Posthumous Knighthood For Bob Paisley?

A Labour Party MP in the United Kingdom has apparently tabled a motion in government to grant the former Liverpool manager, Bob Paisley, with a posthumous knighthood 11 years after his death. And the weight behind the campaign is growing as more and more MPs are joining in and 25,000 people have signed a petition on the Prime Minister’s website as well.

The MP at the centre of the campaign, George Howarth, said, “Bob was the most successful manager in football history and was held in great affection for his outstanding knowledge and modesty.”

In Paisley’s nine years in charge at Anfield he won six league titles, three European cups, three League cups and one Uefa cup. Not too shabby! Bet the current manager would like to emulate that little lot.

George Howarth’s motion is supported by five other MPs including some Labour colleagues who are even Everton supporters.

Mark Lawrenson, the former Liverpool defender who partnered Alan Hansen so effectively in Paisley’s final years at Liverpool said he and all his team-mates would be delighted by a posthumous honour.

Lawrenson said, “I think it would be fantastic. He was a brilliant manager. Everyone in the team I played for would be absolutely delighted if this comes about.”

The current Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has also added his backing for the campaign saying, “I was never fortunate enough to play under Bob Paisley, but everyone at Anfield knows what a great manager and a great man he was.

“You only have to look at his record as a manager to realise that he was up there with the best - three European Cups speaks for itself. ”

I’m sure all Liverpool fans will think it a great idea but then say, “well, if Paisley gets one than Shankly should too!” I suppose, where to you stop, I mean what about Jock Stein, Brian Clough? To mention just two. In fact Spurs fans have already attempted, albeit unsuccessfully, to have their former former player and manager Bill Nicholson awarded with a posthumous knighthood. Nicholson died in October 2004.

The Soccer Blogger