A MASSIVE boost for the small group of Glenbuck campaigners came as D-Day approaches.

Just days before the shortlist for Scottish Football’s Hall of Fame nominees is compiled, the campaign was brought to the attention of the nation.

BBC Scotland’s 6.30pm news programme interviewed three of the group on Monday.

Ben Browning said: “Bill Shankly was born here, played football in the village before taking what he had learned and took it to Liverpool.

“He made them great. If it wasn’t for him and what he brought from here, Liverpool would not have been what they are today.”

One of the group has a hugely personal reason for campaigning — Barbara Alexander, who is Bill Shankly’s niece.

Barbara, an original resident of Glenbuck who now lives in Cumnock, said: “He’ll be looking down today and saying ‘go on and get Glenbuck into the Hall of Fame.’

“I am sure he will, but not for himself, he is already in the Hall of Fame but would not have been fussed if he was in it or not. He would want his friends to get in.”

This Is Glenbuck has attracted support all over the world with a Liverpool FC fans’ group, called Spirit of Shankly, boosting it with thousands of votes.

But Glenbuck footballers played throughout the UK at the highest level.

Robert Gillan, who has written a book about the village, said: “Bill Shankly once said that the FA cup was the hardest trophy in the world to win — four players from Glenbuck have lifted it.

“Players played for teams like Sunderland and Manchester City, all big clubs.”