Les Shannon

Who was Les Shannon?

Leslie "Les" Shannon was an English football player and manager.

As a forward, he scored 40 goals in 274 league games in the Football League, playing for Liverpool between November 1944 and November 1949 and then for Burnley from November 1949 to August 1958 following a £6,000 transfer. He also won three caps for the England B team. He coached at Everton and Arsenal, before he embarked on an 18-year career in management in England, Greece, and Norway. He is considered by Greek fans and media to have been one of the most successful foreign managers to ever work in Greek football. His first management role was at Bury from 1966 to 1969; he took the "Shakers" to promotion out of the Third Division in 1967–68, though they were twice relegated. He took charge at Blackpool, leading the "Tangerines" to promotion out of the Second Division in 1969–70. He spent the 1970s in Greece, and found most of his success with PAOK, taking the club to two Greek Cup titles. He also won the Greek Cup with Iraklis Thessaloniki. He also took charge at Olympiacos, Panachaiki, and OFI. He also led Norwegian side Brann to promotion into the top-flight in 1980.