Former Liverpool player Phil Chisnall has died aged 78.
The forward holds a unique role in the storied history between the Reds and Manchester United, having been the last player to directly transfer between the two clubs in 1964.
Legendary manager Bill Shankly brought Chrisnall to Anfield and he scored two goals in nine appearances for the club, making his debut as a substitute in the Charity Shield before scoring his first in the European Cup win against KR Reykjavik - in what was the Reds' inaugural match on the continent.
Chisnall, who spent six years at Old Trafford before switching to Liverpool, played his final game under Shankly in the first-leg of the 1965/66 Cup Winners' Cup semi-final against Glasgow Celtic.
In 2007, Chisnall spoke to the ECHO about his historic switch when he moved down the East Lancs Road to join the new First Division champions for £25,000 in April 1964.
“I’ve become the answer to a quiz question in recent years,” he said. “It was unusual to go from United to Liverpool back then, but there wasn’t a big deal made of it.
“Liverpool had only been in the First Division for two years before they won the league in 1964.
“They were only just establishing themselves in the top division and the rivalry between United and Liverpool fans wasn’t as strong then as it is now. Liverpool’s real rivals were Everton, while United’s were Man City.
“I played for England Under-23s against Germany at Anfield and we won 4-2. I’m not sure whether Shankly was there but it was just before Liverpool came in for me.
“United finished second in ‘64 and I remember Matt Busby told me Liverpool had made a bid and that it was up to me whether I wanted to go or not.
“I was 21, Liverpool had won the league and were a great club. Liverpool was a vibrant place with the Beatles making it big and Shankly reviving Liverpool FC, so I decided to go for it.
“After I signed I went back and played for Liverpool against United at Old Trafford. I can’t remember getting any stick – it wasn’t like that back then.”
Chisnall, who is also the first ever player to touch the ball on Match of the Day after making his Liverpool league debut against Arsenal in the programme's inaugural match, left Anfield to join Southend in 1967 for £12,000 in 1967 but finished his career at Stockport County.
“Things didn’t really work out for me but I didn’t regret joining Liverpool,” he said back in 2012. “It was just circumstance really - I didn’t hit it off.
“It was a great side with players like Ian St John, Ian Callaghan, Peter Thompson, Roger Hunt, Willie Stevenson, Gordon Milne and Tommy Smith so it was always going to be tough to get into the side.
“In the space of a year I played under Matt Busby, Bill Shankly and Alf Ramsey, who was manager of England Under-23s at the time. The three of them were all great managers and it was a privilege to play for them.
“It’s much more difficult for players to move between rival clubs now because football is like a religion these days.
“Back when I played, you enjoyed it and if you lost to a good side you accepted defeat. The game wasn’t as intense in those days and there wasn’t that mentality of win at all costs.”
Both Liverpool and Manchester United have today paid tribute to their former player, Phil Chisnall. 1942-2021.
