It was the best of Tuesdays. No work. The tickets had been ordered and delivered, the crew had been selected, the car had been hired, the directions sorted. Necessary clothing purchases were made during the day to ensure I was one of the gang. That my allegiance could never be questioned. This was to be a night to remember.
Traffic on the M62 had me nervous. We were meant to be doing 70mph – but we were stopped - being overtaken by dead turtles on Valium. But I need not worry. We still had 3 hours to spare and were probably less than 40 miles from Mecca. We would make it.
The Place: Liverpool, England
Easy enough to find! Get on the M62 from Leeds and just drive west till you see the signs. But to pinpoint the destination would be tricky. It was already dark. We were hungry - and all the Maccas were on the other side of the road. The traffic was heavy, one wrong lane and we may have been playing the fruit machines in Blackpool. And the pressure of the event was starting to see butterflies appear in the stomach. In the end it was good signposting on the part of the Merseyside Council, half a dozen illegal U-turns and a makeshift school car park that put us where we (more specifically I) needed to be.
Anfield.
The Event: Champions League Qualifier Liverpool vs Borussia Dortmund.
5 minutes before kick off - Where is everyone?
We ended up being so early that the gates hadn't even opened. This didn't stop the nervousness. My boys had to at least draw to get through to the next stage. With Houllier in hospital, I was ready to take charge in case Thomson had his own heart attack. We stood outside and watched the Dortmund fans get ushered into the stadium by well over 60 stewards. They were in fine voice - but who could understand them? Not I - nor did I care to - they were the enemy. (Do I sound English yet - just scared myself). Finally the gates opened and we climbed the stairs of the Centenary Stand to our seats. As we come through the doorway, there in front of me, I see an empty Kop. All red seating except the white ones spelling out LFC. I had made it. The Dortmund fans were in and still in full voice. They were unopposed as the ground was virtually empty. A few Dortmund players ran out to warm up bringing new chants. Great timing is the stuff that Liverpool fans are made of because is seems as though as the first of the Reds were running onto the pitch, every seat in Anfield had magically filled and all of a sudden the Dortmund fans had been silenced by a chorus of 'When the Reds Go Marching In'. Just before kick off was the moment that I think I wanted more than the game itself. Music started over the loudspeaker. 41000 people rose from their seats. Initially I thought it might be a national anthem. But no. It was bigger than that. 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. This song will make hairs on the back of my neck stand, bring a tear to the eye and make the bottom lip quiver. United even with Dortmund for these minutes, there was hardly a person not singing. But its not just singing. If you have a Red and White scarf - its stretched above your head. If you have a Red and White flag - its waving. If you have a voice - its at full volume. The Kop has disappeared under 3 of the hugest Liverpool flags that could probably been awnings for The Colosseum. I could've gone home there and then and been more than happy. But wait there's more..............
The Kop - Full & Loud
The Game
90 minutes of football = 90 minutes of singing and cheering. A wonderful volley from Smicer saw Liverpool take and early 1-0 lead. They scored at the end we were sitting. The crowd went nuts. Heeeeeeyheeeeeey Smicer OOOOh! Ahhhh! I wanna knooowwwwwwww woah. If you'll score my goal.
Half time and Liverpool are on fire. No way were we going to lose and when Steven Wright scored in his Champions league debut. Liverpool at 2-0 were going through to the next stage. And I was there to see it. Could it get better? You betcha! When Michael Owen was substituted the crowd gave a standing ovation for a local hero who had terrorised a brilliant Dortmund defense. When his sub came on, Robbie Fowler, the crowd went fucking apeshit (sorry mum but they did). No-one has more respect in football than Liverpool fans for Fowler. Best way I can explain this is by telling of the kiddie outside the ground wearing a Liverpool shirt with Fowler's number 9 and the name 'GOD' on the back. With minutes remaining and no chance of losing it was back to an old faithful. I thought the singing before the game was loud. When we sang 'You'll Never Walk Alone' near the end, it was a wonder you didn't hear it from where you were.
Liverpool Cross Into The Penalty Area
WHAT A RIPPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Comedown
The other boys fell asleep on the drive home. But I was still buzzing. It would be a long time before I slept. And I will do everything to remember this night for a long time. Like the Liverpool shirt which hangs proudly on the back of my door. Or reliving it all through this blog.
