The Boot Room has been a weekly column on the World of Soccer website (www.worldofsoccer.com) for the past four years. Tony Waiters had the privilege of being a bona fide member of the Boot Room in the 70’s when he was a coach at Liverpool Football Club.

The title of this column -- The Boot Room -- is inspired by the Boot Room at Anfield, home of Liverpool Football Club. As the name suggests, this was the place that the players' soccer shoes were kept. But it was much, much more than that. It was where the stuff of soccer and the world in general were discussed. The conversation could move from George Best to Pele, from Bobby Charlton to Babe Ruth, from Brazil to Bournemouth, from Muhammad Ali to Manchester City. It was mostly about soccer -- "greatness," and how to get there.

The Down-the-Line! "Inside the Boot Room" column, is a place where such informal but nonetheless ardent thoughts and opinions are discussed.

In the 70’s the legendary, Bill Shankly, was the Liverpool manager/coach. He was so much sought after by the media, front office staff, players, directors and every Tom, Dick and Harry, that Shanks did not make it too often to the Boot Room.

Bob Paisley, the club trainer, later to become the most successful manager/coach in the history of English soccer when he succeeded Shanks, was "Mine Host." Bob organized the Barley Nips and other strange brews for the post-game discussions, the debates and the incredible insights. At today’s prices, you could have sold a seat in the Boot Room for $2,000. But then, none were for sale! You only gained entry by invitation.

Joe Fagan, who was the reserve team coach at the time, was Bob’s co-host in the Boot Room. Later, Joe succeeded Bob Paisley and in his two year tenure became the first manager in England to do the "Treble" – The European Cup, the League Championship and the League Cup. He resigned broken-hearted after the Heysel disaster involving Liverpool and Juventus, where many fans died. He has kept a low profile ever since.

Occasionally, invited guests would join Bob and Joe and youth coach Ron Moran, later to be the first team coach; Ruben Bennett, then first team coach; and occasionally Geoff Twentyman, the club chief scout, if he wasn’t away scouting. I was there whenever I could, taking in every word, but as a 32-year old rookie coach, not saying too much.

So this will be the stuff of Inside the Boot Room. A look at the game-behind-the-game; anecdotes and insights. We cannot provide the Barley Nips, but we can guarantee it will be a stimulating concoction.