If you take the Telegraph and have the courage to get to the Sports' Section then you may well have read the following. Apologies, but this is a nice historical moment.
The harsh winter of 1947 brought as much chaos to the English Football League as Covid-19 is doing in 2020. Football was halted by the horrendous weather creating "the season that went on for ever".
June was pencilled in as a closing date and after weeks of speculation, Liverpool were crowned champions of England. Liverpool waited until after the war and were able to celebrate the First Division (top one then) Championship after 24 years. With the War drifting out and peace drifting in, hopes of "normality" faded as the European winter between January and March 1947 took its toll.
Energy supplies failed, animals froze in the fields, businesses closed and the population shut itself away as temperatures dropped to -21 degC.When the snow and ice melted, floods occurred; the Army was called in to help and floods cost in today's terms nearly £15 billion.
The league title involved Liverpool, Stoke, Manchester United and favourites Wolves. With no prospect of getting the season finished in sensible time, the officials extended the season to June. Historical accounts can be found written by journalist Mark Platt and historian Gary Shaw, whose book in 2009 chronicled the event, noticed the similarities with these present events but sadly none of the heroes of the time are around to chat to. Luckily their memories were recorded.
Bill Shankly, Phil Taylor, Bob Paisley and Billy Liddell, one of the greatest players, all had something to share.
Liddell added that the season looked impossible as they had lost their top spot, they had 7 out of 13 league games away; the final four away, the last two at Arsenal and Wolves.
Albert Stubbins, below, was the man and I am sure I have mentioned him before....he had signed in the September from Newcastle and had to choose Liverpool over Everton. His decision came to a toss of a coin! Stubbins scored 24 goals that season and is granted celebrity status on the cover of the "St Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band" album.
The 1947 edition of "The Sports' Spectator" dubbed the squad "The Crazy Gang" and future Liverpool full back, Rob Jones' grandfather was included, Welsh goalie Cyril Suidlow and South African winger, Berry Nieuwenhuys.
George Kay moulded the team together and was a part time sports' psychologist...even then! At the end of the previous season he took the squad to the USA East Coast, where there was no rationing...he topped up his lads on good food, steaks and eggs. The players returned with cases full of "nylon stockings for their wives and girlfriends". Good move chaps, compared to what the nearest neighbours Everton were enjoying!
Liverpool won 10 out their first 16 games, but by the last game of the season, after the stressful winter, Kay's team had to beat Wolves, captained by Stan Cullis, a towering centre half. Cullis, the England CH and international captain had won everything with Wolves but not the League title.
Liverpool won the game 2-1, with goals from Stubbins and Jack Balmer.
All Stoke had to do was win at Sheffield Utd on June 14th. Stoke by this time had sold Stanley Matthews to Blackpool...38 year old Jack Pickering, making his debut for the season, scored the Blades' winner and Liverpool were gifted the title. United had an understrength team.
Liverpool were playing Everton in the Liverpool Senior Cup tie that day as the news arrived. Both teams stopped mid-game and shook hands!
This Liverpool team had aged through the War and despite playing in the FA Cup Final in 1950, losing to Arsenal 0-2, Liverpool were relegated in 1954.
Then Shankly arrived in 1959.
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