Merseyside teams came out on top at the 2025 Shankly Cup, with SGA Internationals lifting the main trophy and Marine winning the Shankly Shield after a brilliant day of youth football in Liverpool.

 Held on Saturday June 28 at Wyncote Sports Ground — home of the Steven Gerrard Academy — the tournament brought together eight under-13 teams from across the UK and Ireland to celebrate football, community, and the enduring legacy of Bill Shankly.

The Shankly Cup is organised, funded and run by Spirit of Shankly, and was originally devised by former committee member Stephen Monaghan, who remains the driving force behind the event.

This year marked the first time the tournament was hosted in Liverpool, following previous tournaments in Cumnock, East Ayrshire – near to Bill Shankly’s home village of Glenbuck.

The competing teams were:

• SGA Internationals, Steven Gerrard Academy, Marine, Marshalls, and Kingsley United (all Liverpool)
• Lucan United (Dublin, Ireland)
• Cumnock Juniors and Stewarton Annick (East Ayrshire, Scotland).

Teams contested group stages before a set of knockout rounds. In the final, SGA Internationals beat their SGA teammates on penalties after a 1–1 draw to win the Shankly Cup, and Marine edged out Lucan United 1–0 to claim the Shankly Shield.

The day was officially opened by George Sephton, the Voice of Anfield, and attended by Karen Gill, Bill Shankly’s granddaughter; Barbara Alexander, his niece; and Paul Khan, Chair of Spirit of Shankly.

“The Shankly Cup has grown into something really special — and this year’s tournament was the best yet,” Paul said.

 “It was a brilliant day of football, full of energy, respect and everything grassroots sport should be about.

 “Huge thanks to everyone who made it happen — all the teams who travelled, every player who gave their all, the coaches, families, spectators, and everyone who volunteered on the day.

 “Thanks also to Fans Supporting Foodbanks and the Steven Gerrard Academy for their support, to George Sephton for opening the tournament, and to Peter Carney for helping bring the city’s football story to life by arranging a tour for the visiting teams.

 “Credit as well to Stephen Monaghan, who came up with the idea and has driven it from the start. The tournament reflects the values Bill Shankly stood for — fairness, unity and community — and it was great to see his family there and proud of what it’s become.”

Each team received a commemorative pennant, and the winners took home a Shankly statue crafted by sculptor Tom Murphy, the artist behind the iconic statue of Shankly outside The Kop.

Donations were collected on the day by Fans Supporting Foodbanks, and Spirit of Shankly volunteers helped ensure the event ran smoothly from start to finish.

This is just one example of our community work — from supporting youth football and backing foodbanks, to funding arts and drama classes for Liverpool children, free debt and welfare advice services in Anfield and Toxteth, and campaigning for fairness in the game.

None of it would be possible without our members and those who regularly donate to Spirit of Shankly.

If you’re not already a member, it’s just £10 a year – less than £1 a month, and it helps us to keep doing work that makes a difference.

👉 Join here: spiritofshankly.com/join