During this international break, I decided that I would take my five-month old son up to Liverpool to show him around Anfield – something which I know he won’t understand, but will mean a great deal to me.
There will be the staple pictures taken next to the Bill Shankly statue, in front of the Paisley gates, and we will of course pay our respects to the 97. The only thing that would make the visit more special would be if it was a match day.
Everyone remembers their first trip to Anfield – how can you not? The atmosphere, the sounds of the Kop and the sea of red everywhere you look. It’s captivating still to the is day, and as a young child it stuck with me forever.
It was September 1998 when my parents took my sister and I up to the Wirral to visit my grandmother, which we did quite frequently, but that Saturday it was going to be my first trip to Anfield where the Reds were taking on Charlton Athletic. The excitement was next level for me.
Things have changed a bit since 1998. As I remember, my dad managed to park on a residential road in and around Anfield – unheard of today. A couple of local boys asked if he wanted them to look after his car during the match, which my dad politely declined, I wasn’t sure why!
I’d been on the tour of Anfield a year or two prior to this match, but this time it was different. The match day buzz was something I’d never experienced before, and I loved it. All I wanted to do, however, was to get inside and see that pitch, see the players, my heroes – Fowler, McManaman, Owen.
What made this even more special for me, was we were sat in the Kop. It’s a stand my dad had told me stories about, how it used to sway and move during the 60’s and 70’s, and how it almost felt like the ball would get sucked into the net due to the noise and fanfare it could generate. I’d only ever seen it on TV, but to be in amongst it was something special.
I’d brushed up on the lyrics to the famous anthem for months leading up to that afternoon. Gerry and the Pacemakers had been on repeat in my bedroom for weeks, one song in particular of course. I was not going to be caught out singing the wrong words or forgetting them. When it was time, my dad stood me on my seat, scarf aloft and, alongside thousands, I sang my heart out. You’ll Never Walk Alone – that day I really understood what that song meant.
When the match began,I remember every time there was a chance, everyone would stand up, meaning my poor dad would have to quickly grab me up on my chair so I could have a chance to see what was going on. This happened quite a lot because, as it happened, my first match at Anfield was a goalfest! An entertaining 3-3 draw, and perhaps whereas now I would be annoyed we dropped points to seemingly lesser opposition, as a nine-year old I was just happy to see goals.
My hero Robbie Fowler bagged two, a penalty and a slightly scruffier second, and Patrik Berger hit one from about 25 yards into the top corner leaving Charlton’s keeper Sasa Ilic no chance whatsoever. I’d witnessed my first worldie!
When the time comes and I get to take my son to his first match at Anfield, I hope that it’s as special and momentous for him as it was for me. I hope he savours every moment and that he will realise, as I did that day, just how special this football club is. Most importantly, on that day whenever it will be, let’s hope it’s a Reds win!
