Immediately after the jubilation of beating Real Madrid in their own backyard, I received a text message from a fellow red. It read, "Want to bet we follow this win up with a drab performance against Borough?". In truth it was become all too predictable as we struggled once again against lowly opposition. After having drawn sides in the bottom quarter of the table at home, we proved yet again that we are at the very least consistent, this time being brushed aside by a side that was second from bottom prior to kickoff. The critics will once again question Rafa's decision to sell Roy Keane, our only other recognised striker when we were fighting for the title. Our finishing last night was woeful and in truth, we brought the result upon ourselves.
Unfortunately I had to catch last night's game without the company of MyRAWK as I had to attend a friend's birthday party. I was surrounded by Mancs who were intent on making it a miserable night for anyone with a Liverbird on their chest. After Borough had gone one up, two such specimens walked up to me and started doing the lamest of jigs in my face while physically poking me on the chest. Their classless act was met by a prompt and stern, "Don't Fck with me". I was left alone until the end of the game when one of them told another this, "I may not watch our games. We can lose to anyone as long as we don't lose to them!". Frankly, I would be ashamed of such a statement if I were a Manc. It just reinforced the stereotype I have of some Mancs sucking the same air I am. In contrast a more pragmatic Manc I know send me an SMS that read, "Most Utd fans will start gloating and talking trash... But I think March 14th will be crucial". Perhaps he was just expressing sympathy because as I mentioned in my post 2 weeks ago, the fat lady has already recorded a single and is just waiting for it to be released.
There is no question in my mind now that the Mancs will win their 18th league championship, effectively putting them on the same fcking perch Fergie wanted to knock us off. He is now just one more season away from doing just that if things continue the way they are. I was hoping that the demise of Rick Parry would have spurred the lads on to get a positive result last night but maybe the euphoria will take some time to have effect. A couple of guys I know were in tears last night as our expectations were raised to a new high this season. I am proud of these lads because I know it means just that much to them, and in truth, not many will be able to relate. Don't make the mistake of thinking that these tears were shed simply because we lost a football game. These tears were shed because they simply could not stand seeing someone they love so much, fall from grace. It was not because of self pity. I received another message from another fellow fan that read, "Dude, my BP is seriously fooked and I'm taking meds. Bursat a some blood vessels for sure. Just ruined my wife's birthday with my mood". Incidentally the said wife is a Manc. Some people may say that these are acts of stupidity. To this, I only have to say that these people just haven't found something they love enough. There should only be two reactions to winning or losing if you ask me. Extreme joy, or extreme despair. Those that experience the in-between either haven't developed an affinity or are afraid to simply because of the contrasting emotions that will be experienced.
It isn't all doom and gloom mates. Do not stray from your path. In times like this it's important to stand tall and hold your chin up. I'm going to 1 U today and if you are there, please look out for a guy with Ah Beng looking brown hair, with his Liverpool kit on. Please feel free to say "hi"if you witness my act of defiance. Here's an article that will lift your spirits.
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'You'll Never Walk Alone' hit No.1 in the pop charts 40 years ago this week. Here, Paul Gray explains what the Liverpool anthem means to him...
Watching the local news in the Midlands the other day there was a piece about the battle to save the world's oldest football league club, Notts County. How refreshing it was to see their bitterest rivals, Forest, helping them stay afloat as numerous red Forest shirts were scattered around the ground in support of their neighbours. I think I am right in saying that these two clubs are the only clubs closer to each other than Liverpool and Everton in England.
Forest striker David Johnston was even on the pitch at half time to show his support in the battle to save this famous club. As the presenter did his closing speech, filmed after the game, there was a wonderful noise in the background, as the ditty first written by Rogers and Hammerstein, and covered by Gerry Marsden echoed round Meadow Lane. That tune was of course, 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.
It struck me as how incredible this song is, and how it reaches across all boundaries across the world. There are so many stories relating to this song, so many emotions, and so many memories every time you hear the song.
A good friend of mine at university once commented that it was "pathetic" that I wanted 'You'll Never Walk Alone' played at my funeral. To her it was just a football song. Something Liverpool fans sung. To me it is so much more. If I were to list the greatest highs in my life, and a lowest of lows I am sure that 'You'll Never Walk Alone' would play a major part in many of them.
This song is integrated into all our lives as Liverpool fans, from the tears shed in the aftermath of Hillsborough, to the triumphs at Anfield, Wembley, Cardiff, Dortmund et al. But it stretches so much further than that. Once I explained what the song meant to me, she had a tear in her eye, and admitted she would always look on YNWA in a different light from that day onwards. Another person touched by it, and I'm sure that she will always think of me whenever she hears that song.
Who could forget the awesome rendition in the San Siro at the AC Milan - Real Madrid European Cup Semi-Final on the Wednesday after Hillsborough? The referee blew his whistle 6 minutes into the game to stop play and hold a minute's silence. About 20 seconds into the silence the Milan fans on the Curva Sud as one started singing YNWA. I have always had a soft spot for the Rossoneri since then. What an unbelievable tribute to Liverpool, the club, the city, and the people than having fellow football fans thousands of miles away singing our anthem.
On a sourer note, when a small minority of Man Utd fans didn't respect a minute's silence at Old Trafford in memory of the victims of Hillsborough, what was booming out of the away end straight after? The Sunderland fans gave a respectful, and defiant rendition of our anthem. How many other clubs have an anthem that is so recognised and so well known?
The same night of the news report there was a round up of Champions League games, and the Bruges fans were also singing it. It is sung by so many fans around Europe, and has been heard in Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Holland, and many other places as well I am sure. Yet it is our song. Celtic may sing in week in week out, and sadly often do a better job than us, but it is still our anthem. The Republic of Ireland National side have adopted it as their anthem as well. The Dutch National team too.
It is not just football fans that love the song. My brother lived in America for a while due to work commitments, and there one of his friends was a huge fan of the musicals. One day, 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was played, Gerry Marsden's version of course, and this American, who had no idea of the concept of football (or soccer sic) expressed her love for the wonderful tune, which she instantly recognised as that from the musical 'Carousel'. When she heard the stories of what it meant to us, the highs, the lows, as well as the idea of 45,000 people singing it together in harmony, tears were shed. She could not comprehend the idea of so many people singing this tune together.
There so many occasions when this song has been sung so well, you could not list them all, but there are a few occasions that stick in my mind.
When Gerard Houllier returned from his life threatening illness, Anfield was a cauldron of noise seen rarely before, but the highlight was undoubtedly the rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' at the end. I've never experienced an atmosphere like it, it was incredible. And the centrepiece, taking pride of place as the focal point of an awesome display was, once again, our famous anthem.
Who could forget the FA Cup Final of 1989, and the tears that were shed by Liverpool and Everton alike as Merseyside joined together to honour our missing friends.
On completing the remarkable Treble in 2001 on an incredible night in Dortmund, it was amazing to see the players, the manager, the coaches, and the other backroom staff united with the fans to sing our song. The Alaves fans, a credit to their club, were belting it out as passionately as any Liverpool fan, and again, two clubs, two sets of fans, bonded together, with this song the focal point. I've got a picture from that night with all the staff, arms around each other in a long line in front of the celebrating fans. Could any other club have this bond? Does any other club have such an anthem?
Strangely enough the singing of YNWA that sticks out most in my mind from last season was probably on the lowest day! Any defeat to the Mancs hurts like hell. Losing 4-0 is just horrible, and something I don't want to experience again, yet with a couple of minutes to go, 4-0 down to our most hated rivals, the first few bars of our song echoedout from the travelling supporters still in the ground. I look around to see fists clenched, faces contorted, veins bulging as 'You'll Never Walk Alone' booms out in sheer defiance, as the pride in our club remains, despite the poor result on the day. How many clubs would still be singing in those circumstances?
A final memory related to the song is one a lot closer to home. Anyone who read the piece I did about how 'I should have been a Blue' may recall me mentioning my Aunt Chris who was a Blue. Sadly, she recently died after a long illness, but at her funeral I was told of one her last nights with her family. The family were gathered around her bed, and they were singing traditional Irish folk songs, hymns and other songs. Aunt Chris was merrily leading the chorus', as her loving family followed her lead. Then she was trying to recall the words to this other song that she loved, but couldn't quite recall.
Having hummed the tune it suddenly dawned on the rest of the family, every one a Blue I might add, that the tune she was humming was in fact 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. One of the last moments together with her Everton supporting family, and my Aunt Chris is singing Everton's biggest rival's anthem!! I can just picture the face of her husband, as he's as bitter as the come, and that thought always brings a smile to my face. So a couple of weeks after her funeral I travel to Goodison Park, and it is fair to say I had a tear in my eye when thinking of my Aunt Chris as we sang 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.
So many memories. So many emotions. 'You'll Never Walk Alone' is more than just a song. It crosses boundaries like few have before. It has touched so many people, both in and out of the football community, and for me it is without rival as the greatest song ever written.
Think about these words:
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high,
And don't be afraid of the dark.
I've been there when it was dark mates and I can tell you, the sun will shine at some point. To me it was in Istanbul. I've said before that the one thing that differentiates us from any rival fans, it's that some of us have been through dark times. I can assure you that no rival poster here have had a similar experience. Things have only gotten better and better for them since the early 90s. You have been tried, tested and you are still here. To you it isn't simply about winning or watching "beautiful football". It is about supporting something that represents the values you want need in life.At the end of a storm,
There's a golden sky,
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Though your dreams be tossed and blown...
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never walk alone.
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone...
You'll never walk alone.
I urge you once again mates to hold your heads up high and be dignified in defeat. You will come across a few funny stares and girly giggles but what bigger statement could there be that you are a fan who stands by his team especially in defeat? It is during these times that the club and it's players need you the most, don't abandon them. Show your support today by flying our colours when you go out today. You are ambassadors of a club that has a long and proud history, never forget that. You are one of Shankly's men. Do us proud Attached thumbnail(s)
Feb 8 2009, 04:20 PM
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