Blood Red: New book tells story of Liverpool FC’s historic double winning side

Nov 26 2011 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL fans Gary Shaw and Mike Nevin have penned a new book ‘On the March with Kenny’s Army’ which tells the story of the 1985/86 double-winning season.

It charts how the Reds overcame tragedy and despair in the aftermath of Heysel to clinch the league title and win the FA Cup in player-boss Kenny Dalglish’s first campaign in charge.

In the summer of 1985 hooliganism was rampant, English sides were banned from Europe, attendances were falling, a TV dispute meant there were no televised games and the sport had reached a new low.

Liverpool had been trophyless for the first time in 10 years the previous season and with a new, inexperienced manager in charge of what many saw as an ageing side predictions were gloomy.

However, amazingly Everton were beaten to the league title on the final day and they were defeated again in the first all-Merseyside FA Cup final a week later.

Placing Liverpool’s season in its wider social context, with match-by-match analysis, fan and player recollections and profiles, ‘On the March With Kenny’s Army’ tells the in-depth story of this incredible feat for the very first time.

The book will be officially launched at the Static Gallery in Liverpool city centre on Thursday, December 1 from 7pm and all supporters are welcome.

It costs £13.99 and to pre-order a copy visit www.onthemarch.co.uk