Walk of ChampionsThe Bootroom Boys

The Boot Room became legendary for what it represented. In this glorified cubby-hole, deep in the bowels of Anfield’s old Main Stand, Liverpool’s path to domestic and European domination was plotted.

It is where the Liverpool brains trust of the sixties, seventies and eighties gathered. Where they talked tactics and transfers, analysed performances and prepared for games. The decisions made here helped shape the history of the club.

Its creation is widely credited to Joe Fagan and contrary to popular belief Bill Shankly did not spend much time in there. It was solely the domain of the coaching staff. Men like Fagan, Bob Paisley, Rueben Bennett, Ronnie Moran, Roy Evans, Tom Saunders, Geoff Twentyman and John Bennison.

It became known as the Boot Room because that’s essentially what it was; a room where boots were kept. It was also used to store crates of ale that Fagan was regularly sent as way of a thank-you for helping out a local amateur team and this made it a natural place for the coaches to gather.

Although it was out of bounds to players, they had to knock on the door and wait outside, opposition managers were warmly welcomed in after games and, over a drink or two, the Boot Room sages would pick their brains, constantly probing for clues as to how they could keep Liverpool one step ahead of the game.

For over three decades it was viewed as the epicentre of the club’s uprising. It was the talk and envy of football, and it took on an almost mythical status. But as Fagan once attempted to explain, ‘It's the people in the club. It’s the people that make it. There's no magic; no, there's no magic.

Its demolition in 1996, as part of Anfield’s refurbishment process, was widely mourned but while the bricks and mortar may have long since disappeared what it stood for hasn’t and that ethos will never die.