard ones  ;D

Offline Em5y

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Re:The one....The only....Mr Ian Callaghan
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2003, 08:57:01 pm »
LOL @ Cyn.

But I like Custard! 8)

Offline sirKennyDaggers

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Re:The one....The only....Mr Ian Callaghan
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2003, 10:14:22 pm »
Cally,what a player,what a gentleman,never stopped running,will always remember his cross for the Saint to score the winner v Leeds in the 1965 FA cup final.
Look after yourself Cally lad!

Offline Andy G

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Re: #SHANKLY100 The one....The only....Mr Ian Callaghan
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2013, 04:24:32 pm »
I have posted this in another thread, but it also seems apt in this one.

A couple of excerpts from a book I am writing for the kids about our family and LFC.

16 September 1963   Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers.  Anfield Stadium, League Div. 1 - Won 6:0

Ian Callaghan made his 84th out of a record 857 appearances for Liverpool.  He also scored his 5th goal of the 50 he scored in total.  There is not much else I can tell you about that match as I have had to look it up.  The reason the game is important is because it was the first game that Liverpool played after the death of my grandmother on my Mum’s side.  My Mum, along with her younger brother, my Uncle Tony and her sister my Auntie Lynne were orphaned on 8th September 1963.  When I looked up this game, I was very chuffed that Ian Callaghan scored because the following day, it was he who came round to the family house (then in Heswall) wearing a beige jumper, underneath which he had a box of Milk Tray for the ready to turn 14, Auntie Lynne.  He had heard about my Grandma’s death from a neighbour with whom he was good friends, and had made the effort to pop ‘round with this little gift.  Ignoring everything Ian did for us, from winning our first FA Cup to winning our first European Cup, he is a total legend in my eyes simply for this one action, and I will always thank him for this ‘little’ effort that meant so much.



15 May 2011  Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur. Anfield Stadium, Premier League – Lost 2-0

Like Norwich in 1994 for the Kops Last Stand, Spurs didn’t read the script.  Uncle Michael’s last match was the perfect performance  when we battered Nottingham Forest 5-0.  My last game as a Season Ticket holder was the 2-1 victory against Spurs.  Dad’s (and Paul’s) last game as a Season Ticket Holder was a dismal defeat, also against Spurs.

Not all was gloomy though.  As you know from reading thus far, Ian Callaghan has a special place in our hearts, not just because he played more games for Liverpool than any other.  Not just because he is the only player to make it from the 2nd Division to European Cup Winner with the Reds, but also his wonderful gesture of bringing the chocolates to my Auntie Lynne after my Grandma died.

With it being his last game,  I wondered who he would most like to meet, and Cally was the obvious choice.  Through a kind contact on RAOTL, I managed to arrange a meeting with the great man.  I would have loved to have been there, but it was not possible, but Paul was just as capable so I knew Dad was in safe hands.

Paul told Dad that he had to meet a mate in the Main Stand, so Dad went with him.  After walking past the European Cup (and the obligatory photo), they entered one of the Anfield suites.  Dad spotted Ian straight away and said to Paul “Oh, there’s Ian Callaghan”.  Cally immediately made a beeline for them and with outstretched hands said “You must be Eddie”.  Dad was totally shocked and Paul gave Cally a trophy to award to dad for 69 years of watching the Reds.  During the conversation, Dad, without prompting, mentioned the visit to Heswall and thanked Ian for this, telling him what it meant to our family.  He even mentioned the box of chocolates.  With that, Paul produced a box of Chocolates and gave them to Cally.  Whilst he could not remember the incident itself, he could remember his friend in Heswall that had told him about the family tragedy and he was delighted with the chocolates which he would “give to my daughter – she will love that story”.

We knew that Cally was on duty looking after the corporate guests and so appreciated his efforts even more, and after 10 minutes he had to return to his duties.  I cannot express how much this wonderful man means to our family, both on and off the football field.  God Bless Ian Callaghan.
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Offline Davvo7

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Re: #SHANKLY100 The one....The only....Mr Ian Callaghan
« Reply #8 on: September 2, 2013, 10:24:51 am »
I was honoured enough to meet 'Cally' at a LFC Stadium tour and meal last year, and absolute bloody star he was. So laid back and down to earth and completely happy to stand and chat and have as many photo's taken as people wanted. The word legend is thrown about all to often these days, but in Ian Callaghan we absolutely do have a legend amongst us.
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Offline oojason

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Re: #SHANKLY100 The one....The only....Mr Ian Callaghan
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2022, 01:20:58 pm »
.
A few videos and some info on Ian Callaghan...






LiverpoolFC.com Player Profile Page: www.liverpoolfc.com/history/past-players/ian-callaghan

LFCHistory.net Player Profile Page: www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/274

Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Callaghan











'A special presentation at half-time to mark the recent 80th birthday of our record appearance holder, Ian Callaghan, last night' (posted on 20th April, 2022):-

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1516689122966097933












'From getting the bus to Anfield for his debut… to making more appearances than anyone else for our club ❤️ On his 80th birthday, let Cally tell you a brilliant story of his past 🙏' :-

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1513083111961153537 (with 1 minute video, from 10th April)



'Liverpool Legend - Ian Callaghan' ('100 players That Shook The Kop'):-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/AT8b7Jg3-os" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/AT8b7Jg3-os</a>



'Liverpool FC: 50 Men Who Made LFC - Ian Callaghan':-

www.facebook.com/LiverpoolFC/videos/liverpool-fc-50-men-who-made-lfc/10156192031222573



'Ian Callaghan - Shankly Stories' (a 4 minute video on how Cally met Shankly for the 1st time and signed for Liverpool as a pro):-

https://vimeo.com/138867265



'Ian Callaghan On 1965 FA Cup Final, Shankly & Gerrard' (a 10 minute video):-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/9McRxuHVYzw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/9McRxuHVYzw</a>



'Happy Birthday Ian Callaghan!' (a 5 minute video by The RedMen TV with Cally talking about his time at the club):-

https://twitter.com/TheRedmenTV/status/1248502235899686912



'LFC Legend Ian Callaghan talks to RAOTL' (an 84 minute video):-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/yLoPnE2Zxpo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/yLoPnE2Zxpo</a>



'Cally's Fab 4 LFC goals' (3 minute video):-

www.dailymotion.com/video/x231okz



'No one has played more games for Liverpool than Ian Callaghan':-

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/927587575996583942 (a 1 minute video)



'The Forever Reds Lifetime Achievement Award is for... The one. The only. Ian Callaghan.':-

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/994653244344369152 (a 2 minute video)



'Sir Roger Hunt and Ian Callaghan giving us an insight into what Shankly was all about and where his loyalties and priorities were in 1966...' ;D :-

https://twitter.com/WeCopyYouDown/status/1443245495229587463 (a 35 second video clip of Liverpool's two 1966 World Cup Winners (Gerry Byrne is the other))



'Ian Callaghan goal vs Arsenal in 1971 - in a 3-2 over Bertie Mee's side':-

https://twitter.com/clemente_carl/status/1098641693866373120



'Ian Callaghan goal v Aston Villa (1976)':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/fu1c_vBmhOg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/fu1c_vBmhOg</a>



'Ian Callaghan's last goal for Liverpool - vs Benfica in 1977-78 European Cup Quarter-Final' (LFC won 4-1):-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/JJJ0v2nrGk0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/JJJ0v2nrGk0</a>

^ or click here to watch - www.youtube.com/v/JJJ0v2nrGk0



'3 Things You Might Not Know About... Ian Callaghan' - a 4 minute video:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/9xQLD7eEen0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/9xQLD7eEen0</a>







Cally is one of only three Englishmen - Bobby Charlton and Nobby Stiles are the others - to have won both the World Cup and European Cup.

































A little more on Cally...


A collection of quotes from players and managers on Cally: www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/3056

'Ian, at 17, has a dream of a debut' (article from The Sunday Express): www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/1853

'The first European night at Anfield': www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/488

'European debut in Iceland': www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/470

'Ian Callaghan – still going strong' (1979 article from The Express): www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/3576

'The unsurpassable record holder who delivered Shankly’s promises': www.thisisanfield.com/2022/07/ian-callaghan-the-unsurpassable-record-holder-who-delivered-shanklys-promises

Ian Callaghan: Liverpool’s Most Underrated Legend: www.sportingferret.com/2022/05/12/ian-callaghan-liverpools-most-underrated-legend

Ian Callaghan profile at The National Football Museum: www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/ian-callaghan/#:~:text=Callaghan

Cally collects his MBE in 1975: https://playupliverpool.com/1975/02/04/ian-callaghan-collects-his-m-b-e-honour

Ian Callaghan on why 1977 European Cup win was turning point in club's history: www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/liverpool-icon-ian-callaghan-explains-22079125

Ian Callaghan on 50 Years since England's 1966 World Cup Victory: www.vavel.com/en/football/2016/07/13/liverpool-fc/668889-vavel-exclusive-ian-callaghan-on-50-years-since-englands-1966-world-cup-victory.html

Some of Cally's England team info and stats: www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamPlyrsBios/PlayersC/BioCallaghanIR.html








Ian Callaghan testimonial match : Liverpool XI vs Lancashire XI - at Anfield in September 1977. Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly lead out the teams:-



^ Match Info: www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/FriendlyGame/8081















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• A mini-index of RAWK's 'Liverpool Audio / Video thread' content info for years gone by, recent times, Season Reviews, Cup Final victories - Domestic, European, and World...


www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=345769.msg17787576#msg17787576 & www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=112969.0

« Last Edit: November 7, 2022, 04:27:44 pm by oojason »
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Some 'Useful Info' for following the football + TV, Streams, Highlights & Replays etc - www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=345769

A mini-index of RAWK's 'Liverpool Audio / Video Thread' content over the years; & more - www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=345769.msg17787576#msg17787576