The inaugural Spirit of Shankly Cup will get underway on Saturday 11 June in Cumnock, East Ayrshire.

A junior’s football tournament, it will bring together eight teams – four from Liverpool and four from East Ayrshire, where Bill Shankly was born in the mining village of Glenbuck in 1913.

The competition was originally scheduled to be played in June 2020 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Shankly joining Liverpool FC in December 1959. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it had to be postponed.

After the matches, the players and coaches will head to the Robert Burns Academy for a presentation and well-deserved food. 

Barbara Alexander, Shankly’s niece and Karen Gill, his granddaughter, will be among those handing out the medals to the youngsters who participated. Karen said: “It’s a brilliant tribute to my grandad’s legacy that Spirit of Shankly have helped arrange this tournament. It’s something special that will help honour his memory in a fitting manner. Playing in Ayr, makes it doubly special.”

Spirit of Shankly’s Stephen Monaghan said: “It’s a personal honour to be involved.To see youngsters from Liverpool and Ayrshire brought together under Shankly’s name is a fantastic, fitting tribute to the great man.”

The Teams
From Liverpool Kingsthorn Warriors, Parkview Colts, Dynamo Childwall, South Liverpool
From Ayr Crosshouse Boys Club, Townhead Thistle, Cumnock Juniors, Stewarton Annick