[Football] Liverpool F.C.

[Gregory2Smith1]

Remember that well - Coppell and Keegan. Was it?

remember Keegan scoring with a header,beat a very good side that night

 

[portlock seagull]

I've never tried on here for one moment to disguise the fact I'm a JCL.

Always loved football and played to a low but successful standard as a schoolkid in Bradford. Used to go and watch Bradford City in the old 4th now and again. Parents divorced when I was 12, Mum left and went to Blackpool, Oldham and Salford for short periods, then settled in Knutsford. Step-dad and his family all mad Man Utd fans, as was everyone else I knew up there, so I got invited to quite a lot of games. Friend played for them at the time, so I also used to get to meet the players when they were out socialising.

Moved down to Eastbourne in '89 (still went back up North every week to see family). Got married in '94 and my first wife's family were all Brighton fans, so I was exposed to 'Seagull Chat' aplenty. Even after I split with my first wife I remained friends with the blokes in her family, so got to know plenty about the Albion. Never went to any games, though. I was branded the 'Man Utd' fan because of my connections, and I suppose I was. Never bought the kit, or any 'Merch' - but always wanted them to win given a choice. Got a bit bored with everyone in my families sense of entitlement and expectations when it came to Man Utd, which I why I commented on another thread about Man City fans probably feeling the same.

So, (and I'm sure many people do this) I always used to look for the Bradford City, Brighton and Man Utd scores first - then the rest.

5 years ago, the owner of the business next to mine invited me to an Albion game, along with my Son. He's a 1901 member with 4 seats in the West... I accepted as I love to watch live football. Although the standard was a bit 'hoof and run' compared to the PL, I was taken aback by the Amex as a ground - and just how extremely well run the club was. I'm afraid I don't buy into the corporate side with the sit-down meals and so on, but even that was done to the same standards (and better) than when I'd been to Old Trafford on the corporates.

I mentioned I'd love to come along again if he had any last minute cancellations, and would happily pay for the tickets. The ground wasn't always full, but the North were a noisy bunch and the support was genuine - the place started to properly grow on me.

So, when I had the chance to buy ST's for myself and my Son - I did. I never quite expected to be watching Brighton in the PL quite as quickly as it happened, but that was a bonus. I loved the attacking football we played in the Championship - it was electric at times, and I always used to read NSC as a 'guest'.

Naturally the more hours you spend supporting a club, learning, getting to know the the history and what the club has been through - the more you come to appreciate. I'm afraid I don't give a shit about some has-been taking some shrapnel out of his pocket and throwing it to the floor. I was a small child living in Bradford at the time! I do appreciate the rivalry some people feel, though - and all bar a couple of the Palace supporters I know are, frankly, a bit twattish. Same with Millwall, Middlesbrough, Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday fans. Why them, I don't know - but they all seem to follow a set pattern!

Anyway... what struck me about BHAFC is the way it's run - from the bottom to the top. It's classy, genuine, thorough - and has great standards. I love the fact there's not one Albion player I think is a genuine idiot, the Manager is a fantastic person, the owner is a decent and humble multi-millionaire (rare breed), and everyone associated with the club is proud to be so. The feeling I get when I think of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, put simply, makes me smile. I love Sussex, it's my home - and I'm proud for Sussex that they have the Albion.

So, that's me. A Championship JCL. I'd renew my Season Ticket if we were in League 2 - I don't care, really. I love the 'seat of your pants' feeling you get watching us, not knowing if we'll be sublime or shite. It's what football is all about.

Lambast me if you will. I have no real right to be on here amongst battle-hardened, age-old Brighton fans - but you're a bloody good bunch and I'm chuffed to be on here.

Nah, you’re one of us son. Commiserations...

 

[BN9 BHA]

There was a massive problem with religion in Liverpool watch the who do you think you are for Cilla Black to see her family history as a guide. Families would cut off people that crossed the religious divide. If you want to google argue with me then I will wish you a merry christmas and leave it at that.

You say " There WAS a massive problem with religion in Liverpool " is there still a problem in 2018?

My original point before you got involved was that I didn't understand what the saying on the banner means.
My next point was I had only recently seen this type of banner, I'm sure the photos are from the last couple of seasons.
I don't remember seeing banners like this in photos and tv shots from the 70s/ 80s /90s etc.

I'm not going to " Google argue " with you either, all I meant was that I did a quick search between posts earlier and didn't see religion mentioned.
Most posts on the search are from forums, some mention Liverpool fans don't like the England team, some even mentioned a political reason to do with Thatcher.

I honestly don't know the answer, that's why I'm confused.

 

[portlock seagull]

Man U beat us in a final and have far too many glory supporters that wouldn't even know where the stadium is!
Liverpool does hold some special memories of laying down and letting us win when they pretty much ruled the land in that same year.

I have an irrational dislike for Manchester, where as Liverpool is a great city with a terrific vibe about the place.

Sums my feelings up too. Hitachi were always better than Sharp anyway...

 

[portlock seagull]

I come from a time when Liverpool were the biggest club in England, while we were playing Aldershot, Hull City, Rotherham,Chesterfield etc etc they were the Kings of the First Division. In those days European Cups were competed for only by the champions of their country, not by someone who slipped in to the draw by being 4th in some funny Spanish league. You had to be the best to play the best and that was the case with Liverpool, I fondly remember the times when they played in strange countries against teams whose " Fans" were baying mobs of smokebomb throwing lunatics and against all the odds they got a result.

Yet Liverpool would often grind out a result away then finish the job at home with relentless determination, I was a Brighton fan but on those nights I was a scouser ! they won the European Cup 4 times in 8 years which is truly an amazing achievement. SAF won just two European Cups in 27 years but is lauded as the greatest British manager of all time ? So for me, on a midweek European football night, i'm a scouser… but any other time I'm Brighton, and the Sunday FA cup victory over Liverpool will long live in the memory as from my position in the SW I was directly behind Terry Connors shot as he curled it round Grobbelar. !

Poetic! I could almost hear Peter Jones in that description which epitomises my fond memories too of the late 70s and early 80s. Mum never had any trouble getting me to go to bed on Liverpool in Europe nights, where the crowd were some times nearly all khaki Warsaw Pact soldiers and the crackle of Radio 2 coming live from Sparta Far-Away FC sounded like it was being played just outside Jupiter. Halcyon days those. No wonder Liverpool were my first love in a world devoid of TV football!

 

[wellquickwoody]

Just remind me, how may away days did we have at Anfield in the 70s?

I'll open the bidding with a minimum of 1?

 

[dangull]

When I was a kid, I thought when I was an adult I would have to wear a moustache and permed hair like my Liverpool idols.

What were they thinking

 

[Thimble Keegan]

A lot of reds in Liverpool are of Irish descent, therefore Catholic.

Evertonians tend to be Protestant.

It is actually the other way around, Everton draws their support from the mainly the staunch catholic areas of the city, Liverpool have historically been the Protestant club.

Neither club outright align themselves with the Old Firm but Everton do have a song which references hatred towards Rangers. But I doubt neither sets of fans are particularly sectarian these days.

Anyway, back to the original question, I grew-up under Liverpool's dominance in the 80's and was surrounded by "fans" of the Reds so I have absolutely no love for them at all. In fact, I actively wish Man City get their form back and power past Liverpool to win the League.

That said, I would much, much rather Liverpool were champions than Man Utd...

Albion & England forever.

Thimble Keegan
Worthing BHA

 

[BN9 BHA]

It is actually the other way around, Everton draws their support from the mainly the staunch catholic areas of the city, Liverpool have historically been the Protestant club.

Neither club outright align themselves with the Old Firm but Everton do have a song which references hatred towards Rangers. But I doubt neither sets of fans are particularly sectarian these days.

Anyway, back to the original question, I grew-up under Liverpool's dominance in the 80's and was surrounded by "fans" of the Reds so I have absolutely no love for them at all. In fact, I actively wish Man City get their form back and power past Liverpool to win the League.

That said, I would much, much rather Liverpool were champions than Man Utd...

Albion & England forever.

Thimble Keegan
Worthing BHA

[MENTION=36014]Saunders[/MENTION]

 

[Doonhamer7]

First started watching footie in late 70s, apart from going to see QOS (all 750-1000 of us on a good day) we all had an affinity to another club - which if you were Protestant was Rangers and Catholic Celtic - I didn’t want either so where was all Scotland’s best players - Dalglish, Souness, Hansen so went with Liverpool. My boss c8years older supports Man U because of same reason Buchan, Macari, McQueen and Jordan. I

 

[GT49er]

I'll open the bidding with a minimum of 1?

Less than that, I think. The person I was replying to (who said away days up there in the70s were grim) was apparently using the 'We' word to mean Palarse. But we (Brighton) didn't, I'm pretty sure.

Lovely city, lovely people, great club. Went to Uni. in Liverpool, and really loved standing on the Kop (for some of us Shankly did a brilliant PR job by playing University undergraduates in his team - lads we could identify with!). Haven't been back and done it since (well you can't these days anyway). Don't get me wrong, the Albion are my team; I don't like Liverpool FC anywhere near as much as I like the Albion, nowhere even close, but I still like them. I also think some of the more rabid anti-scousers are very wide of the mark, and a bit sad really.

 

[Gregory2Smith1]

It is actually the other way around, Everton draws their support from the mainly the staunch catholic areas of the city, Liverpool have historically been the Protestant club.

Neither club outright align themselves with the Old Firm but Everton do have a song which references hatred towards Rangers. But I doubt neither sets of fans are particularly sectarian these days.

Anyway, back to the original question, I grew-up under Liverpool's dominance in the 80's and was surrounded by "fans" of the Reds so I have absolutely no love for them at all. In fact, I actively wish Man City get their form back and power past Liverpool to win the League.

That said, I would much, much rather Liverpool were champions than Man Utd...

Albion & England forever.

Thimble Keegan
Worthing BHA

not really,all scousers pine for an affinity with Ireland

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Just remind me, how may away days did we have at Anfield in the 70s?

 

[Weststander]

Poetic! I could almost hear Peter Jones in that description which epitomises my fond memories too of the late 70s and early 80s. Mum never had any trouble getting me to go to bed on Liverpool in Europe nights, where the crowd were some times nearly all khaki Warsaw Pact soldiers and the crackle of Radio 2 coming live from Sparta Far-Away FC sounded like it was being played just outside Jupiter. Halcyon days those. No wonder Liverpool were my first love in a world devoid of TV football!

The amazing Peter Jones, or on extended TV highlights later the same evening with Gerald Sinstadt, or shown on Harry Carpenter’s Sportsnight away at eastern bloc clubs such as Dynamo Dresden. Much of it on youtube still.

 

[Gregory2Smith1]

First started watching footie in late 70s, apart from going to see QOS (all 750-1000 of us on a good day) we all had an affinity to another club - which if you were Protestant was Rangers and Catholic Celtic - I didn’t want either so where was all Scotland’s best players - Dalglish, Souness, Hansen so went with Liverpool. My boss c8years older supports Man U because of same reason Buchan, Macari, McQueen and Jordan. I

I thought all west coast teams were protestant

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

It is actually the other way around, Everton draws their support from the mainly the staunch catholic areas of the city, Liverpool have historically been the Protestant club.

Neither club outright align themselves with the Old Firm but Everton do have a song which references hatred towards Rangers. But I doubt neither sets of fans are particularly sectarian these days.

Anyway, back to the original question, I grew-up under Liverpool's dominance in the 80's and was surrounded by "fans" of the Reds so I have absolutely no love for them at all. In fact, I actively wish Man City get their form back and power past Liverpool to win the League.

That said, I would much, much rather Liverpool were champions than Man Utd...

Albion & England forever.

Thimble Keegan
Worthing BHA

Spot on. My dear old mate and neighbour is a lifelong Liverpool fan, born and bred, first games during the Phil Taylor era in division 2 with Jimmy Melia in the team, and was brought up a Catholic. The famous 'split family' phenomenon up there would be impossible if it were truly sectarian. That old bollocks is for the jocks.

I have noticed (from MOTD) that the Everton crowd look less scummy in recent years. Fat toothless blokes, and women with badly dyed hair screaming abuse was de rigeur only a few years ago. Now it seems to be mostly tutting.

 

[Weststander]

It is actually the other way around, Everton draws their support from the mainly the staunch catholic areas of the city, Liverpool have historically been the Protestant club.

Neither club outright align themselves with the Old Firm but Everton do have a song which references hatred towards Rangers. But I doubt neither sets of fans are particularly sectarian these days.

Anyway, back to the original question, I grew-up under Liverpool's dominance in the 80's and was surrounded by "fans" of the Reds so I have absolutely no love for them at all. In fact, I actively wish Man City get their form back and power past Liverpool to win the League.

That said, I would much, much rather Liverpool were champions than Man Utd...

Albion & England forever.

Thimble Keegan
Worthing BHA

Everton’s Grand Old Team song was pinched from Celtic in 1983/84. Not because there’s any of Celtic connection or anti Rangers thing ... there wasn’t. It had been sometimes sung by kids in Liverpool since the 50’s.

According to research published on toffeeweb:

“However, it must be said that my research, and the majority of the more detailed research into the fans of Everton FC, conclude that the sectarian divisions of Glasgwegian, and even to some extent Mancunian, football supporters, are in no way matched by football supporters in Liverpool.

There, in fact, is overwhelming evidence to suggest that the fan base of both clubs is non-sectarian.
Although the Irish community had a flourishing amateur football leagues by the early 20th Century, this didn’t translate into professional football. There wasn’t the emergence of a catholic club as was the case in Ulster, Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh. Both clubs in Liverpool had emerged from the Methodist New Connexion chapel team of St. Domingo’s. Although Liverpool FC was criticised in the Socialist press for not allowing a collection for striking Dublin transport workers, there is nothing in the local catholic press of the time to denote a specific sectarian attachment in the pre- war years. Of the Irish national party councillors in the city, Taggart had shares in Everton, while Austin Harford did in Liverpool. [12]

The question of why a similarly Catholic-based club, such as Glasgow Celtic, didn’t emerge in Liverpool is key to an understanding this issue. The detailed research of David and Peter Kennedy into this issue explains why this didn’t happen in Liverpool even though Liverpool had the greatest proportional immigration of Irish in the late 19nth century of any British city – in 1871, Liverpool had 15.45% of its population of Irish origin. The nearest to it was Manchester with 9%. [13]

Crucially the Kennedys have discovered that, despite the development of many Catholic football teams in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, none of them developed into an equivalent of Glasgow |Celtic. They have given two reasons for this. Firstly, none of the teams lasted or were part of an organised league. Secondly, the local Catholic hierarchy actively discouraged the development of such a team for their own political reasons.

It was the policy of the Liverpool Catholic hierarchy to integrate the Irish into British culture, whilst maintaining their Catholicism. This was due to the perceived threat to the native population of their poverty and passive support for Irish nationalism; to counter this, the hierarchy tried to cultivate respectability through constructing a network of charitable organisations. It also tried to emphasise British, rather than Irish, culture in its schools.”.

 

[Weststander]

Spot on. My dear old mate and neighbour is a lifelong Liverpool fan, born and bred, first games during the Phil Taylor era in division 2 with Jimmy Melia in the team, and was brought up a Catholic. The famous 'split family' phenomenon up there would be impossible if it were truly sectarian. That old bollocks is for the jocks.

I have noticed (from MOTD) that the Everton crowd look less scummy in recent years. Fat toothless blokes, and women with badly dyed hair screaming abuse was de rigeur only a few years ago. Now it seems to be mostly tutting.

Fat toothless blokes, and women with badly dyed hair screaming abuse, broke away to form the Chelsea North West Supporters Club. They had the perfect look.

 

[Guinness Boy]

A lot of reds in Liverpool are of Irish descent, therefore Catholic.

Evertonians tend to be Protestant.

Liverpool were founded by an Orangeman.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dangull]

Liverpool were founded by an Orangeman.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Its nothing like the Celtic v Rangers thing today though. Liverpool sing that Fields of Athenry song every time I watch a game. An irish folk song, with different lyrics admittingly.