Reds in the burgh - Liverpool Fans in Edinburgh » History Lesson

Reclaim The Kop – What We Stand For

jamie — Tue, 01 May 2007 12:23:06 +0000

If you don’t believe in these things, then really you should support another team…

1) First is that we are only custodians. The Kop is a spirit, an attitude, the heart and soul of Liverpool F.C. No-one owns it, but together we are a legion, a force like no other.
2. There is no other. The Kop is a one-off. It’s the cradle of terrace culture, humour, songs – the original 12th Man. The Kop innovates. It has never followed. As Liverpudlians, we should never follow the rest of country’s trends and fancies. Whether that takes the form of lower-league grade chanting, overhead seal-clapping or the wearing of yokel-style head gear, The Kop deserves better.
3. “Liverpool F.C exists as a source of pride for its supporters. It has no other purpose.” If that is the club’s pledge to us, here’s ours to the team. “The Kop exists as a bastion of support. We will get behind the team through thick and thin. We will, always, give them strength.”

“Liverpool F.C exists as a source of pride for its supporters. It has no other purpose.”

4. It’s the law of nature that fans have favourites. Let’s leave the negative stuff in the pubs and schools and wherever else there’s a debate to be had. Once we set foot inside Anfield, we are Redmen and we have one purpose; to help the team win.
5. Let’s get inside the ground earlier. This is all about playing our part in making Anfield special, and providing the backdrop and the inspiration for the team to walk tall. It’s also about letting the other team know where they are. When they come out to warm up, we want our heroes’ hearts pumping – and want the opposition shrivelling. Everyone loves a pre-match pint, but let’s get The Kop rocking, too.
6. On 15th April 1989, many thousands of us set off to support our team in the semi final of the F.A Cup. 96 of us never came home again. We will always honour the memory of those who died at Hillsborough. In our respect for them and their families, and in our disdain for the unprincipled and unregulated hacks who scared up a shameful pack of lies out of a desperate human tragedy, we will never purchase or read The Sun newspaper, and we deplore the reading of it by any Liverpool supporter.
7. It is our custom and our privilege to welcome supporters from far and wide. We expect all Kopites of all ages, wherever they sit inside the ground, to show similar respect to the city of the team they support. It’s not endearing when visitors don curly-perm wigs and tell locals to “calm down”. It’s not clever to laugh along with away fans who sing tiresome nursery rhymes about car crime. Support Liverpool F.C, and you support Liverpool, too.
8. We always applaud the other team’s goalie – it’s the Liverpool way.
9. “Liverpool F.C. Supporters All Over The World.” We don’t tolerate racism. Everyone knows LFC, all around the globe. From Nairobi to Ngoya, we have fans, people who love us because we do things The Liverpool Way. We have style, we have honour, we have principles. We are a global force with a local pulse – truly, a club of the people.
10. Our own icon, the symbol that makes The Kop a legend all over the world, is our anthem: You’ll Never Walk Alone. If there is one thing that sets us apart as fans, it’s this pre-match ritual, this war cry, our hymn of triumph, and occasional pain. We’re custodians of the anthem, and we have to maintain it and pass it on to the next generation, in pristine condition. We can never dilute the song, its message and its impact with half-measures and bursts of applause half way through. Let’s respect the anthem and do it proud, sing it slowly and with heartfelt emotion, right to the end, scarves held high.
Amen.
http://www.reclaimthekop.co.uk

Technorati tags: liverpool, liverpoolfc, redsintheburgh, reclaim the kop

Alan binns on Alan ball – our first real comment on RITB!

jamie — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 11:00:06 +0000

Our first real comment!

Alan Binns Apr 25th, 2007 at 10:45 am

I was only 5 years old and out in the street looking for pals to play with on the famous day in 1966. I didnt know why everyone was inside and watching football on the old black and white telly we had. Then suddenly in the late afternoon/early evening everything went mad and my brother explained to me what had happened. [I wish I had appreciated it!!}
I was swiftly introduced to football and a game thus ensued in our back yard.
Within 3 days I had chosen a favourite team which was Everton because I had been taken by the applaudits of the performance of Alan Ball who was my choice of favourite player.
I followed Alan’s career with interest and actually met him at The Shay [Halifax Town when he turned up there to meet his dad [also Alan Ball] who was the Manager of Halifax. Alan signed me an autograph very kindly 6 times! [I was only about 7 years old] and it left an impression as he was my hero and so very kind.
I watched him in later years when I lived in Blackpool for a few years and he had returned there as Player/ manager. He was about 3 moves ahead of every other player in football thinking and moves and despite his age, his peers and team mates couldnt keep up with him.
I cried the odd tear on hearing of his loss today and feel its such a waste at a fairly young age. He had lots more to offer life.
Sleep well Alan.
Alan

Thank you Alan

http://www.jamieclague.co.uk/redsintheburgh/?p=190

Technorati tags: alan ball, everton, halifax town