The truth behind
Shankly's Wembley War Dance
One of the great mysteries of the FA Cup was solved when the family of recently deceased Cardiff Medical practitioner, Dr Wilfred Llanfair published the contents of his patient case files.
During the 1974 FA Cup Final where Liverpool drubbed Newcastle United by three goals to nil, their legendary manager Bill Shankly was observed doing what became dubbed his 'Wembley War Dance', which involved the brisk swaying of his hands from side to side. At the time it was assumed it was some form of tactical signalling to his rampant side.
But the case files of Doctor Llanfair, who practised in Cardiff for over 60 years up until his death last year at the age of 97 reveal that the 'wardance' was in fact physiotherapy for one of the most unusual footballing injuries in history!
Shankly picked up the injuries to his wrists and hands in Cardiff while negotiating the transfer of John Toshack in 1971. When Shankly tabled his offer of £100,000 for Toshack, the City board were so overcome with joy at the sight of the cheque, several of them leapt across the boardroom to shake on the deal before the Scot could change his mind. Shankly's hands were gripped so vigourously during the transaction, he suffered severe bruising and muscle strains which needed the attention of Dr Llanfair.
The Doctor recommended that after all bandages were removed that Shankly should exercise his wrists by shaking them from side to side. "It was easy to see how people thought it was some kind of semaphore" commented Wilfred's son Glyn who added, "My father was something of a specialist in treating these kinds of injuries as two of his more recent patients were Dave Bassett & John Gregory"
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