Gordon Milne rose to prominence during his time playing for Liverpool, where he played a crucial role in the early years of Bill Shankly’s successful tenure at Anfield. He gained recognition at the international level when he was given his debut for England by Sir Alf Ramsey in a friendly match against Brazil in 1963.
Milne was acquired from Preston North End for a significant fee of £16,000, making him one of Shankly’s first major signings. He played a pivotal role in the team’s triumphs during the 1963/64 and 1965/66 seasons, which saw them clinch the league title.
In his book titled “Shankly, My Dad and Me,” Milne shares an intriguing tale about his experience as the former manager of Leicester City. Influenced by his football-loving father, Milne achieved success not only as a player but also as a manager and administrator. Throughout his career, he had the privilege of playing alongside and working with football legends such as Finney, Moore, Mortensen, Greaves, and Lineker, among others. He received 14 caps for England under Sir Alf Ramsey, narrowly missing out on a spot in the World Cup-winning squad in 1966.
However, Milne’s book delves beyond the statistics of games, goals, and medals. Instead, it presents a captivating narrative that spans six decades, chronicling his incredible journey through the world of football and the remarkable individuals he encountered along the way.
From his early days at Preston to his stints at Liverpool, Blackpool, Wigan, Turkey, and Japan, Milne shares his story with honesty, humility, and humor – all the while expressing profound gratitude for a bout of glandular fever that played a significant role in shaping his life.
His time at Leicester City is well-documented in the book, as he led the team from the second division to the top flight, providing a solid foundation for the future careers of Gary Lineker and Alan Smith, both of whom went on to represent England and achieve success at club level. Lineker went on to play for Everton, Barcelona, and Tottenham, while Smith thrived at Arsenal.
Even when he ventured abroad again, Milne maintained connections with Leicester City by managing Gary Lineker at Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan and Ian Wilson at Besiktas in Turkey.
This fascinating and enjoyable read has been added to our collection of Leicester City books available at our bookshop, providing fans with an opportunity to delve deeper into the club’s history.
