Former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard recorded an uplifting video message to young players before they took part in a tournament dedicated to an Anfield legend.
Gerrard was on hand to send his best wishes to the young soccer stars as the first-ever Spirit of Shankly Cup was staged at The Barony Campus, Cumnock.
Bill Shankly, who led Liverpool to three First Division championships, two FA Cups and UEFA Cup glory, was born in the Ayrshire village of Glenbuck and is widely regarded as one of the club's greatest managers.
Before the tournament got underway, former Liverpool skipper Gerrard, now boss at Aston Villa, recorded a short video wishing all the participating teams good luck on the day.
He said: “What an opportunity to go and represent the great man’s name, good luck to everyone!”
Under-13s teams from Crosshouse Boys' Club, Cumnock Juniors, Stewarton Annick and Townhead Thistle represented East Ayrshire, while Liverpool was represented by Dynamo Childwall, Kingsthorne Warriors, Parkview Colts and South Liverpool.
After the group games and two competitive semi-finals were completed, Dynamo Childwall and Kingsthorne made the Shankly Cup Final and Crosshouse and Stewarton made the Shankly Shield Final.
The winners were: (Shankly Cup) Kingsthorne, (Shankly Shield) Stewarton Annick.
East Ayrshire Depute Provost Claire Leitch was joined at the tournament by locally-elected members, councillors Jim McMahon, Neill Watts, Alyson Simmons and June Kyle plus Bill Shankly’s niece, Barbara Alexander.
Councillor Leitch said: “I was delighted to attend the inaugural Spirit of Shankly tournament at The Barony Campus and to meet friends old and new from Liverpool.
“The Spirit of Shankly has worked closely with the council before, recognising the achievements and life of the great Bill Shankly.
“Bill Shankly was born in the small village of Glenbuck, near to Muirkirk, and became one of our greatest and most inspirational football managers, achieving success with Liverpool FC.
“We have erected a monument in his honour within Glenbuck but like so many things, the pandemic meant we had to put plans for a football tournament on hold.
“It was incredibly special for everyone to be together again and pay tribute to such a great man."
Before the pandemic, the Spirit of Shankly, the Liverpool FC Supporters' Union, approached the council hoping to organise a cup competition to celebrate the life of the great man.
And the council was only too keen to be involved and worked closely with the group to make the tournament a reality.
Stephen Monaghan from the Spirit of Shankly said: “Shankly’s legacy has created an unbreakable bond between communities in East Ayrshire and in Liverpool. His values are as important today, as they were 60 years ago, and this tournament is an amazing tribute to him.
“All the teams played with passion and commitment and Kingsthorne and Stewarton Annick were both worthy winners.
“I would like to thank East Ayrshire Council and Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise for working with us to make the tournament such a success and I hope that this can become an annual event."
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