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- Jul 27, 2004
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Brighton winger Craig Noone can't wait to take on his Liverpool FC heroes – and ask for Wembley tickets while he’s there
LIFELONG Liverpool FC fan Craig Noone is on a two-pronged mission when he steps out at Anfield with Brighton on Sunday.
The talented winger wants to knock his heroes out of the FA Cup and end his long search for Carling Cup final tickets.
Noone, who grew up in Kirkby, is relishing the prospect of facing Kenny Dalglish’s side for the second time this season.
The 24-year-old will realise a dream by playing in front of a full house at Anfield but he’s also keen to ensure he has a seat to watch Liverpool in action against Cardiff City at Wembley seven days later.
“I’ve always been a massive Red,” he said.
“I still get to games whenever I can, especially when they’re playing in London. I was in the away end with some mates at Spurs and Fulham earlier this season.
“It’s great that they’ve got to Wembley but I haven’t got a ticket yet. In fact I’m getting a bit desperate.
“I’ll be speaking to a few of the Liverpool players on Sunday to see if they can help me out.
“Can you also stick an appeal in the ECHO asking if anyone has two spares I can buy?”
Noone has played at Anfield before but the occasion was considerably more low key than a fifth round tie in the FA Cup.
“I was about 17 and it was for Myerscough College in the National Colleges Cup final. We won and I scored in front of the Kop,” he said.
“That was amazing but the Kop was empty that day. There were only a few hundred in the ground. It’s always been a dream of mine to play there when it’s full.”
Noone was on Liverpool’s books from the age of nine but was released two years later.
He went on to play non-league football for Skelmersdale United and then Burscough before a brief spell at Southport.
Noone trained as a roofer and four years ago he was working on Steven Gerrard’s extension.
It was a tale that was told in the build up to the Carling Cup clash between the clubs at the Amex Stadium back in September.
The Reds won 2-1 courtesy of goals from Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt but Noone walked away with the sponsors’ man of the match bubbly for his dazzling performance.
The mementoes from that night have pride of place in his Brighton home.
“I used to see Steven going off to training in the morning while I was working on his house and think ‘if I ever come up against you in my career I’ll have to mention about doing your roof’,” he said.
“He was great to me earlier in the season. It was his comeback match after injury and he gave me his shirt.
“I’ve got both his and my shirt and I’m getting them put in a double frame with a photo.
“To do the Sky interview alongside him afterwards was unbelievable for me. He said I deserved to be man of the match because I’d caused Liverpool a lot of problems.
“For him to say that made me really proud, especially when I think about where I’ve come from.
“It wasn’t long ago I was playing non-league football part-time and working as a roofer. That puts into perspective how far I’ve come and sometimes I have to pinch myself.”
Noone’s career took off in 2008 when he earned a professional deal with Plymouth.
Brighton bought him midway through last season and he helped them clinch the League One title.
The Seagulls have made a big impact in the Championship this season. Gus Poyet’s side are in contention for a play-off place and demonstrated their threat when they dumped Newcastle out of the FA Cup in the last round.
They arrive at Anfield on the back of a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions and Noone, who has recently returned to action after five weeks out with a hamstring injury, admits confidence is high.
“I’m feeling good and after a couple of substitute appearances I’m hoping to be back in the starting line up for Sunday,” he said.
“To be honest, just to play some part in the game would be amazing.
“When Liverpool came out first in the draw I just thought ‘not again surely’. Once our name followed I was just buzzing. To get the chance to play them home and away in the same season is a bit surreal.
“We gave a good account of ourselves against them in the Carling Cup but their extra bit of class shone through in the end.
“I’m loving it at Brighton. I’m learning all the time and Gus is unbelievable to play for. His coaching is spot on and he’s made me a much better player.
“We’ve had a few Premier League scalps already this season. We knocked Sunderland out of the Carling Cup and then we beat Newcastle in the FA Cup.
“We’ll go to Anfield with nothing to lose and everything to gain. There’s no pressure on us.
“We’ve already proved this season we’ve capable of giving Liverpool a good game and hopefully we’ll do the same again.”
Noone won’t be short of support on Sunday with family and friends flocking to see him grace Anfield. However, it’s fair to say there will be plenty of split loyalties.
“I’ve got loads coming,” he added.
“I bought 25 tickets in the Brighton end and I’ve got mates and family in the Main Stand and the Kop as well.
“My dad and his mates are all big Reds and they’re in with the away fans so I’ve told them they’ll have to sit on their hands. It’s going to be a special day.”
Brighton winger Craig Noone can't wait to take on his Liverpool FC heroes s there - Liverpool FC News - Liverpool FC - Liverpool Echo
LIFELONG Liverpool FC fan Craig Noone is on a two-pronged mission when he steps out at Anfield with Brighton on Sunday.
The talented winger wants to knock his heroes out of the FA Cup and end his long search for Carling Cup final tickets.
Noone, who grew up in Kirkby, is relishing the prospect of facing Kenny Dalglish’s side for the second time this season.
The 24-year-old will realise a dream by playing in front of a full house at Anfield but he’s also keen to ensure he has a seat to watch Liverpool in action against Cardiff City at Wembley seven days later.
“I’ve always been a massive Red,” he said.
“I still get to games whenever I can, especially when they’re playing in London. I was in the away end with some mates at Spurs and Fulham earlier this season.
“It’s great that they’ve got to Wembley but I haven’t got a ticket yet. In fact I’m getting a bit desperate.
“I’ll be speaking to a few of the Liverpool players on Sunday to see if they can help me out.
“Can you also stick an appeal in the ECHO asking if anyone has two spares I can buy?”
Noone has played at Anfield before but the occasion was considerably more low key than a fifth round tie in the FA Cup.
“I was about 17 and it was for Myerscough College in the National Colleges Cup final. We won and I scored in front of the Kop,” he said.
“That was amazing but the Kop was empty that day. There were only a few hundred in the ground. It’s always been a dream of mine to play there when it’s full.”
Noone was on Liverpool’s books from the age of nine but was released two years later.
He went on to play non-league football for Skelmersdale United and then Burscough before a brief spell at Southport.
Noone trained as a roofer and four years ago he was working on Steven Gerrard’s extension.
It was a tale that was told in the build up to the Carling Cup clash between the clubs at the Amex Stadium back in September.
The Reds won 2-1 courtesy of goals from Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt but Noone walked away with the sponsors’ man of the match bubbly for his dazzling performance.
The mementoes from that night have pride of place in his Brighton home.
“I used to see Steven going off to training in the morning while I was working on his house and think ‘if I ever come up against you in my career I’ll have to mention about doing your roof’,” he said.
“He was great to me earlier in the season. It was his comeback match after injury and he gave me his shirt.
“I’ve got both his and my shirt and I’m getting them put in a double frame with a photo.
“To do the Sky interview alongside him afterwards was unbelievable for me. He said I deserved to be man of the match because I’d caused Liverpool a lot of problems.
“For him to say that made me really proud, especially when I think about where I’ve come from.
“It wasn’t long ago I was playing non-league football part-time and working as a roofer. That puts into perspective how far I’ve come and sometimes I have to pinch myself.”
Noone’s career took off in 2008 when he earned a professional deal with Plymouth.
Brighton bought him midway through last season and he helped them clinch the League One title.
The Seagulls have made a big impact in the Championship this season. Gus Poyet’s side are in contention for a play-off place and demonstrated their threat when they dumped Newcastle out of the FA Cup in the last round.
They arrive at Anfield on the back of a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions and Noone, who has recently returned to action after five weeks out with a hamstring injury, admits confidence is high.
“I’m feeling good and after a couple of substitute appearances I’m hoping to be back in the starting line up for Sunday,” he said.
“To be honest, just to play some part in the game would be amazing.
“When Liverpool came out first in the draw I just thought ‘not again surely’. Once our name followed I was just buzzing. To get the chance to play them home and away in the same season is a bit surreal.
“We gave a good account of ourselves against them in the Carling Cup but their extra bit of class shone through in the end.
“I’m loving it at Brighton. I’m learning all the time and Gus is unbelievable to play for. His coaching is spot on and he’s made me a much better player.
“We’ve had a few Premier League scalps already this season. We knocked Sunderland out of the Carling Cup and then we beat Newcastle in the FA Cup.
“We’ll go to Anfield with nothing to lose and everything to gain. There’s no pressure on us.
“We’ve already proved this season we’ve capable of giving Liverpool a good game and hopefully we’ll do the same again.”
Noone won’t be short of support on Sunday with family and friends flocking to see him grace Anfield. However, it’s fair to say there will be plenty of split loyalties.
“I’ve got loads coming,” he added.
“I bought 25 tickets in the Brighton end and I’ve got mates and family in the Main Stand and the Kop as well.
“My dad and his mates are all big Reds and they’re in with the away fans so I’ve told them they’ll have to sit on their hands. It’s going to be a special day.”
Brighton winger Craig Noone can't wait to take on his Liverpool FC heroes s there - Liverpool FC News - Liverpool FC - Liverpool Echo
