After their late lunch, in the late afternoon. The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club were sitting in the boardroom at Elland Road, Leeds. The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club heard the footsteps in the corridor outside. The fast steps, the heavy steps. The knocks upon the door. Fast and heavy.
The chairman of Leeds United said, Come!
Bill Shankly opened the door. Bill Shankly stepped into the boardroom at Elland Road. Bill Shankly looked around the board room. From director to director. And Bill Shankly smiled –
My name is Bill Shankly. I am the manager of Liverpool Football Club. And I’m here to buy Jack Charlton.
The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club stared down the long table at Bill Shankly. And then their chairman asked, And how much would you be willing to pay for Charlton?
Fifteen thousand pounds, said Bill Shankly.
The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club shook their heads. And their chairman said, Charlton will cost you twenty thousand, Shankly. Twenty thousand pounds. And not a penny less.
How about eighteen thousand pounds, said Bill Shankly.
Twenty thousand pounds, Shankly.
Fine, said Bill Shankly. Twenty thousand pounds it is then. But I’ll need to make a telephone call.
The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club smiled. And their chairman said, Then make your call, Shankly.
After his early dinner, in the early evening. Tom Williams picked up the telephone in his hallway. And Tom Williams said, Yes?
Mr Williams? This is Bill Shankly.
Tom Williams said, Good evening, Mr Shankly. What can I –
I’m at Elland Road. At Leeds. And I have fantastic news. Unbelievable news! Leeds United will sell Jack Charlton to us. They will sell him. It’s unbelievable. It’s fantastic news!
Tom Williams said, I’m very glad to hear that, Mr Shankly. And so how much are they asking for Charlton?
Twenty thousand pounds. Just twenty thousand pounds, sir.
Tom Williams sighed. And Tom Williams said, But we sanctioned eighteen thousand pounds, Mr Shankly.
I know that. I know that, sir. But for two thousand pounds more, just two thousand pounds more, they will sell him. And then Jack Charlton will be a Liverpool player.
Tom Williams sighed again. And Tom Williams said, Mr Shankly, as you know, I have spoken with the other directors and I am afraid we can go no higher than eighteen thousand pounds. That is our final offer. Eighteen thousand pounds.
But I know they will not sell him for eighteen thousand pounds, Mr Williams. They are asking for twenty thousand pounds. Just another two thousand, Mr Williams …
Tom Williams said, But our offer is eighteen thousand pounds.
Mr Williams, I have watched Jack Charlton since he was in his teens. I have watched him many times. He plays with authority. He plays with courage. He will be the very backbone of Liverpool Football Club. The very backbone, Mr Williams. And all they want is another two grand. Another two grand and he’ll be ours. Ours …
Tom Williams said, I am sorry, Mr Shankly. It’s eighteen thousand pounds. That is our final offer. Goodbye, Mr Shankly.
After their brandies, with their cigars. The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club were sitting in the dining room at Elland Road. The directors of Leeds United Association Football Club heard the knock upon the door. Not so fast and not so heavy.
The chairman of Leeds United said, Come!
Bill Shankly opened the door. Bill Shankly stepped into the dining room. Bill Shankly looked around the table. From director to director. And Bill Shankly waited.
The chairman of Leeds United said, Well then, Shankly? What do you have to say for yourself?
Our offer is eighteen thousand pounds, said Bill Shankly.
Close the door on your way out, Shankly.
