'He'd back Kenny 100 per cent'

Karen, thanks for taking the time to talk to us. It's 30 years today since your grandfather passed away, how do you plan to mark the anniversary?

Ideally, I'd like to have marked it by being home in Liverpool with the rest of my family. But because I live in Greece it isn't possible. I'll probably spend it in a similar fashion to the way I have marked the last few anniversaries, which is sharing it online with lots of football fans from around the world. As the years go by I am just astounded at the amount of e-mails and messages I get. It is so overwhelming. It seems to grow in number with each passing year. It's a bit of a phenomenon really. I literally spend the entire day writing to people. I get so many lovely texts, e-mails and messages with people sharing their memories. I always look to respond to all of them too which can sometimes take me from morning until night!

What are your fondest memories of you grandfather?

It's always the simple things really. I used to love going with him when he took the dog for a walk to the Everton training ground. I remember running around there playing with him. Most of my memories involve other people. He used to take us to a place called Capaldi's which was an ice cream parlour. You knew that you'd have five minutes of his time and then he'd be surrounded. If it was a special occasion he would take us to the Lord Nelson in town. That was a really nice hotel and we used to have a lovely meal there. Even then, he'd be surrounded by people. Everyone loved talking to him. I suppose the nicest memories are when we were at home with him. We would often stay the night and he would come and tell us stories about Glenbuck before bedtime. It was probably the only time that you would have him to yourself and they are the moments that I cherish most.

The anniversary is obviously poignant for your family, but will also be marked with great respect by the football world, what does that mean to you?

Well you are right, and it isn't just Liverpool Football Club and our supporters, it's the football community as a whole who remember him. I noticed recently that an Everton fan had written a beautiful piece about him and they had published it as a blog on the internet. It means a lot to the family because it shows that he was respected throughout the football world, especially in Britain. As soon as I moved to Greece I came to realise just how much people in Europe knew about him too. It obviously makes me very proud.

How would he have felt to know that supporters still cherish memories of him and look to mark anniversaries such as these in the most respectful way possible?

If he knew how revered he still is and how strong the feeling is towards him and his legend, then I think that would go a long way to make up for any sadness he felt at leaving Liverpool too soon. I don't think he should have resigned when he did. In his last few years I don't think he was happy and I think he realised he had made a mistake by leaving Liverpool when he did. If he could see it and look down, I'm sure he would be extremely moved by the feeling towards him and his achievements.

And what about Liverpool, how pleased have you been by the way the football club have honoured his memory over the years?

Liverpool have always been very supportive and are always keen to recognise the legacy that he left behind. You can just see that when you go to the ground, Melwood or the offices in Chapel Street. Everywhere you go there is a quote or a statue, something that reminds everybody of what he once did at this great club. It's fantastic for us to see that, of course.

Would he approve of the current Liverpool and the return of King Kenny Dalglish as manager?

(Laughs) Absolutely. A fellow Scot as well! He was always the best choice and I know he would have been 100 per cent behind him.

Liverpool have what was arguably Shankly's favourite fixture this weekend, a clash with Everton. It would be nice to mark the week of the anniversary with three points there, wouldn't it?

Of course. He loved the derby and the good-natured banter that it brought about. Maybe it isn't quite as friendly as it was back in his day and I'd think he'd love to see all of the fans mixed in together again. I know he often teased Evertonians and there is the famous quote of his about drawing the curtains if they were playing in his back yard. He used to go to Everton quite a lot and even had physiotherapy there sometimes, so he did have a lot of respect for the blue half of Merseyside. But he also loved beating them too! Hopefully that will be the case on Saturday.

You were installed as the chairperson of the Supporters' Committee earlier this year. How proud would Bill Shankly be that his granddaughter is playing a role in modern day Liverpool?

It's such a great honour for me. My grandfather didn't have a son and he didn't have a male grandchild while he was alive. One was born after he had passed away, so he was always surrounded by girls. I know he wanted a boy and wanted someone to follow in his footsteps. So for me, this is the next best thing. I can try and help support the people that he thought the world of - the fans. I know he respected the Liverpool supporters and held them in the highest esteem. I don't think it was realistic for me to play football, so this is the next best thing! I hope I can do him and the club proud.