Callaghan: Why Anfield holds a special place in my heart
Ian Callaghan has revealed why he will never grow tired of explaining to people just how special a place Anfield has in his heart.
As Liverpool’s all-time record appearance holder with 857 matches behind him, the Scouser is an expert when it comes to revealing just what it means to play in front of the Kop.
This weekend LFCTV will bring to life the history of Anfield in a brand new and exclusive documentary. Airing for the first time at 8pm BST on Sunday September 18, This Is Anfield: The Documentary is the entire story of Liverpool’s iconic home.
Speaking about the place he still to this day calls home, Callaghan told Liverpoolfc.com: “We’ve been blessed, because you never get used to coming out of the dressing room at Anfield and touch the ‘This is Anfield’ sign.
“You never got used to it because the atmosphere was just electric. Your stomach was churning and Anfield is something special, it really is.”
No one person probably symbolises Anfield more than a certain Bill Shankly. The Scot is the man who came to the club, laid the foundations and transformed the club to be a worldwide force to be reckoned with.
On September 6 the famous Shankly gates were unveiled at its new home at the entrance to the Centenary Stand.
Asked as to what the gates symbolise, Callaghan said: “Bill Shankly and what Liverpool Football Club is today worldwide.
“This is the man [Shankly] who started it all off because they were a second division club when I joined because I was here just before Mr Shankly arrived. But you know he changed everything and I think what this football club is today it was all began by him without a doubt.
“History at any football club and especially at a club like Liverpool is so important.
“It’s fantastic you can have the Shankly Gates and a statue, and Bob Paisley, because these two gentlemen they did so much for this football club and won so many trophies.
“As I keep saying to people these are the two gentlemen who started it all off – especially Bill Shankly.
“When Shankly walked into a room he just sort of lit it up. People would stop talking because Shankly was in the room and that’s the figure he was.”