Southport BID feature by Stand Up For Southport
Acclaimed football writer John Keith is unveiling his first ever novel at the Waterstones bookshop in Southport town centre this weekend – and he will be there with a very special guest.
The former Daily Express football writer, an expert in covering Liverpool FC, Everton FC and football across Merseyside for many years, will be at Waterstones on Chapel Street from 1pm this Saturday (2nd August 2025) for a signing of ‘The Shankly Conspiracy’.
John, who lives in Southport, has written 33 books during his illustrious career, but this is his first novel.
It has been inspired by legendary Reds manager Bill Shankly, someone John knew extremely well.
Alongside John will be his close friend and Liverpool FC legend Ian Callaghan MBE.
Iam Callaghan holds the record for the most ever Liverpool FC appearances, playing 857 times for the Reds between 1960 and 1978, breaking into the first team just after the appointment of Bill Shankly as manager.
During his time there he won five League titles, two European Cups, two UEFA Cups, two FA Cups, plus more besides.
Shoppers can buy copies of the brand new ‘The Shankly Conspiracy’ novel, which is published this Thursday (31st July 2025).
Waterstones in Southport will be John’s first book signing of his new work.
Waterstones Southport Manager Ed Lamb said: “We are excited to be welcoming John Keith to our bookshop on Saturday along with Ian Callaghan MBE, a real Liverpool FC legend.
“John has written many football related books over the years, so it will be interesting for football fans to be able to read his first ever novel!
“John has done book signings at the former Broadhurst’s bookshop in Southport in the past, which sadly closed last year.
“When he popped into our bookshop and asked if we could host a book signing for him, we were delighted to be able to accommodate him.
“It’s great to be able to support local authors. John is an accomplished football writer and a great authority on football in the 1960s and 1970s.
“We are really keen to expand our events programme and look forward to hosting more book signings and events throughout the rest of this year.”
‘The Shankly Conspiracy’ is an arresting blend of fact and fiction with legendary Liverpool manager, Bill Shankly, the target of a Greek group campaigning for the return of the so-called Elgin Marbles to Athens.
But Shankly has a shock for them as events in football and politics merge in a plot that takes twists and turns with the seizure of power by the Greek colonels.
The story exemplifies Shankly’s deep beliefs about life and people as he takes verbal aim at the Greek dictators and his fellow Scot, Lord Elgin, who took the Marbles from the Parthenon in Athens and sold them to the British government.
Former British Prime Minister, Sir Harold Wilson, and his interplay with Shankly also features. Shankly is a man Wilson deeply respects but also fears for the power of his oratory …..a fascinating read.
About the author
John Keith has been a journalist, broadcaster and writer for several decades and has also written, produced and presented many football-based stage shows in Britain and abroad including The Bill Shankly Story, The Bob Paisley Story, Kendall’s Kings and The Dixie Dean Story’ as well as appearing in many radio and television shows.
He was a Daily Express staff sportswriter for 30 years and has spent a similar period as the Merseyside football correspondent for Ireland’s national broadcasting service RTE, providing radio commentary and reports on Everton and Liverpool games. He has written more than 30 football books, including biographies of Billy Liddell, Kevin Sheedy as well as Shankly, Paisley and Dean.
This is his first novel. He has also written, co-produced and presented a documentary on Dixie Dean for FreeStand Films which is planned for release in 2025.
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