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Where has our 12th man gone?
By John Christie
January 8 2009
For the life of me I have never known the atmosphere at Anfield so poor. Despite the best endevours of parts of the KOP, the crowd is so quiet now. All the elements that we prided ourselves in how to support the team seem to be eroding away.
 

'Twas the Kop who first sang organised songs in tribute, en-mass, a phenomenon that was copied around the planet. We prided ourselves in our good humour and sportsmanship. Most of all was the

patience we had in the players/manager, back them to the hilt, every chance to be given.

So why now has the singing fell away? Why now do some fans boo the team off after drawing to go top of the league?


Despite not playing to our best we are top, and we are now starting to show much better form. We have coasted through our champions group. So no blame whatsoever can be placed at the feet of the players. The causes lie, I believe, with the fans. There is a tension at Anfield, we have waited so long for a genuine title winning team, we all know we have one now. Weve had not bad teams before, under Houiller and Evans, but we knew deep down they weren't good enough.


False dawns we seen too many times, so no one will stand up and shout it out, fear of another false dawn, fear of the mancs equalling our record. That fear has cost us at home too many times already. The players and Rafa are most definitely good enough .The question is now, are the fans good enough ,brave enough, loud enough? .

ITS TIME FOR 19TH TITLE ,ITS TIME FOR THE 12TH MAN.

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Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: Mighty Reds (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2009 23:17

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Re: Time for 12th man
Posted by: Waspy (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2009 22:28

Great call ta arms carra, what your saying is so true. what will it take ta get that feeling back in our ground we used ta have. There was a time when fans raised there vocals beyoned the call of duty & anfield was a scarey place in full flow which won us games even when we were losing it made a difference. a change of era a different type of fans, our unique 12th man is not being replaced by the new breed coming through. Our club needs a new marketing stratergy,
I no it's wrong our club with it's traditions shouldn't need it. But we really need the youngsters whose fathers stood on the standing Kop & educated them ta once again make the Kop
what it was, the most amazing & breathtaking terrace in the world.

It's up ta the club ta realise, & not all this gimiky merchandising shiite & give back what our club really needs.

real fans who will make a diff in us winning the League.



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

Re: Time for 12th man
Posted by: Reds (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2009 22:44

Agree totally carra.

This going on the front page.

Waspy any chance, if you get a minute or 60, you could update our pics folder from Empics. I have to do it two or three times before they show on the add story page? Need an updated one of the Kop if possible mate.



Around the Tiber strange noises were heard,
The ominous sound of the red Liver bird,
Those on the ground stood still and listened,
As under its wing 5 trophies glistened,
Said the bird, a friend of mine twice conquered Rome,
And ever since then its been my second home,
The first time he came, he arrived by tank,
Do you think i'd surrender it to some fuuuckin manc?,
Looks like the devils have been left in the lurch,
And guess what Mr Ferguson? I'm STILL on my perch!

Re: Time for 12th man
Posted by: Waspy (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2009 22:50

Ok mate, ok ta do it w/end if possible.



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

Re: Time for 12th man
Posted by: Reds (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2009 22:52

Nice one mate.....



Around the Tiber strange noises were heard,
The ominous sound of the red Liver bird,
Those on the ground stood still and listened,
As under its wing 5 trophies glistened,
Said the bird, a friend of mine twice conquered Rome,
And ever since then its been my second home,
The first time he came, he arrived by tank,
Do you think i'd surrender it to some fuuuckin manc?,
Looks like the devils have been left in the lurch,
And guess what Mr Ferguson? I'm STILL on my perch!

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: Captain Scarlet (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2009 23:27

Back to the subject and agree carra. I reckon stewards should eject anyone not singing and backing the team.

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: carra (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2009 23:42

Ay capt how about Rafa organising crowd rotation

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: ozzie red (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2009 23:58

could not agree more fellas, i'm only 23 and i live in australia - my uncle has been supporting the reds since the 50's. when i started to show an interest in football (liverpool) in the early 90's, he sat me down and explained everything from us gaining promotion to dominating european football. i've noticed more and more over the last few seasons that all of the magic he told me of about the kop only really exists on european nights - or when certain games are going well. Even tho i may be a 'new age' fan, i still think the team should be backed as LOUDLY and unconditionally, as humanly possible - nearly vomited when we went top of the league and were booed off the pitch. i think more new age supporters like my self definately need to be taught what it means to support LFC by some of the older fellas - you were spot on.

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: Far east liverbird (IP Logged)
Date: 09/01/2009 00:15

The Mancs are right behind us. Ronaldo just crashed his Ferrari but still survived without a scratch!! Obviously even the REAL DEVILS are right behind and protecting him as he epitomises the symbol they arrogantly carry!! Come on the 12th man lets support our men unconditionally and let our phoenix (liverbird) come out to kill the serpent for ever.Don't let Fergie Rest (retire) In Peace.

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: Markieb (IP Logged)
Date: 09/01/2009 00:23

Hi,

Out of townies are the main problem!! I work at the club and I've actually even seen them reading the @#$%& paper on the Kop-they haven't got a jar 'o' glue!!

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: carra (IP Logged)
Date: 09/01/2009 00:42

Capitalism imo has to carry most of the blame in the changing makeup of football crowds . No longer is it the domain of working class local people. The advent of sky has made footy very fashionable and very expensive. To say oot s are the reason for the atmosphere so poor now is to easy a target. Iknow lads on this board who travel 100s of miles when ever they can afford to go. You cant tell me they love /understand my club any less than me who was born n bred in the city. We are a world club and should be proud of the fact.You cant have it both ways. We would never fill a 70 000 stadium with local people .Its the quality of the fans that count not were their from.

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: stevei c (IP Logged)
Date: 09/01/2009 02:19

I was just about to make that point myself carra, it's partly financial, with a lot of the old crew struggling to afford the regular layout of so much cash, what with the high cost of breathing these days, -- so much for getting rid of the tories, things aint improved much, have they ? There's also the very high demand for tickets, what with different people coming from all over, the mix of the crowd must change dramatically for each and every game. Walk on !

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: Waspy (IP Logged)
Date: 09/01/2009 18:14

Alright lads,

Hi Markieb,

Im an OOT, talk to me I can totally understand how you feel
as a local. Iv'e even seen a lot of change meself sometimes for the worse.

I don't like it as much as you do, but I won't sit back & be called or judged because of one or two fans give a majority a bad name.

So next time you notice this, say something & make difference
for the luv of your club & mine.

But thank you's carra, we know on here that the older generation of fans local being made this club what it is.

And I really hope that this new ground once built will accomadate the young local generation who have been educated
by there parents. It's up to the club ta do this.

But then it's upto the fans whereever from to educate themselves too & keep traditions.



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

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: Waspy (IP Logged)
Date: 11/01/2009 19:40

Ok Kate, have updated a few of Kop from Empics is there anything else more specific needs updating...?


Still waitng for Markieb ta get back & be more elabarate on his views. Carra & Stevie C were spot on & backedup there views good reasonable discussion.



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

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: Captain Scarlet (IP Logged)
Date: 12/01/2009 20:59

Quote:
carra
Ay capt how about Rafa organising crowd rotation

I'm telling ya carra, its the way forward. Of course, anyone not supporting the team in the old traditions won't be allowed in next time their turn comes round.

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: carra (IP Logged)
Date: 15/01/2009 19:23

Sounds good to me mate. Football fascism ,we have ways of making you rotate(Sm138)

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: Red Daniel (IP Logged)
Date: 17/01/2009 12:42

Anfield needs to get a buzz going, a buzz that will define the season, a buzz that will get us riled up. The same sort of excitement we all felt leading to Istanbul and even Athens. At the moment we're all too flat, too jittery and too worried. We're not enjoying ourselves enough and biting our fingernails to the bone, and the song police don't help. Hopefully with two derbys within a week we can get pumping again.

I suggest a new song or chant highlighting the great position we're in. We're in a title race for god's sake!!

Me and me mate had a little too much to drink the other night at the pub. This irish band we're playing The Leaving of Liverpool and we joined in then started to make up our own chorus half way through about LFC. It fitted the excitement we both felt about our position and our boys

I'll share it with you (the verses need work, but hell we were drunk!!)

Farewell to you, my own true love, I am going down the way
I am bound for Anfield Road, Like every other Saturday

So fare the well, my own true love
On the Spion Kop, united we will be
We値l be singing and shouting for LIV-ER-POOL
When they bring home no 19

Oh the streets will coloured all in Red, as the title will come back home
For we know that it痴 been a long, long time, but the day has finally come

So fare the well, my own true love
On the Spion Kop, united we will be
We値l be singing and shouting for LIV-ER-POOL
When they bring home no 19

We are bound for another championship like our fathers had been before
We値l be dancing and drinking round the Shankly gates when we池e crowned champions once more

So fare the well, my own true love
On the Spion Kop, united we will be
We値l be singing and shouting for LIV-ER-POOL
When they bring home no 19

Farewell to you, my own true love, I知 off to support my team
舛ase God my dear they need me now, if we池e ever to live the dream

So fare the well, my own true love
On the Spion Kop, united we will be (WE WILL BE)
We値l be singing and shouting for LIV-ER-POOL
When they bring home no 19

Get yer scarves out. We're Liverpool Football Club!!!!

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: Reds (IP Logged)
Date: 18/01/2009 10:06

Needs some work but not bad.......



Around the Tiber strange noises were heard,
The ominous sound of the red Liver bird,
Those on the ground stood still and listened,
As under its wing 5 trophies glistened,
Said the bird, a friend of mine twice conquered Rome,
And ever since then its been my second home,
The first time he came, he arrived by tank,
Do you think i'd surrender it to some fuuuckin manc?,
Looks like the devils have been left in the lurch,
And guess what Mr Ferguson? I'm STILL on my perch!

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: carra (IP Logged)
Date: 18/01/2009 11:13

Has all the right ingredients , tis a well known/loved local sea shanty.Those of us of a certain vintage will have sang it at many a party. Twas the Seakers who had a big hit with it late 60s? The Spinners i recall would also used it alot. One line Daniel has to be dropped like a hot snot. "on the Spion Kop united we will be" Its a no no mate

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: Red Daniel (IP Logged)
Date: 18/01/2009 12:33

hahaha! Yes, yes it does

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: Waspy (IP Logged)
Date: 18/01/2009 20:21

It's not bad, I like it. Have that on CD it's a little gem of a song when playing in the car on way ta game.

I doubt you will ever hear "We will be", after United in any song at Anfield...(Sm6)



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

Re: Where has our 12th man gone?
Posted by: Red Daniel (IP Logged)
Date: 19/01/2009 15:54

it's a shame a whole word to show unity has been tarnished because of them to the east

'forever we will be' could work

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