LFC History
The team was originally created after a dispute at board level resulted in Everton splitting into two in 1892. After the FA refused to acknowledge the newly formed team as Everton, the club began playing under the moniker of Liverpool FC. Once the team had been formally recognised by the FA, they were able to rise quickly through the ranks. The team came top in the Lancashire League in their first competitive season and were immediately promoted to the FA Second Division. Within a few seasons, the team were promoted to the First Division. By 1901, the team had won the First Division for the first time.
After 1923, the fortunes of the team went into decline. Liverpoool didn’t win any more trophies until the 1946-1947 season, which also meant they’d won the First Division again. A second period of decline was then marked by relegation to the 2nd Division in 1954. After losing to a non-league team during an FA cup match in the 1958-1959 season, it was decided that a real shake up was needed to turn the team around. Enter the great Bill Shankly. He soon let go 24 players and developed a whole new system of play for the team.
At his request, a special room was created at Anfield where the manager and coaches could discuss tactics. This management style helped to create a cleverer type of play which turned the team’s fortunes around. Under Shankly’s management, the team won the League again. They also won the FA Cup for the first time ever in 1966. During the 1973-1974 season, Liverpool won a historic double of the League and the UEFA Cup.
After managing the team for 15 years, Shankly stepped down as manager following another FA Cup victory in 1974. Shankly’s right hand man, Bob Paisley, took over the management position at Anfield. He led the team during a hugely successful nine season spell, which saw the team winning the League six times, the League Cup three times, the European Cup three times and the UEFA Cup once. The only major trophy that Paisley was unable to secure for the team was the Football Association (FA) Cup.
When Paisley stepped down in 1983, he was replaced by his assistant Joe Fagan. Fagan had been another member of Shankly’s Boot Room tactical team, and was therefore well versed in the secrets of Liverpool’s success. In his first season as manager, Liverpool became the first English side to win three major trophies in 1 year, securing the League title, the League Cup and the European Cup.
The 1980s were marred by tragedy for Liverpool Football Club. In 1985, Liverpool fans were involved in the Heysel Stadium Disaster which resulted in the deaths of 39 spectators. As a result of this incident, Liverpool were banned from competing in Europe for 6 years. A second tragedy occurred when poor crowd control led to the deaths of 96 people at the Hillsborough stadium when Liverpool were playing Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final. This incident led to huge changes being made to football stadia across the UK. These changes were put in place to help to protect spectators.
The 1990’s saw Liverpool’s performances go into decline again. The team underwent a few management changes until the arrival of Gérard Houllier. In 2001, the team won another “treble” by securing the FA Cup, the League Cup and the UEFA Cup. During the new millennium, the club itself changed hands a few times with large American investors buying majority stakes in the club. Although these decisions proved controversial with fans, the transactions did allow the club to buy some huge name stars. At present, the team are managed by Jürgen Klopp, who is hoping to maintain the successes of the side.
Leave a Reply