26 August 1982 - You'll Never Walk Alone Through These Gates

On 26 August 1982, Liverpool unlocked the famous Shankly Gates for the first time.

Erected that year as part of ongoing renovations at Anfield, the gates include the Liverpool badge and bear the words "You'll Never Walk Alone" from the hit song by Gerry & the Pacemakers which was adopted by Liverpool supporters as the club's anthem.

The club dedicated the new gates to former manager Bill Shankly, who had managed Liverpool from 1959 to 1974. During that period, the team won three First Division titles (1964, 1966, 1973), two FA Cup trophies (1965, 1974) and one UEFA Cup trophy (1973). He's also famous for having said "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."

Shankly died on 29 September 1981 from complications related to a heart attack. His widow, Nessie, was the one to unlock the gates for the first time.

The gates eventually made their way onto the official Liverpool crest that is currently in use.

Photo © by Andy Nugent