Oh I am a Liverpudlian
Liverpudlians
By John Christie
May 22 2007
Being born and bred in the city of Liverpool from an early age the question arises is he red nose or a bluenose? In my case I followed my father. A man of stories about Elisha Scott and Billy Liddell, greats of a bygone age . Tales of how he and his brothers would walk from the Dingle all the way to Anfield to save the penny tram fare. Of Saturdays spent in the Kop watching the Reds.
Liverpool, between the wars, was a place of great poverty and hardship for ordinary working people, but they had their football and their fighting spirit. So I became a Red, a Liverpudlian, and now as I look over my shoulder at the past forty odd years I can reflect on the incredible journey I have taken .
Football fans in these islands are the most passionate in the world, whether you follow Newcastle or Northampton that’s your team and no one can be as passionate as you for your team, its something I believe all genuine fans respect. So I am not saying that what we Liverpudlians feel for our team is greater than any other fan. I just marvel at the tapestry of events Liverpool Football Club has woven into the very heart of my life.
St Johns stooping header, Shankly quoting Chairman Mao at St Georges Hall. Toshack and Keegan, Bob Paisley in Rome, Stevie Heighway on the wing, King Kenny, title after title and all that European glory. Then of course the dark places of Heysel and Hillsborough will always be etched on our hearts. Its been a rollercoaster ride with huge highs and terrible lows. Being a Liverpudlian is a totally unique experience, no other fan has been taken so high and yet sent crashing so low.
So on this eve of my seventh European final it matters not I haven’t a ticket, I have my fathers spirit with me, a Liverbird upon my chest , and hope in my heart as I begin my long march up over the hill.
by John Christie
Billy Liddell was my fathers hero on and off the pitch, he idolised him and I was brought up on tales of the great Billy and his exploits in the red shirt. In my day I had the honour of seeing the great Cally take over the number 7 shirt from Billy and so extended a dynasty of brilliant number 7's.
Scousers is a nickname, like Cockneys, Brummies etc......
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“Liverpool Football club exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.”. Bill Shankly