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What Anfield Means To Me
By John Christie September 4 2008
At an early age Scousers feel an overwhelming desire, a yearning, nothing to do with the opposite sex, that comes later, and is not as important. You want nothing more than to go the match. Before you can walk you are quizzed by your elders "Is he red or blue? What foot does he kick with?"

You are told, by your Dad, of Elisha Scott and Billy Liddell, his heroes of the 30/40s.  Of Hunt and St John, my uncles heroes of the 60s. You sit with the men at family parties, in the back kitchen, listening to their great footy debates, the tactics, memories, stories, laughter.  The banter with Uncle Tommy, the mad Evertonian.  You, without knowing it, are being groomed for the great day, your first match. 

Nottingham Forrest at home, the colour green of the pitch, don’t forget this was the late 60s and black ‘n’ white teles. The pungent smell of tobacco and ale hanging thick in the air, the crimson red kits, the noise, the colour, the ebb n flow of the huge, huge kop.We won 6--0, "you can come again lad" I was told by one and all, and I did.  The seasons rolled by, great seasons, great players, great managers. Bill Shankly was God like, he held us all in his hands, the club we know now was built on his inspiration.  So what does Anfield mean to me?  

When I stand there now and look around the old ground when its empty, every empty seat, blade of grass, girder, stairway, groans and aches with the weight of memories. The place is full of ghosts of the past on and off the pitch. On the great European nights we know how to tap into our past, I stand with me Dad, me uncles, I know Shanks and Paisley are there, willing the Redmen on to victory.  These nights feel spiritual, religious, a high mass, a holy communion of us all past and present. That’s what I feel of Anfield and what Anfield means to me.

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Re: What Anfield Means To Me
Posted by: Reds (IP Logged)
Date: 04/09/2008 12:22

Great entry carra, loved it.

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Quote by Armin
There's no way back Tom. No press release, no statement, no transfer coup, you could provide a birth certificate proving you're the illegitimate son of Bill Shankly and Billy Liddell's daughter and all it would do in Liverpool is confirm you're a ba*stard.

Re: What Anfield Means To Me
Posted by: Redmist (IP Logged)
Date: 04/09/2008 23:49

That reminds me very much of my own experiences. I can't remember a time when footy and the reds weren't the most important thing in my life growing up. Family doos were spent getting me Dad and uncles teaching me the songs, even a couple of blue ones from me blue uncles. I remember me Dad going mad at me uncle Tommy for teaching me that hang the kopites one by one but in place of kopites he'd used *bast*ads*. It was the only time I knew of an argument breaking out over football in our house. Soon mended though.

Me dad had a big picture of the 1965 cup winning team on the wall and I knew every one of them. Lawrence, Lawler, Byrne, etc..

Imagine my shock when I was finally taken to Anfield age 6 only to find there was no Sir Roger, no Pedro, no St John to move to the right wing in the event of Jesus coming back to earth. I had to get used to Keegan, Toshack, Heighway and co. A very disappointed 6 year old at the beginning of the match went home mesmerised by the red, singing, swaying mass that was the kop and a team on the verge of even greater exploits.

Re: What Anfield Means To Me
Posted by: carra (IP Logged)
Date: 05/09/2008 19:55

We be blessed my friend

Re: What Anfield Means To Me
Posted by: Waspy (IP Logged)
Date: 05/09/2008 21:20

Really, really good that carra. Anfield holds many great memories for all of us in different ways.

But spot on, it's our holy comunion were all one on match day
which gives out a great energy as we prey for the same thing.

Our holy quest.

http://pic13.picturetrail.com/VOL474/2295398/4499675/66729046.jpghttp://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL474/2295398/16404575/275162403.jpg

Re: What Anfield Means To Me
Posted by: carefree2008 (IP Logged)
Date: 07/09/2008 09:35

Nice one carra,thats why it is a shame when clubs have to move to new stadiums,to increase attendances,to finance bigger wage demands,and the increase ticket demands etc,but like you said you remember the early days at Anfield the atmosphere back then that is all part of the history and it is a shame that football has to change in this way.The Emirates is an example,60 thousand fans every week and the atmosphere not the same.its great and exciting to know that you are gonna have this fantastic state of art 60 thousand all seater stadium but beleave me it wont be the same and yes you will fill it every home game but at a price and that price is giving up your home that you love for a new home for the new generation of supporters.Like i said it is a shame but we have to deal with it.

Re: What Anfield Means To Me
Posted by: carra (IP Logged)
Date: 07/09/2008 10:33

Thanks carefree ,what your saying is totally right and is a subject that will loom even larger for all of us when or "if" the building work starts. There is still an historical link as the site of the new stadium is only the opposite side of Anfield Road were we are now.Its also the orginal site were Everton played who bu*gerd off to Goodison after a dispute with the owner hense the forming of LFC.If enough of genuine fans can afford the new seats we will uphold our way of supporting our team , we owe it to our fathers and to our sons, good luck for the rest of the season .

Re: What Anfield Means To Me
Posted by: carefree2008 (IP Logged)
Date: 07/09/2008 13:48

Good luck for the season also,i think it will be a very interesting season now there is another kid on the block.

Re: What Anfield Means To Me
Posted by: carra (IP Logged)
Date: 07/09/2008 14:33

If citeh are the new chelsea ,what does that make LFC when DIC takeover?

Re: What Anfield Means To Me
Posted by: carefree2008 (IP Logged)
Date: 07/09/2008 16:23

Quote:
carra
If citeh are the new chelsea ,what does that make LFC when DIC takeover?
Yes again very interesting times ahead.I read somewhere that the people at citeh want another 18,yes 18 more 30 million plus players.now that is obscene.Apparently when citeh bought robinho,Hughes that day was playing golf and didn't have a clue that citeh were even in the race for the player.I don't think Hughes will be there for long because i think the team that inevitably arrives wont be his team,it will be the owners and he will get peed off and go.

Re: What Anfield Means To Me
Posted by: carra (IP Logged)
Date: 07/09/2008 17:25

I dont begrudge the city fans a place in the sun,its the glory hunters i hate,we all have them i dare say theres plonkers now waiting to buy a sky blue shirt.Good riddance to the lot of them.Watching soccer am and wearing a jester hat does not make you a fan it makes you a tw&t

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