Reflections of a foreign Red:Pride and Melancholy

[pete752]

As the title suggests, I’m not a native Red. I started following football and LFC only in this decade. What a decade it has been to be a fan of this great club. I have lived through those magical nights in 2001 and 2005. Great memories from what it seems like eons now. The nights when the true spirit of this club shone through the players who pulled on the red shirt and went to battle for the cause, to bring the pride back to our club after the painful 90’s.

As I sat through another painful loss to Blackpool yesterday evening, I’m reduced to tears, not because we are sat in relegation zone, not even because there is not much light at the end of the tunnel, but because all the things that drew me to this great club seem to be slipping away slowly but surely over time. I see my beloved team go out every week but I don’t see the passion, the pride and the spirit that came to define our club through our glorious days.

One thing that I have come to realize through these past few months is that I have become inextricably attached to LFC emotionally. I was disappointed with our performances in Rafa’s last year but I never felt that the team went out with slumped shoulders. It was the same case toward the end of Houllier’s tenure here. There was a need for a change but there was no despair. Something seems to be fundamentally wrong these days. The soul seems to have gone from the club as a whole and it is reflected in the way the players seem to go out on to the pitch and in the way that Anfield seems like a silent morgue these days. What happened to the great fans of our great club? We are supposed to stand together through thick and thin. There seems to be bitterness and staleness in everything associated with the club and it feels so wrong.

I have great respect for both Houllier and Rafa, managers that I have seen lead this club during my time as a supporter, managers who led this club honorably and set us back on the right path. No one is ever perfect, but I have fond memories for all the great nights they gave us. Roy is in the early days of his tenure here, and I truly hope that he goes on to join the pantheon of the great managers that managed our club. Whatever he does, I hope that he instills into the players that pull on the red shirt that those representing LFC never give less than 100 percent to the cause, because, this is something that I feel is missing in our team based on these past few months. It is easy to lay into the manager, but, after all it is the players who go out onto the pitch.

As we go through these dark days in the history of our club, I feel blessed, because, I have had the good fortune to experience the highs that we experienced, albeit briefly though, during this decade of being a supporter of this great institution. I have read the posts of several older Reds on the forum and I have lived the glory days vicariously through those posts. Our club is steeped in history and while it is true that we should not cling on to past achievements, all that I can cling on to at the moment is that glorious history. The days of Shankly and Paisley, the great players who pulled on that red shirt and gave us the rich history and our very identity so to speak. Maybe someday I will live through those days in reality, but no matter what happens, I will always be a true Red. I am proud of my LFC no matter what, whether we ever win trophies again, or the division we play in. But I do hope that my beloved club gets back the soul that it has lost somewhere along the way and only then everything will be alright once again in my world.

YNWA

[TorontoSteve]

Have we the fans lost the plot? Living in Toronto now I am a bit out of touch with sentiment on Merseyside but I was home for 10 days and got to the WBA game with my 10 year old son. His second visit to Anfield were I wanted to show him the atmosphere I enjoyed from the Kop when I was there in the 70’s. I was hugely disappointed. The few thousand WBA supporters easily out did the Kop in their support for their team. Then listening to games on .TV I hear about protests to get the owners out, WHY? They want to go and are trying to leave! I don’t know about most supporters but I love LFC and do not want my team to be valued at $1 and given away for free! The board, not the owners, are running the sale and looking for the best deal for the club and when that is done the owners are gone. In the mean time the better the team is on the pitch the easier it will be to get rid of the Yanks. So instead of standing by our team when they are at their lowest low we boo them off the pitch! Talk about being alone, to be in a crowd of 50 plus thousand and know that no one wants you, and walking off to boo’s. In Istanbul they walked off at half time to chants and came back to our anthem, and they new we meant it, and they rewarded us with a trophy. The behavior I have witnessed this year is like the Newcastle fans 2 years ago and they were rewarded with relegation. When will the fans forget the owners who are leaving anyway and focus on the team and show them we mean it when we sing You’ll NEVER Walk Alone.

[robinredshanks]

Great post vis. As a matter of interest where do you hail from? I presently live in Brazil, but spent some years in Portugal and lived for a short time in Russia, Spain and France. Amongst other countries.

I have met many non English fans in my travels, some more Ardent than I meet on my visits to Anfield. As you say, you get an emotional attachment to the club.

Again, Great post Y.N.W.A. greetings from Rio:scarf

[TorontoSteve]

I used to marvel at the fans who led the kop. It was 1975 to 80 when I used to go to the Kop on a regular basis but would not consider my self a true fan. I never went to away games and would miss about half the home games but I have been there for games that will stay in my memory forever. The Grimsby game when each player was given a fishy name, Ray Kennedy became Stingray Kennedy, and Kenny became Kenny Dogfish, Playing Leeds or the Swansea game right after Shankly died when they had the 1 min silence, from in the Kop you could hear the fans passing the turnstiles bellow but not a word spoken. The chants were often conversations responding to the other supporters and they were always humorous and always supportive. Now it seems the focus is all about the business, who owns what? Who can we blame for our life? Who can we boo or put down?
Players on our team are all good enough to make as much or more playing for someone else they have a choice and they chose to play for us. Is it not time we showed them why?

[robinredshanks]

Have we the fans lost the plot? Living in Toronto now I am a bit out of touch with sentiment on Merseyside but I was home for 10 days and got to the WBA game with my 10 year old son. His second visit to Anfield were I wanted to show him the atmosphere I enjoyed from the Kop when I was there in the 70’s. I was hugely disappointed. The few thousand WBA supporters easily out did the Kop in their support for their team. Then listening to games on .TV I hear about protests to get the owners out, WHY? They want to go and are trying to leave! I don’t know about most supporters but I love LFC and do not want my team to be valued at $1 and given away for free! The board, not the owners, are running the sale and looking for the best deal for the club and when that is done the owners are gone. In the mean time the better the team is on the pitch the easier it will be to get rid of the Yanks. So instead of standing by our team when they are at their lowest low we boo them off the pitch! Talk about being alone, to be in a crowd of 50 plus thousand and know that no one wants you, and walking off to boo’s. In Istanbul they walked off at half time to chants and came back to our anthem, and they new we meant it, and they rewarded us with a trophy. The behavior I have witnessed this year is like the Newcastle fans 2 years ago and they were rewarded with relegation. When will the fans forget the owners who are leaving anyway and focus on the team and show them we mean it when we sing You’ll NEVER Walk Alone.

Hi Steve, very good points you make there. My first game was the 65 Cup Final, and my first visit to Anfield and the Kop was March 16th 1974 v Leeds, top of the table clash, still have the programme. (described more fully in other posts).

But you are right about the protests and the WBA fans. The Kop seems to have lost it's voice. It has been mentioned here on Brazilian tv.

As you state, the club is up for sale, so what is the point of those protests? other than to show our disdain, perhaps get them (h/g); to lower their excessive valuation of the club. Which; if I thought for one moment it would work, I would join them. But look at who we are dealing with, take a look at their history. They have less emotion for LFC than a slug has for the slime it leaves in it's trail. Their only love in life is money.

And the problems off the field do now appear to be affecting matters in the ground and on the field of play.

I'm not certain if the protests re h and g do more damage than good? Of course we want rid, and hope new owners treat the club with respect, provide the required funds for stadia and transfers etc.

But whilst I don't doubt the motives and sincerity of S.O.S. I do sometimes question if these actions, have a positive or negative effect on things in general.

It's at times like these that the true fans will show themselves. As the saying goes, when the going gets tough........... So we should all now get behind the manager and the players, give them that extra boost they need. They will do it for the fans, (aka Istanbul Jerzy Dudek), or they do not deserve to wear a Red shirt. And they will do it every game.

[TorontoSteve]

Thanks for your comments.

I am not sure of the feelings or motives of H&G, even though I have spoken to one of them personally. but what I am sure of is the team needs the fans support more than ever. So I hope the fans at the games can focus and support the way any LFC team deserves.

Trouble is I do not think they read posts like these. If we are not living in L4 then we do not count.

[SayNOtoNANDO]

Great points mate am from northern ireland and go to anfield once a month i was at the sunderland game and stayed in for the protest to see what was happening the problem is though i can,t remember a game that we,ve won when we,ve protested either before during or after the game it seems to take away from the match we need to get behind the team i remember those nights of standing on the kop against chelsea in 2007 and we sang them to death lets get behind them 100% eveyone says we are the twelve man so lets prove it and stop beleiving we are and show it am over again for the blackburn game and i will certainly be getting behind the team come on lads we are liverpool lets show these people who we really are and why we are the best fans in the world!!!!!! ynwa:scarf

[robinredshanks]

Thanks for your comments.

I am not sure of the feelings or motives of H&G, even though I have spoken to one of them personally. but what I am sure of is the team needs the fans support more than ever. So I hope the fans at the games can focus and support the way any LFC team deserves.

Trouble is I do not think they read posts like these. If we are not living in L4 then we do not count.

So sad to say that is true of some people. I've been negged by people because I mentioned I live in Brazil at the present?.

Sad to say many Liverpool fans (probably true of many English people) are xenophobic. Members of my extended family lived two streets away from the stadium. All Liverpool supporters.

But on my visits, I sometimes (rarely, but it did happen) experienced a hostile reaction from people who seemed to take my London accent as an affront to my being a Liverpool supporter.

Thankfully these number a small, small minded group. I am ceryain the majority are more welcoming. This can be seen by the banter on some of the threads. Hopefully if we ignore the small minded few, they will go away. :)

[robinredshanks]

Great points mate am from northern ireland and go to anfield once a month i was at the sunderland game and stayed in for the protest to see what was happening the problem is though i can,t remember a game that we,ve won when we,ve protested either before during or after the game it seems to take away from the match we need to get behind the team i remember those nights of standing on the kop against chelsea in 2007 and we sang them to death lets get behind them 100% eveyone says we are the twelve man so lets prove it and stop beleiving we are and show it am over again for the blackburn game and i will certainly be getting behind the team come on lads we are liverpool lets show these people who we really are and why we are the best fans in the world!!!!!! ynwa:scarf

Welcome to the boards :scarf

My Fathers family was from Belfast, My Ladys' Road, I remember it well from my childhood.:) I still have relatives living in Bangor, and Antrim, a few still go over for the matches when they can.

Is the boat service still operating? or do you fly over? It's over ten years since I last visited. Si I am well overdue a visit. Should be early next spring.

Back to your post, was that the 2005 or 2007 semi? And yes the fans should get behind the team.

If you read my "Letter from Brazil" thread you will see all the problems that are affecting Flamengo here in Brazil. But they still play to a packed stadium. Their fans are likened here to Liverpools' for their loyalty and passion, not to mention the banners. They do hold their protests, but not at the game. The game is more important on the day.

Whilst at seven other serie A teams play to crowds of less than ten thousand every week. I watched the Santos/Palmeiras game on Saturday, the stands were almost empty. That's the equivelnt of say Fulham v Everton not getting a decent show of support.

We should all back the manager and team at every game. Regardless of what our fickle owners do. There is a time and a place for everything, as my Father would always say.

[geralion]

A small comment from South Africa - I'm an ex pat in Cape Town - rgds the singing.

I had lots of Scouse friends over the years and what marked them was their great humour - and inventiveness when it came to singing about LFC!

There is a fantastic clip on youtube of the whole of Anfield virtually, singing She Loves You back in the 60s. This was a legendary time to be in Liverpool of course and no, I wasn't old enough). WOuld I be right in thinking that the spirit which made people sing in the firs place has gone?

[SayNOtoNANDO]

you have family from antrim am about 30miles from there just outside coleraine its a expensive business coming over for games so respect to your family for getting over when they can. yeah it was the 2007 semi-i was at the 2005 olympiacos match when gerrard scorerd that goal u beauty great nights and unbeleivable atmospheres we sang the team to victory!! as for now the fans seem to be exspectin us to get beat i listened to the match on lfc.tv and the commentator even said thers never a roar from the kop anymore at start of match and at start of 2nd half i really hope are fans are turning into the prawn sandwich brigade at sshh trafford. please lets get behind the team and restore our great atmosphere and keep the protests 4 non match days as its taking away from the match which at the end of the day is the main priority on that day. ynwa:scarf ps yeah boat still runs to liverpool but we fly with easyjet cheap and cheerful lol

[SayNOtoNANDO]

sorry meant to say hope are fans are NOT turning into the prawn sandwich brigade at sshh trafford. and to gerlion i don,t think its that spirit has gone there is just no confidence with the team threw the years if we went 1 or 2 down i still thought we could win but now i automatically think we,ve no chance i think we just need to get behind the team and show confidence in them WE HAVE TO REGAIN THAT PASSION FROM THE STANDS!:scarf YNWA

[robinredshanks]

sorry meant to say hope are fans are NOT turning into the prawn sandwich brigade at sshh trafford. and to gerlion i don,t think its that spirit has gone there is just no confidence with the team threw the years if we went 1 or 2 down i still thought we could win but now i automatically think we,ve no chance i think we just need to get behind the team and show confidence in them WE HAVE TO REGAIN THAT PASSION FROM THE STANDS!:scarf YNWA

As you are new to the boards, a word of advice if I may, (no insult meant, I really messed up/made mistakes, when I first started posting, thankfully a few of the other posters gave me advice):)

If once you have submitted your post, and on reading it, realise you got something wrong. Go to the "edit" box at the bottom of the screen, this allows you to go back in and edit your post. That saves you from re-submitting the same post and getting accused of spamming

And you are right about the lack of confidence in the fans. Everything seems so flat. Far from the days when I first started attending games. Even when I went to all the games in London, the fans were always louder than the away teams. I guess it's all a bit of head in hands at the moment. With the ownership issue and lack of CL games etc.

But there is no God given right for LFC to be there, you cannot "expect" to be there, the team has to qualify. Simple fact of life.

Keep in touch, we'll maybe meet for a beer next spring, either in Liverpool or N.Ireland.:)

And hello to Gerlion from SA.:):)

[pete752]

Great post vis. As a matter of interest where do you hail from? I presently live in Brazil, but spent some years in Portugal and lived for a short time in Russia, Spain and France. Amongst other countries.

I have met many non English fans in my travels, some more Ardent than I meet on my visits to Anfield. As you say, you get an emotional attachment to the club.

Again, Great post Y.N.W.A. greetings from Rio:scarf

Thanks for the kind words Robin :) I always enjoy reading your letters from Brazil :scarf

I am of Indian origin and lived in the country for quite a long while..but I am French through my mother's side and I moved to France a couple of years ago and been living in Paris ever since.

I was planning to visit Rio this year, but the plan fell through at the last moment unfortunately. Have heard nothing but praise for Brazil from all those who I have known to have visited the country. The World Cup in Brazil should hopefully be a great spectacle, but we Indians have not covered ourselves with glory with our shambolic preparations for the Commonwealth games unfortunately :(

Yesterday's loss was very hard to digest and I just felt awful..I had never written such a long post before but I just let off some of the walled up frustration through writing that!

[robinredshanks]

Thanks for the kind words Robin :) I always enjoy reading your letters from Brazil :scarf

I am of Indian origin and lived in the country for quite a long while..but I am French through my mother's side and I moved to France a couple of years ago and been living in Paris ever since.

I was planning to visit Rio this year, but the plan fell through at the last moment unfortunately. Have heard nothing but praise for Brazil from all those who I have known to have visited the country. The World Cup in Brazil should hopefully be a great spectacle, but we Indians have not covered ourselves with glory with our shambolic preparations for the Commonwealth games unfortunately :(

Yesterday's loss was very hard to digest and I just felt awful..I had never written such a long post before but I just let off some of the walled up frustration through writing that!

That gives you a great mix of cultures. I spent a number of years working with some Indian and other Asian people. In fact, out of a group of twenty three, I was the only white Englishman. It was pointed out to me one Friday eve after work in the pub, I hadn't noticed. they told me I was colour blind :) Good people. And as for a Hindu wedding celebration, an experience to remember. Plus I love the food.:) And they introduced me to "proper" Indian and Asian food. Not the rubbish you get in many UK restaurants.

Also the films. Lagan is one of my all time favourite films, do you know it? and Kuchi, Kuchi. at least I think that's what it's called.

Back to your post; Yes, the loss yesterday was a great disappointment, the Brazil sports paper carried a picture of Gerrard, looking very dejected, as he might. That said it all.

Keep watching my posts, re your visit to Rio. in my "Letter from Brazil" thread. I am in contact with the CBF. (Confederacao Brasil Futebol). No promises, I only make promises I know I can keep; but my friend Sabino has just been elected as the Prefect here, (that's like a Mayor) so I am hopeful that my plans will come to fruition. Which will benefit Liverpool supporters.

Worst case scenario, I have a house with an annex, swimingpool and suchlike. Nothing grand, but I would be happy to welcome any LFC Fans here.(at a nominal cost):D Advise you of all the pitfalls etc. Great country as it is, they will try to "rip off" a tourist. Same the World over, sad to say.

[pete752]

That gives you a great mix of cultures. I spent a number of years working with some Indian and other Asian people. In fact, out of a group of twenty three, I was the only white Englishman. It was pointed out to me one Friday eve after work in the pub, I hadn't noticed. they told me I was colour blind :) Good people. And as for a Hindu wedding celebration, an experience to remember. Plus I love the food.:) And they introduced me to "proper" Indian and Asian food. Not the rubbish you get in many UK restaurants.

Also the films. Lagan is one of my all time favourite films, do you know it? and Kuchi, Kuchi. at least I think that's what it's called.

Back to your post; Yes, the loss yesterday was a great disappointment, the Brazil sports paper carried a picture of Gerrard, looking very dejected, as he might. That said it all.

Keep watching my posts, re your visit to Rio. in my "Letter from Brazil" thread. I am in contact with the CBF. (Confederacao Brasil Futebol). No promises, I only make promises I know I can keep; but my friend Sabino has just been elected as the Prefect here, (that's like a Mayor) so I am hopeful that my plans will come to fruition. Which will benefit Liverpool supporters.

Worst case scenario, I have a house with an annex, swimingpool and suchlike. Nothing grand, but I would be happy to welcome any LFC Fans here.(at a nominal cost):D Advise you of all the pitfalls etc. Great country as it is, they will try to "rip off" a tourist. Same the World over, sad to say.

Thank you for that great offer Robin. I was planning to visit a friend from school who lives there currently,but things did not fall into place this year. We should definitely go get a couple of drinks when I'm (hopefully) coming down to Rio next year.

Coming back to India, everything you said was spot on. Though, I kind of tend to disagree with you about Indian food in UK. At least in London, there are a few places as good as anything you will find in India; I was in London a few months back and I was astonished too to find places like that :eek:

Hindu weddings are something that would fascinate people from the west. I don't get half of what happens in those :D

[robinredshanks]

Thank you for that great offer Robin. I was planning to visit a friend from school who lives there currently,but things did not fall into place this year. We should definitely go get a couple of drinks when I'm (hopefully) coming down to Rio next year.

Coming back to India, everything you said was spot on. Though, I kind of tend to disagree with you about Indian food in UK. At least in London, there are a few places as good as anything you will find in India; I was in London a few months back and I was astonished too to find places like that :eek:

Hindu weddings are something that would fascinate people from the west. I don't get half of what happens in those :D

Sorry if I made it sound as if all food was bad, It is not all bad. I was introduced to the "GOOD" places, by my Asian friends. There is one in particular which I discovered by accident, near Wembely; where the food is "true" Indian style. Some years back I was there for a special event, a fund raiser for a new school. It was my birthday, they had ****ywood stars there, the place was packed, only floor space. Great traditional food, good music and a great time had by all. Also Ealing and Southall have good Indian/Asian restaurants. Also the East end of London.

I guess I am just spoilt because I know the "proper" food, as opposed to the "popular" food. More so the vegetarian dishes, being a non meat eater.

Also I have a good friend who visits India every year, I do not joke when I tell you his surname is Curry:) he has also introduced me to proper Indian/Asian food, and he knows/has learnt; how to cook it.

Being abroad, I do miss a good fish and chip supper, but I comfort myself with a decent curry :)

[pete752]

Sorry if I made it sound as if all food was bad, It is not all bad. I was introduced to the "GOOD" places, by my Asian friends. There is one in particular which I discovered by accident, near Wembely; where the food is "true" Indian style. Some years back I was there for a special event, a fund raiser for a new school. It was my birthday, they had ****ywood stars there, the place was packed, only floor space. Great traditional food, good music and a great time had by all. Also Ealing and Southall have good Indian/Asian restaurants. Also the East end of London.

I guess I am just spoilt because I know the "proper" food, as opposed to the "popular" food. More so the vegetarian dishes, being a non meat eater.

Also I have a good friend who visits India every year, I do not joke when I tell you his surname is Curry:) he has also introduced me to proper Indian/Asian food, and he knows/has learnt; how to cook it.

Being abroad, I do miss a good fish and chip supper, but I comfort myself with a decent curry :)

The next time you are in London, I could point you to some very handy places in East London that I'm sure you'll love as a non meat eater :D
I tried them on my last trip and I was surprised myself that they are as good as the ones back in India!

I come from South India and no one in my family eats meat except for me; plus, vegetarianism is common in the south of the country. But, there is one place in Mortimer Street in London which remains to date one of the best Indian restaurants I have found outside the country!

Oh, and I do think that you are pulling my leg with the surname thing! :)

[robinredshanks]

The next time you are in London, I could point you to some very handy places in East London that I'm sure you'll love as a non meat eater :D
I tried them on my last trip and I was surprised myself that they are as good as the ones back in India!

I come from South India and no one in my family eats meat except for me; plus, vegetarianism is common in the south of the country. But, there is one place in Mortimer Street in London which remains to date one of the best Indian restaurants I have found outside the country!

Oh, and I do think that you are pulling my leg with the surname thing! :)

I promise you it's true, I met him in Portugal, eight years ago. He hails from Brighton, I had a house in Hastings, after leaving Liverpool and London. I can't give you his e mail on this site, but I am sure he would like to meet/talk to you.

His son lives here in Brazil. and we keepl in touch, on a regular basis; plus he owes me 200 euros :eek:so I won't lose touch:D

I used to help him do a Indian food night at the "Riverside" bar in Tavira, on the Algarve. We also had a few Indian food days in my cafe, El Mohito, in Ayamonte Spain.

If I ever meet with you in London, I will take you to a few great places in West London/Southall. From smart restaurants, to a couple of Asian owned, but very English, pubs, with very basic but very tasty food, and very cheap.:D

But let's not take this thread too much off topic. Now what was the subject?

[Petethepistolpool]

I only fully overcame the depression of Suday's game today upon reading the club selling reports.

I completely agree with the comments about lack of support, especially concerning the Newcastle fans. It's hard to take, losing and such, but when cynicism and bitterness set in any upset is taken like an insult. I couldn't believe when I watched the West Brom game how clearly you could hear the away fans. To think that the people are there every week without a full barreled chest of proud songs - at the end of the Man City game you could hear the away supporters singing YNWA - I think the home fans are a tad too proud: a game is a game, the players are your army and your support load their guns (I could try and think of a slightly more peaceful analogy, but anyway..).

the fans that boo do not deserve to see the team return and win. The fans that boo aren't fans. They are oppourtunistic supporters who jump on when the victories fly, but who, at the first sight of failure, feel the need to disgustingly display their disappointment in a bitter rage - that is not and will never be the way. Istanbul highlights this exactly. It's strange, as I said, maybe it's the away support who really support the team, but as was mentioned here, the people on the stands of the Kop need to reconsider - like, I'll admit, a few of the players - just how lucky they are to be there in the first place.

I love the club, but almost cringe now when it comes to people talking about the wonderful support - it's how I get when the club's history is mentioned. It's only the present that really matters, though the history is definite and defines a club, the support seems to change with the times, and the impatience and anger is upsetting, but, watch almost any other premier league match and the same jeering takes place.

I'll finish this speil by saying that I have a friend in Newcastle upon Tyne, and he says the city and the people are properly buzzing again, and the fans, having taken a knock - the 'fans' being shaken up - seems to have done the atmosphere the world of good. The only problem I have with new owners is that if they invest, we'll see all the boo-ers up there singing without self-reproach or guilt the wonderfully iconic but seldom lived up to --- YNWA.

[Petethepistolpool]

But anyway, the topic has clearly passed to man on man meat-and-greats...:D

Only joking!

I've been to neither India nor Brazil, though I have an uncle in Rio. South-East asian street food is remarkable, but that's the limit of my culinary experience.. and desire to continue discussing it :D

That, again, is me jiving a joke..:tumbleweed

[robinredshanks]

Hi Pete, welcome to the boards. :scarf:scarf

[pete752]

I only fully overcame the depression of Suday's game today upon reading the club selling reports.

I completely agree with the comments about lack of support, especially concerning the Newcastle fans. It's hard to take, losing and such, but when cynicism and bitterness set in any upset is taken like an insult. I couldn't believe when I watched the West Brom game how clearly you could hear the away fans. To think that the people are there every week without a full barreled chest of proud songs - at the end of the Man City game you could hear the away supporters singing YNWA - I think the home fans are a tad too proud: a game is a game, the players are your army and your support load their guns (I could try and think of a slightly more peaceful analogy, but anyway..).

the fans that boo do not deserve to see the team return and win. The fans that boo aren't fans. They are oppourtunistic supporters who jump on when the victories fly, but who, at the first sight of failure, feel the need to disgustingly display their disappointment in a bitter rage - that is not and will never be the way. Istanbul highlights this exactly. It's strange, as I said, maybe it's the away support who really support the team, but as was mentioned here, the people on the stands of the Kop need to reconsider - like, I'll admit, a few of the players - just how lucky they are to be there in the first place.

I love the club, but almost cringe now when it comes to people talking about the wonderful support - it's how I get when the club's history is mentioned. It's only the present that really matters, though the history is definite and defines a club, the support seems to change with the times, and the impatience and anger is upsetting, but, watch almost any other premier league match and the same jeering takes place.

I'll finish this speil by saying that I have a friend in Newcastle upon Tyne, and he says the city and the people are properly buzzing again, and the fans, having taken a knock - the 'fans' being shaken up - seems to have done the atmosphere the world of good. The only problem I have with new owners is that if they invest, we'll see all the boo-ers up there singing without self-reproach or guilt the wonderfully iconic but seldom lived up to --- YNWA.

Great post. This is why I felt that the soul of our club has been lost somewhere down the line. These past few months, Anfield has been so quiet that it feels more like a tomb.

We are clearly struggling on the pitch and jeering and booing the team is not going to help at all. It is hard to keep cheering through the bad times but that's when the team needs its supporters the most doesn't it.

Hopefully, this sale is concluded soon but I have to say that I'm nervous about the legal wrangling ahead of the sale..shame that the shysters will go to the bitter end to try and scupper us.

[robinredshanks]

I only fully overcame the depression of Suday's game today upon reading the club selling reports.

I completely agree with the comments about lack of support, especially concerning the Newcastle fans. It's hard to take, losing and such, but when cynicism and bitterness set in any upset is taken like an insult. I couldn't believe when I watched the West Brom game how clearly you could hear the away fans. To think that the people are there every week without a full barreled chest of proud songs - at the end of the Man City game you could hear the away supporters singing YNWA - I think the home fans are a tad too proud: a game is a game, the players are your army and your support load their guns (I could try and think of a slightly more peaceful analogy, but anyway..).

the fans that boo do not deserve to see the team return and win. The fans that boo aren't fans. They are oppourtunistic supporters who jump on when the victories fly, but who, at the first sight of failure, feel the need to disgustingly display their disappointment in a bitter rage - that is not and will never be the way. Istanbul highlights this exactly. It's strange, as I said, maybe it's the away support who really support the team, but as was mentioned here, the people on the stands of the Kop need to reconsider - like, I'll admit, a few of the players - just how lucky they are to be there in the first place.

I love the club, but almost cringe now when it comes to people talking about the wonderful support - it's how I get when the club's history is mentioned. It's only the present that really matters, though the history is definite and defines a club, the support seems to change with the times, and the impatience and anger is upsetting, but, watch almost any other premier league match and the same jeering takes place.

I'll finish this speil by saying that I have a friend in Newcastle upon Tyne, and he says the city and the people are properly buzzing again, and the fans, having taken a knock - the 'fans' being shaken up - seems to have done the atmosphere the world of good. The only problem I have with new owners is that if they invest, we'll see all the boo-ers up there singing without self-reproach or guilt the wonderfully iconic but seldom lived up to --- YNWA.

Some good points there Pete, I hate the booing as well, I didn't like the "judas" gears for Owen either.

With respect to Newcastle, they "stole" some of our best players,:D Keegan, Beardsly et al. But they are a great group of supporters, I've had a few good weekends up there, they can celebrate as well as Liverpool fans. And they have had a few knocks to take in the past few years. Yet they still stay loyal.

I think most LFC supporters are just frustrated by everything that is going on "behind the scenes". Ownership issue etc. The sooner we have a decent Captain at the helm, we can steer a straight course,and concentrate on the crew :D

[marco35]

This team nor any other will respond to the boos and jeers that has accompanied the teams performance in recent weeks. If the supporters arent behind you then its not going to happen on the pitch. This team responds to the cheers, the songs and the witty banter thats famous the world over.:scarf Since when do the kop shout Judas at a player when they should be rallying their team on to score more goals after coming from 2-0 down to 2-2 against our nasty manc neigbours it seems that we all have let our attention be drawn away from the team and we have been lead down a dark and narrow passageway.i have spent the last coupe of weeks taking the abuse from manc and arsenal supporters it goes with the territory i suppose but when im riducled by the solitary glory hunting chelski supporter in work it sends you near to breakig point. :mad:

[SayNOtoNANDO]

Thanks robin i am new and the advise will come in handy no insult taken. what your feelings on the apparant takeover? i jus really don.t know what to think to be honest still they cudn,t be as bad as h&g. definately meet up for a drink sometime and i will keep in contact.:scarf

[robinredshanks]

This team nor any other will respond to the boos and jeers that has accompanied the teams performance in recent weeks. If the supporters arent behind you then its not going to happen on the pitch. This team responds to the cheers, the songs and the witty banter thats famous the world over.:scarf Since when do the kop shout Judas at a player when they should be rallying their team on to score more goals after coming from 2-0 down to 2-2 against our nasty manc neigbours it seems that we all have let our attention be drawn away from the team and we have been lead down a dark and narrow passageway.i have spent the last coupe of weeks taking the abuse from manc and arsenal supporters it goes with the territory i suppose but when im riducled by the solitary glory hunting chelski supporter in work it sends you near to breakig point. :mad:

The judas chants were aimed at Michael Owen, because he is now playing for the mancs.

Owen gave the club good service, whatever people might say. Yes I know he is a bitter at heart, and now wears a mancs shirt. But I found the judas chants funny to start with, but then distasteful. They went on for far too lomg. IMO.

Perhaps times have changed, for the worse, not the better. Personally I don't like to see any ex player getting booed of cat called. If Owen had gone direct from LFC to the mancs, then perhaps I could understand it. But he apparently wanted to come back, money and Benitez were the problems I understand.

One day perhaps he will write a book, and we will learn the full truth.