The man who ran onto the pitch to kiss Bill Shankly’s boots shares Jurgen Klopp’s message

Ernie Ashley has witnessed everything there is to see as a Liverpool FC fan.

The 81-year-old fell in love with the Reds aged 6 when his father took him to his first game at Anfield. A glimpse of the hallowed grounds of L4 Stadium began a 75-year love affair that took Ernie around the world as he was there to experience his team winning every major trophy in the game.

Things were much different in his early days of supporting the club, as Ernie recalls when the team languished in the Second Division. However, the club’s trajectory changed in 1959 when Bill Shankly was appointed manager and transformed the team into one of the biggest forces in the sport.

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Ernie was 16 when Shankly joined and didn’t know what to expect from the incoming boss. However, the supporter was one of millions to form a special bond with the legendary Scot, as Ernie’s home in Woolton is still adorned with photographs and tributes to the man who became much more than a football manager.

He told the ECHO: “There are special people in your life that you appreciate and never forget. From a young age, he was like my second father. He transformed the club and loved the fans. Experiencing it was something else. .”

Ernie crossed paths with his idol on several occasions as he followed the team home and away with his group of Huyton colleagues during Shankly’s 15-year managerial reign. He recounts incredible stories from this period, such as being thanked by the manager for being one of the volunteers who helped clear the snow and ice from the Anfield pitch during the ‘Big Freeze’ of 1962/63.

Another brilliant story involved Shankly responding to an invitation from his friend Ernie to come to a birthday party in Huyton and allow people to try his white poppy. However, the most memorable encounter came after Shankly’s last game as manager in 1974, when the Reds beat

.

Ernie was among the crowd at Wembley and decided to commemorate the triumph by running onto the pitch to kneel in front of Shankly and kiss his shoes. The former Cunard worker said: “Something came over me. It was done on impulse. It spoke to me as a child and I just wanted to be part of its presence.

“I said to myself during the game ‘what a performance this is.’ I have family in Australia and I knew they would be watching.

“Millions of Liverpool fans were happy all over the world and I just wanted to say on their behalf: ‘Thank you Bill for making us all happy.’ I paid her respects and kissed her pretty black shoes.”

Ernie laughed as he said, “I think Bill said ‘take care of your shoes when you’re down there.’ Or maybe he said to himself “you again Ernie” because I ran behind him after the UEFA Cup final win against him. Borussia Mönchengladbach (one year before).”

Ernie’s passion for the Reds remains as strong as ever as he still holds onto his season ticket in the Main Stand. Liverpool supporters are bracing for a similar moment to Shankly’s exit this week as Jurgen Klopp’s nine-year spell at the club is set to come to an end.

Ernie drew comparisons between Shankly and Klopp, saying why the German’s surprise announcement in January sparked a similar response to Shankly’s departure 50 years ago. He added: “Both come from the same mould.

“They are both good socialists, caring and down-to-earth people. Certain names will live forever. Shankly will because he was a genuine man and Klopp will live for the same reason.”

However, Ernie is laughing as he revealed he has no plans to recreate his famous Shankly photo with Klopp after the game against Wolves. He said, “I can’t run now. I have a gammy foot

“Those days are long over. Maybe I’ll shed a little tear that day, like thousands of others will. We’ll never see another manager like Klopp in this era.”

Ernie is excited about the next chapter of supporting Liverpool as he has already renewed his season ticket for next year and said Klopp’s principles will continue to run at the club just as Shankly did. Ernie is now in his 80s and credits his passion for football and listening to his hero’s records as the key to his long life as he looks forward to what lies ahead.

He said: “I always go for walks and listen to Shanks tapes. This is my secret.”

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