Liverpool’s former player, manager and club legend Kenny Dalglish has been knighted by Prince Charles during a Buckingham Palace ceremony, the BBC have confirmed.
The ex-Scotland international made over 500 appearances for the Reds, scoring 172 goals. His honour was given to commemorate his “services to football, charity, and the city of Liverpool”.
Rising through the Celtic youth ranks and joining the senior side in the early 70s, Dalglish won nine domestic trophies with the Bhoys, before joining Liverpool in 1977. The price was a then-British record of £440,000, which equates to around £2.5m in today’s money.
His time at Anfield was Liverpool’s most successful in their entire history. The forward was part of the team that dominated the continent throughout the late 70s and early 80s, winning three European Cups and a UEFA Super Cup either side of Nottingham Forest’s triumphs.
Six First Division titles and 10 domestic cup trophies cemented him as one of the very best and warranted a nomination for the 1983 Ballon d’Or, of which he only lost out to Michel Platini.
In 1985, the now-67-year-old swapped his boots for the suits and became Liverpool’s manager. The accolades did not finish upon his retirement as a player, with his side winning 10 competitions in his six years. He would return to the managerial position twenty years later to become League Cup champions.
One of his most renowned feats as a coach came with Blackburn Rovers, as he took them from the second tier to Premier League champions by the 1994-95 season. Other managerial spells at Newcastle United and Celtic followed.
The charitable contributions that Dalglish has made, along with his family and the city of Liverpool, have been nothing short of spectacular. The horrific Hillsborough disaster took place during his time as Reds manager, and he continues to support the families connected and affected 29 years later.
As 96 fans tragically lost their lives, the boss ensured that all funerals were attended by club representatives, be it players, staff or himself. He once appeared at four in a single day.
The Anfield icon has contributed vastly to the world of football, and to events much greater than his positions demanded. He has touched the hearts of a city, the sport, and the nation.
Now King Kenny becomes Sir Kenny.
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