Memories of the Kop.

[redvibe]

I am old enough and lucky enough to have stood on the Kop.

I was born and grew up in Jersey and I chose to support Liverpool football club because of their great heritage and because of the song You'll Never Walk Alone, which spoke to me of hope.

My oldest brother (who has dark secrets which I shall not here reveal) took me to Liverpool when I was 16 or so and we stood on the Kop to watch Liverpool v Derby County. The atmosphere was amazing. I got a cigarrette burn on my hand and was proud of it! Also, I caught the ball and threw it back. The person standing next to me remarked upon my use of a netball style throw (off the chest).:unibrow:

(Well, I am a girl...):ninja:

Anyway, I would love to hear other peoples memories of the Kop.:gossip:

[Kev]

I am old enough and lucky enough to have stood on the Kop.

I was born and grew up in Jersey and I chose to support Liverpool football club because of their great heritage and because of the song You'll Never Walk Alone, which spoke to me of hope.

My oldest brother (who has dark secrets which I shall not here reveal) took me to Liverpool when I was 16 or so and we stood on the Kop to watch Liverpool v Derby County. The atmosphere was amazing. I got a cigarrette burn on my hand and was proud of it! Also, I caught the ball and threw it back. The person standing next to me remarked upon my use of a netball style throw (off the chest).:unibrow:

(Well, I am a girl...):ninja:

Anyway, I would love to hear other peoples memories of the Kop.:gossip:

I'm young enough (lol) to remember standing on The Kop. I was a regular Kop standee for about 2 years until I got my part time job and the season ticket went :disgust:. Gutted I was but hey, I needed the cash.

Standing on the kop was great a unique experience with many characters. Funny how we always stood at the same spot week in week out.

The same 'ale house' fellas would always push to the middle late just as the match was about to kick off.

Swaying with the Kop (through no choice of my own :) ) was an experience I will never have again and will never forget.

[Waterways]

I am old enough and lucky enough to have stood on the Kop.

I was born and grew up in Jersey and I chose to support Liverpool football club because of their great heritage and because of the song You'll Never Walk Alone, which spoke to me of hope.

My oldest brother (who has dark secrets which I shall not here reveal) took me to Liverpool when I was 16 or so and we stood on the Kop to watch Liverpool v Derby County. The atmosphere was amazing. I got a cigarrette burn on my hand and was proud of it! Also, I caught the ball and threw it back. The person standing next to me remarked upon my use of a netball style throw (off the chest).:unibrow:

(Well, I am a girl...):ninja:

Anyway, I would love to hear other peoples memories of the Kop.:gossip:

I stood on the Kop a number of times - I was there as a kid in 1965 v Inter Milan. The best thing they ever did was bulldoze it. A death trap. Should have been bulldozed in the 1920-30s as all terracing should have been banned around then, when they clearly knew deaths occur on terracing periodicaly.

[victorialush]

Should have been bulldozed in the 1920-30s as all terracing should have been banned around then, when they clearly knew deaths occur on terracing periodicaly.

Wow, you are a proper little Victor Meldrew aren't you.

[Kev]

Wow, you are a proper little Victor Meldrew aren't you.

I don't believe it :unibrow:

[sweetpatooti]

Stood on the Kop in the 70s and 80s - it had a smell all of it's own:eek:

[Kev]

Stood on the Kop in the 70s and 80s - it had a smell all of it's own:eek:

lol

[A.D.Williams]

I was an Anfield Road wallah for many a season.

:celb (23):

[johnlemmon]

ahhhh yes, the KOP

anyone remember the boys Pen...

I stood there for years till i graduated to the big KOP, the real mcCoy...

it was an experience I can tell you...

Lemmo...:037:

[Fergie]

Remember the pen from 1951 to 1954 then onto the Kop seen great games from the Kop winning the 2nd division v Southampton 1962,1st division v Aresnal 1964,Inter Milan 1965,1st division v chelsea 1966, can go on to the 70st, 80st 28 thousands supporters cheering and singing the hearts out what
times they were.
Fergie:PDT_Aliboronz_24: :PDT_Aliboronz_24: :PDT_Aliboronz_24: :PDT_Aliboronz_24: :PDT_Aliboronz_24:

[johnlemmon]

hello Fergie,

for a junior member you sure have a long memory...:celb (23):

i remember it well, the boys pen, lots of hairy women in there...:PDT_Piratz_26:

do you still go to the matches , and if you do, do you sit down???

Lemmo...

[matt]

I went to the very last game on the Kop. The first team played on the Saturday, which they said was the last match for the Kop, but there was a reserve game on the following Tuesday night.
I went and paid a couple of quid just for the experience rather than the game!
There was a load of young lads there with chisels and screwdrivers and other tools, chipping away at the concrete, trying to get their own little memento. Is right though, coz after they demolished it they were charging 50 quid for a little bit of it on a wooden plate, covered with a glass dome!! :shock:

[Waterways]

Wow, you are a proper little Victor Meldrew aren't you.

Maybe I just don't like people dying for no apparent reason. Odd isn't it?

[Waterways]

Stood on the Kop in the 70s and 80s - it had a smell all of it's own:eek:

Mainly urine. The **** at times would be cascading down the steps.

[Kev]

Mainly urine. The **** at times would be cascading down the steps.

eeeeeeeeeeeewe, rolled up programmes did the job so I'm told.

[Waterways]

eeeeeeeeeeeewe, rolled up programmes did the job so I'm told.

No, rolled up half time results Echos, which were sold on the terraces. Men would walk up and down the walkways and around the pitch selling them in Anfield and GP.

[matchworks]

st:) ood there from 82 and sitting there now humour,generosity and laughter you cant beat the kop once it starts rocking.

[Kev]

Did anyone attend the Rock The Kop concert, I did :celb (23):

[johnlemmon]

"Stood on the Kop in the 70s and 80s - it had a smell all of it's own.."

it sure did...

jl...:unibrow:

[Kev]

Saturday's first home game of the season marks the 100th anniversary of Liverpool FC's Spion Kop. In the first of two special reports, Mike Chapple looks at the creation of a sporting legend.


http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/may2005/5/1/0001210C-8E19-1278-89A780BFB6FA0000.jpg



THE Afrikaans name for the battle is Spioenkop, spioen for spy or look out and kop meaning hill or outcropping. Logical then that, at the end of the 1905/6 season, the new brick and cinder banking at Anfield should be christened the Spion Kop by Liverpool Echo sports editor Ernest Edwards.

It was named in honour of the many Merseysiders who died vainly trying to take the hill against overwhelming odds during the Boer War.

If Mr Edwards were still alive to celebrate tomorrow's 100th anniversary celebrations for the Kop, he would no doubt be pleased to note that, without the benefit of foresight, his moniker had come to mean something more profound than its literal translation.

It's as if the spirit of no surrender first shown by those brave Liverpudlians in battle had become synonymous with the vociferous spirit of those who have manned it through the decades to make it the most famous football stand in the world.

This is epitomised by the Kop's anthem You'll Never Walk Alone. Sung at the climax of Roger and Hammerstein's classic movie musical Carousel, it's a song about united strength and fighting on together against all the odds.

It became Liverpool's rallying call after the song became Gerry and the Pacemakers' recordbreaking third consecutive number one hit in October, 1963.

This marked something of a watershed period in the history of the Kop.

Before then it had always been 100 concrete steps, 394 feet long, 135 feet wide and standing 50 feet high. It was a heaving seething mass of humanity ebbing and flowing like a great wave of flesh and blood against the crash barriers cheering on its home team. But they already shared this feature with a myriad number of other British football club terraces.

In the 1960s, however, with an adopted anthem, a charismatic team of exciting young stars such as Roger Hunt, Tommy Smith and Ian St John and the galvanising influence of one of the most iconic managers of them all, Bill Shankly, the terrace at last began to build its own unique and formidable identity.

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/aug2006/6/3/35820A0B-FB22-F2B0-F19E729750EC8117.jpg

Shankly's influence in all this was crucial. A true Socialist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist), he was the ultimate believer in the concept a football club had a responsibility to perform a service not to the shareholders but to the ordinary man in the street who worshipped at its gates.

Others in the game recognised this, including that wise old Shankly contemporary the late Joe Mercer.

He once said: "From the moment he arrived, there was only one way - and that was up. This endless success was mirrored in that amazing relationship with the Kop.

"When he was at Anfield he was the city of Liverpool's answer to vandalism and hooliganism, because the kids came to see Liverpool. Shankly was their man, their hero, their football god. He belongs to the Kop, he's one of them.

"If he hadn't managed Liverpool, I'm sure he would have been on the Kop dressed in red singing and chanting 'Liverpool, Liverpool'."

Kopites know that through the wind and the rain their support is always expected - and respected. They respond in kind.

Many thought with the demise of the old terraced Kop, to be replaced by seating in 1994, that the spirit of old would be wiped out. Its golden age od power has diminished, certainly - but the very nature of the seating structure was always bound to do that.

None of the fanaticism or never say die has, though - if anything, it has permeated throughout the whole ground, with Anfield Road and Main Stands now having their own little hot-spots of support.

Anyone who believed that the essence of Kop spirit had been lost only had to be in Istanbul last year at half time when the Reds were three-nil down to AC Milan in the European Champions League Final.

With victory a near impossibility, the low murmur of You'll Never Walk Alone grew to a defiant roar to lift a team whose ultimate victory will go down in footballing legend.

The Twelfth Man had scored its ultimate winning goal.

And away from home too. With a ground move possibly looming, Kopites should remember this and walk on with hope in their heart.

mikechapple@dailypost.co.uk

[Bob Kurac]

Ah. I think I'll go and sit on it this lunchtime.

[sweetpatooti]

I was there - that day in the photo - Shankly was a man of passion and integrity - he had the respect of the players, who knew he took no messing, the fans, who knew his heart and soul were with his beloved club and the rest of professional football who respected him for the master he was. They broke the mould when he was made - there will never be another.

Just as an aside - and this is family legend so could have been distorted over time or it could be ale-talk - but my great-grandfather who came from Sligo allegedly worked on building the Kop. Legend has it he fell from the roof onto the pitch but because underneath the pitch (at that time) were wicker baskets - to improve the drainage - they cushioned his fall and although he wasn't very well - he survived. As I say - don't know how true this is or whether it has been embellished over time - but it's a good tale to tell the kids!

[johnlemmon]

a great article Kev...

i have my own Kop story which will come out on the real 100 year anniversary...

which is...

Friday 1st September 1906...

Spion Kop opened and we played Stoke City....

20,000 supporters in 1906 was a massive show of local pride...

we won 1-0...

more to come on Friday...:snf (41):

Lemmo...:037:

[bobbymac]

Me and me M8 was in the Kop, there was people moving around behind us, but we took no notice. Some barsket peed on Frank's leg. hahahaha

[SteH]

Missed it by a few hours, but happy 100th birthday to the Kop! I had a season ticket there from 1986 to 1994 and think I loved it at the time. But now I'm an old sod I couldnt imagine putting up with what I had to abck then.

[Waterways]

Just as an aside - and this is family legend so could have been distorted over time or it could be ale-talk - but my great-grandfather who came from Sligo allegedly worked on building the Kop. Legend has it he fell from the roof onto the pitch but because underneath the pitch (at that time) were wicker baskets - to improve the drainage - they cushioned his fall and although he wasn't very well - he survived. As I say - don't know how true this is or whether it has been embellished over time - but it's a good tale to tell the kids!

The roof was added in the 1920s. When building it the support posts were errected first. My Dad told me his mate climbed up one in a game and sat on the top of the post all the game - nice view.

So, yours family story may be a bit exagerated, or maybe the dates are wrong.

[Waterways]

a great article Kev...

i have my own Kop story which will come out on the real 100 year anniversary...

which is...

Friday 1st September 1906...

Spion Kop opened and we played Stoke City....

20,000 supporters in 1906 was a massive show of local pride...

we won 1-0...

more to come on Friday...:snf (41):

Lemmo...:037:

20,000 in 1906 with the new Kop wasn't much at all. The Kop could hold about 25,000 then. When Everton left Anfield 14 years before the capacity was 20,000.

[Waterways]

Missed it by a few hours, but happy 100th birthday to the Kop! I had a season ticket there from 1986 to 1994 and think I loved it at the time. But now I'm an old sod I couldnt imagine putting up with what I had to abck then.

It was a death trap. How there were not major fatalities in that place I don't know. 1000s were hurt in 1966 with the vist of Cologne. That sort of terracing should have been banned in 1946 when there were deaths at Bolton. Every large terrace was a time bomb waiting to explode. Leppings Lane was only newish, built for the 1966 world cup, and a fraction of the size of the Kop.

[Kev]

My Uncle fainted inside the old Kop and had to be lifted up and over the heads of supporters down to pitchside.

[sweetpatooti]

The roof was added in the 1920s. When building it the support posts were errected first. My Dad told me his mate climbed up one in a game and sat on the top of the post all the game - nice view.

So, yours family story may be a bit exagerated, or maybe the dates are wrong.

probably both knowing our lot!!!

[Howie]

http://www.liverweb.org.uk/assets/images/KOP.JPG

The Kop at Anfield dates back to 1905-06. At the end of that season which saw Liverpool lift the second of their league championships the directors at the club decided to reward the loyalty of the fans by building a new brick and cinder banking at the Walton Breck road end of the ground. It was christened as the Spion Kop by Ernest Jones in memory of the many scousers who died in battle over a hill in South Africa by the same name during the Boer War.

In 1928 The Kop was altered to terracing and a massive roof added to protect the thousands of fans who gathered to watch their beloved team play.

More (http://www.liverweb.org.uk/kop.htm)...

[Waterways]

The Kop at Anfield dates back to 1905-06. At the end of that season which saw Liverpool lift the second of their league championships the directors at the club decided to reward the loyalty of the fans by building a new brick and cinder banking at the Walton Breck road end of the ground. It was christened as the Spion Kop by Ernest Jones in memory of the many scousers who died in battle over a hill in South Africa by the same name during the Boer War.

In 1928 The Kop was altered to terracing and a massive roof added to protect the thousands of fans who gathered to watch their beloved team play.


The name Spion Kop came from Jones who reported on the Bore War and Sion Kop. The slanted side and flat top of the open terrace was similar to Spion Kop. He mentioend it in a match report, in I think the Liverpool Mercury. The name caught on as a nickname and then the club officially called it the Kop.

Below when Everton occupied Anfield. The Liverpool boundary runs through the Kop end (although not called the Kop then). Everton and Liverpool played outside the city boundary, as Anfield and Walton were incorporated into the city in 1895 - Liverpool FC occupied Anfield from 1892.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9160/anfieldxx4.jpg

[shytalk]

Interesting bit of history WW.

[Bunnyman]

I remember Andrei Kanchelskis silencing the Kop (even further) with a pinpoint header. :)

[johnlemmon]

As usual Kev, great information...

what a place the Kop is and was, it holds many memories for me and lots of people... what a great place to meet up with your mates on a Saturday afternoon and of theose cold chilly European Evenings...

St Ettienne was just an incredible night...

Lemmo...:PDT_Piratz_26:

[johnlemmon]

wateways, what a great piece of historic information...

thanks mate I am studying it as we speak...

Lemmo...:gossip: :037:

[johnlemmon]

don't be sad,
don't be lost,
don't be unhappy,
it's not worth the cost.
you are a redman,
it's clear for all to see,
you write some great posts here,
most are pure quality.
you tell your tales of LFC,
you tell your tales of old,
you tell us how life really was,,
stood on the kop, some nights, f-f-f-free-e-ezing c-c-cold...

so come on red fan, not abc, or bbc,
you keep up your good work,
cos being on here does really count,
towards your time here on earth.

Lemmo.

[johnlemmon]

:celb (6):

kop rules ok

lemmo...:celb (23): :snf (41): :037:

[johnlemmon]

we only sing when we're losing...

sing when we're losing

we only sing when we're losing

lemmo...:sadsmilie::disgust:

[mottman]

Dynamo Dresden - The Liverpool of East Germany.

Dynamo Dresden - the Liverpool of East Germany.

Dynamo Dresden 0 V Liverpool 0 - UEFA Cup (Quarter – final) 1st leg - 3rd March 1976.

“From the home leg Dynamo Dresden programme dated 17th March 1976, written by Ken Addison”

The 73 Liverpool supporters who flew on the “Anfield Special” to Dresden are back on home ground and, we hope, ready to cheer our team on tonight. But on their behalf, I’m sure a vote of thanks is due to everyone – not least the aircrew and couriers – who did so much to ensure that the trip was memorable and enjoyable.

There were problems - the East German Interflug plane which had left Berlin at 6.15 on the Tuesday morning arrived to find Liverpool shrouded in fog, and there was a time when we thought we would have to take the fans through to Manchester, for take off. But after circling around for nearly an hour, the plane got down, and the party flew out not too much behind schedule.

Before the “Anfield Special” departed, I went aboard the plane and presented the crew with some gifts, and the five members were delighted to receive these tokens. Fair exchange is no robbery . . . as the fans found, when they had an in-flight meal – and free beer.

On arrival at Dresden, coaches sped them to the hotel for lunch (which had not been included in the original itinerary), then there was a sight – seeing tour of the City, and the fans really enjoyed that trip, from all accounts.

They also appreciated greatly the friendly help from the two couriers and on their behalf I have written to one of them, Christa Berthold, to thank her and the other courier for their courtesy and assistance.

On the way back after the game, there was a hold – up when a wagon and a car were involved in an accident, and one of our coaches received a “nudge”. But within five minutes, the police were on the spot and they had a replacement coach there straight away, to take our supporters on to the airport. So there was no delay, and the plane touched down at Speke at 11.30 on the Wednesday night, as scheduled.

To our fans, we say: glad you enjoyed the trip. To the aircrew and couriers: thanks for the smooth service - incidentally, the plane turned round from Speke and went straight through to Berlin for duty the following day.

************************************************** **********

This is what really happened?

This was my first “Liverpool FC organised” overnight foreign trip following the Tricky Reds, it was 27 years ago when I was 19, thin, had a full head of black hair, and my own teeth.

This was Liverpool’s 12 successive season in European competition. Our European campaign had started in September with a difficult away game to Hibernian in Edinburgh, we had travelled up “independently” to Edinburgh to watch the reds get beat 1.0, the return game at Anfield saw us comfortably win 3.1. Our next opponents were Real Sociedad away in the October of 1975, we didn’t go to the away game the Redmen won 3.1 away and 6.0 at Anfield.

In November / December, the Anfielders played Slask Wroclaw, this resulted in an overall aggregate score of 5.1 for us, again we didn’t go to the away game only the home match. We were safely through to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup “happy days” the draw was made and we had been paired with Dynamo Dresden away on 3rd March 1976, with the return game on 17th April. The first game away was to be our 76th game in European competition.

U.E.F.A. Cup – The last eight.

Dynamo Dresden V Liverpool
F.C. Bruges V A.C.Milan
Barcelona V Levski Spartak Sofia
S.V.Hamburg V Stal Mielec

Liverpool v Dynamo Dresden 0 (0) - 0 (0)

Venue: Rudolf Harbig Stadion - Attendance: 33000
Liverpool Line Up:
Clemence, Raymond
Neal, Phillip
Smith, Thomas
Thompson, Phillip
Kennedy, Raymond
Hughes, Emlyn
Keegan, Kevin
Case, Jimmy
Heighway, Steven
Fairclough, David
Callaghan, Ian
Hall, Brian

Dynamo Dresden Line Up:
Boden
Ganzera
K.Müller
M.Müller
Schmuck
Häfner
Schade
Riedel
Kotte
Sachse (76.Richter)
Heidler

One night whilst having a couple of bevies with my mates, it was suggested that we should consider going to the away game in Dresden in East Germany. Initially, most of them said “Yes, ok, I’m up for it”, we eagerly awaited details of the travel arrangements. Once they were available most of them dropped out of the trip, it was an awful lot of money? We ended up with three of us prepared for the journey and an experience of a lifetime.

At that time, I was earning something like £ 18.00 a week the cost of the travel package to Dresden was around the £100.00 mark. I worked as much (mid-week) overtime as possible, got money for Christmas presents etc and soon managed to collect enough to afford the trip. We where really lucky at that time because one of my other mates brothers, used to travel to the away games by car, this enabled us to still go to most away’s on the cheap.

One night my Dad pulled me aside gave me £ 50.00 towards the cost for Dresden, he said “Don’t tell your Mum or any of the others, I had a good win on the horses and want you to have this.” I told him I had already sorted the money side of things out he said “keep it lad, put it towards any of the away games you have planned.” Superb, the old fella always helped me out when money for the games was a bit tight.

We booked our plane – match tickets, hotel accommodation etc with Town’s travel in Liverpool City centre, we also had to go to Anfield to let them know we had booked for the game. No computers in them days, and for some reason we had to take a copy of the booking slip from Town’s travel to Liverpool FC.

We were already members of the “Anfield Special” club, as we tried our best to travel to nearly all the league / Cup away games in them days (Southern based mid-week away games were a pain to get too and home from). January and February were terrible months, West Ham away in the FA Cup (2.0 to the Reds), Derby County away in the FA Cup (lost 1.0) and West Ham away in the league (won 4.0). All via the “Anfield Special” club because our mates older brother “didn’t fancy going” to these games? Man united away (car) and Derby County away (coach) were also attended. We only missed a mid-week 1.0 win away at Arsenal, we were gutted.

Travelling to East Germany was a journey into the unknown, we couldn’t find anyone who had travelled last time we played there in 1973. We were told that we could only take £ 25.00 out of the UK, and that owing to political reasons, we would not be allowed to take any books, magazines, newspapers etc into Dresden.

Anyhow, we had managed to beg, steal or borrow enough money to sort out the travel costs and we had
£ 25.00 spending money each. Bags packed with new or best clobber, it was time for the off.

We made our way to Anfield for around 8.00 – 8.30 in the morning of Tuesday 2nd March (Shrove Tuesday) boarded our coaches and were taken to Speke Airport. Upon arrival, we were told we might have to go to Manchester as it was too foggy for the plane to land. Most of the 73 Liverpool supporters complained that we didn’t want to go via Manchester, but our complaints fell on deaf ears.

Eventually, we boarded the plane and wizzed off from Liverpool to Dresden, our courier was Christa Berthold, and she was a stunner, long blonde hair and a figure to break your heart. As we approached Dresden airport, Christa stood up and asked us to collect all our daily papers and put them in a bin bag, to be deposed of safely, hmm I thought hope its not going to be dead strict over there? A couple of lads rolled up their daily newspapers and put them in their socks, under their kecks.

We got off the plane and were greeted by two lines of heavily armed East German soldiers, a couple of the lads made funny remarks to them, and goose-stepped along the airport reception area, not one of the soldiers, or the Liverpool tour official’s laughed.

We soon made our way to the checkout desk and were escorted onto coaches by the soldiers. As we travelled through Dresden, it was VERY noticeable that something “special” was going on. Christa explained that Shrove Tuesday was a huge celebration in East Germany and that it was Carnival time (Rosa Montag), and that the majority of people wore fancy dress costumes to help celebrate the occasion.

We reached the Newa hotel in the middle of Dresden, we booked in and unpacked our gear in our hotel rooms in a matter of minutes and headed downstairs. (I shared a room with my mate Ian Nunney from Thornton. Ian was one of my best mates (and still is), and he would travel “anywhere” to watch the Reds. Another lad was Lee he lived in Warbreck Moor in Aintree, sadly Ian no longer goes to the matches and we lost contact with Lee some years ago.

Anyway, the time in East Germany was 2 hours ahead of UK time, so it was still afternoon, and we were thirsty? We were told that the only place we could exchange £’s into Deutchmarks was at the Hotel reception, so we changed a £5.00 note for about 7 Deutchmarks and headed for the hotel bar.

We were also told NOT to walk about Dresden alone as “things” may occur, and that it would be best if we stayed in the Hotel and enjoyed ourselves. Part of the deal included a sight seeing tour of Dresden, Christa was going around telling everyone to meet up in the hotel lobby as two coaches had been laid on for us. Being in our late teens we decided this was a definite 100% “no-goer” for us, we were soon joined by many others who wanted to stay and sample the refreshments behind the hotel bar. Christa looked across to us, somewhat bemused as we restarted our assault on the bar. No body ever knew the name of the other courier; she was a grumpy soul who kept herself to herself.

Refreshed, it was time to rebel and go outside, we left our copies of the Daily Mirror etc at the Hotel Bar. About eight of us headed out, all decked in red and white, we walked through a huge square and reached a shopping complex, we looked at the prices of goods in the shop windows (camera’s, televisions etc) and were amazed how cheap they were. The square had statues of famous East Germans and of course influential communist figureheads, armed soldiers goose-stepped along each side of the square, we soon joined in and goose-stepped our way in single line to the sanctuary of a bierkeller.

Eventually we found a bierkeller it was massive, apprehensively we walked in and joined a queue, stony faced people dressed in drab clothing looking at us. We waited in line and ordered our lagers, these were served in huge heavy stein glasses. We sat down at one end of a long line of tables and surveyed the situation, one of the lads had ordered some food a waitress turned up with what looked like sausage and mash, the meal was huge, and the sausage was about 12” long and looked very tasty.

Hunger pains got the better of us pretty soon all of us had one of these sausage and mash mountains in front of us. The sausage really did look superb, very appetising, one bite soon put paid to our preconceived presumptions, they were horrible full of spices and things that I had never tasted before or since that day. One by one the sausages where tasted and then discarded by they’re hungry and disappointed recipients. The price of the meals and ale was incredibly cheap, something like 8 p for a stein of larger and 12 p for the meal, but of course in pfennings?

As the lager flowed, a couple of lads wearing Dresden scarves approached us, we invited them to sit down and ordered some lagers for them. They turned out to be cracking blokes, up for a laugh and joke and not a hint of hostility from them. They spoke quite good English and we had no problem understanding them, we had to repeat ourselves a number of times, they couldn’t understand Scouse. The lads sat in awe of us, and we asked why? They explained that not many away supporters from
non–communist countries ever visit Dresden and we where the first English club to bring so many supporters with us.

After many many ales, around 7.00 that night, the gorgeous Christa suddenly appeared looking a bit flustered and said that we should be back at the hotel as a “special” meal had been laid on and everyone was waiting for us. Begrudgingly, we agreed to return to the hotel and walked back with our Dresden mates, purposely behind Christa, all of us lusting after Christa’s body.

The hotel people had no idea who was who, so we sat the Dresden lads down and we all enjoyed a free meal and a few free ales. It was noticeable that there were more than 73 Liverpool supporters in the hotel now, around 40 Liverpudlians had driven by car to Dresden, I spoke to a number of them, most were from Liverpool, Kirkby, Huyton and Bootle. Most of them looked knackered after such long car journey’s, some managed to last until 11.00 that night, but not many lasted after that.

The Liverpool Supporters Club based in London had also turned up with around 100 fellow reds, they had booked their own charter plane independently of the Club, and booked accommodation in the same hotel. We had a distinct feeling that the Liverpool officials who organised our trip, weren’t keen for the “independent” supporters to mix with us, so we made sure that we mixed with them, anyone who had travelled that far for a match was alright in my book.

The London lads were about 33% split between scousers, exiled scousers and southern based supporters, we had a cracking time with them, as most of them also enjoyed a good bevy and a laugh. For years and years afterwards every now and then you would recognise some of them at other matches.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, back to the bar for more ale. We had a few bob still left from our 7 Deuctmarks, one of the older blokes from London then approached us and whilst we supped with him, he said he had changed his “allowed” £ 25.00 with a tout outside for around 3 times the going rate. Happy days, quick as a starving fox after a big plumb rabbit, we legged it up to our room, got our £’s and went outside.

Obviously no-one is going to ask are you a tout? We must have stood out like sore thumb’s, minutes after going outside this bloke says something like “Hello, are you from Liverpool” a quick scan around and retort “Yes mate we are”. Very quickly the deal is done, delighted to have exchanged £ 20.00 for around £ 60.00 in Deuctmarks time to pop back into the bar to share our fortunes with the rest of the lads.

Happy days indeed, within minutes, we had told everyone of the bloke outside, soon all the Reds fans had more cash in their pockets than before they left home. As the bevvies flowed so did the songs, soon we had everyone singing their heads off, our East German friends as eager as any mad Liverpudlian.

After a while one of the lads came in with a dirty big grin on his face and said “come and look at this outside”, we eagerly followed him out to be met by around 100 Dresden supporters. What was he laughing his head off for? Word had got out in Dresden that Liverpool Football Club where staying at the hotel and they thought we were Liverpool players. Within minutes we had all signed their autograph books etc, I think I was David Fairclough. It was really humbling to see how much respect “us” Liverpool players received from the Germans.

Our hotel was one of three buildings, each separated by a public walkway. As I said before it was carnival time in Dresden our carnival had not really started yet. As the night progressed, groups of Liverpool fans started drifting off to experience the nightlife in Dresden. About eight of us agreed to head off in a different direction and soon we found a bierkeller that was chocka block full of drunken Dresdenites, all togged up in fancy dress costumes.

The ale flowed as we tried our best to reach and in some cases surpass the same level of drunkenness that the locals enjoyed. The East German people we talked too they said that hated living in East Germany because they had no freedom of speech and had few civil liberties. A few of the older ones didn’t like the English because Dresden had been heavily bombed during World War 2. What could we say, just looked apologetic and say nowt. It was not the time or place to talk about the War?

One of the main objections was that they had to take an identity pass with them everywhere they went, and could be asked to produce verification of who they were at anytime and by any of the many various Government people. We were told that it was common for people to hear a knock on the front door (day or night-time) and Government officials would demand immediate entrance into their homes, to check the identities of the people in the house.

They couldn’t leave any of the eastern block countries, until they were 60 and of course had to have “special” dispensation from the Government. They where allowed to visit other “Communist” countries such as Bulgaria and Yugoslavia etc, Yugoslavia was the popular country to visit for family holidays with the East Germans.

Anyway, after much ale we asked the locals about the nightlife in Dresden, surprisingly we were told about a number of nightclubs on the other side of Town, just past our hotel. We set off for a look, as usual goose-stepping our way side by side, but none of us ever reached any of the nightclubs.

Whilst marching past our hotel, someone noticed that there was a nightclub under the second hotel complex next to ours, good idea? Not too far to stagger home. The bloke on the door somehow knew we were staying next door and willingly invited us in. We went straight to the bar to get the ale in for our mob, while the rest found two empty tables and loads of chairs for us to pipe what was going on in the club.

The club was near enough full of Dresdenites, all dressed up in fancy dress most of them up on the dance floor giving it loads to English pop songs. A few fellow reds had also managed to get in, they soon joined in with us, and the real carnival was about to begin?

One of the lads asked a passing waiter “Hey lad - what time does the bar close mate” the best possible reply came from our new found Dresden mate “Very late, maybe four or five in the morning” maybe later…… We all looked at each other in stunned amazement, all with whopping big dirty grins on our faces, we had hit the JACKPOT!

After copious amounts of German ale, it was party time. To begin with a couple of the lads got a couple of German birds up to dance, one by one we got up on the dance floor with local girls, some even got up with women old enough to be their Mums and or even Grans. Our tables were empty apart from 100’s of empty stein glasses and a number of thirst quenchers saved for later. In time we all ended up wearing fancy dress hats, covered in streamers and having the time of our lives.

Stupid things like you would never do at home suddenly became the craze, the conga was amongst one of the funniest things that springs to mind. We had everyone up, and I mean everyone, doormen, waiters, the whole lot, all in one huge line, everyone bouncing up and down having a laugh.

Another cracker was when the DJ put on a song by ABBA, not my cup of tea but the Germans loved it. They all got up to dance so did we, fortunately the next song was by Status Quo so we kept everyone up on the dance floor, and taught them how to headbang. It was hilarious watching middle aged people giving it loads tears ran down our faces as we encouraged them to join in.

As time passed the laughs increased as some of our lads somehow managed to find and dress up in fancy dress costumes, “Have you seen Lee, its his round next, yes there he is dressed up as a bloody gorilla”
You could tell it was Lee, because the gorilla had his Liverpool scarf around his neck and had a pair of Gola trainee’s on..

As the night progressed the slowies got played, I got up with few birds and incredibly I copped off with a cracking girl in her mid twenties Anette, we sat down in a quiet section of the room and enjoyed each others company. As time passed I smuggled her into our hotel, and a “special” bond between East – West was consummated. We exchanged addresses, and once back in Liverpool continued to write to each other for many months afterwards. I never told my girl friend back in Liverpool about my relationship.

I eventually went to bed to sleep, around 4.00 in the morning and was up around 8.00 with a dirty big grin on my face, word soon got out that a coallition had taken place. I said nothing, just grinned, a ladies honour was at stake? (After all these years I think its ok to tell the truth now).

Anyway, after feeding our faces we went to for a walk to clear our heads and to have a mosey around. Whilst walking across the huge square (again) Dave from Speke climbed up a statue of Lenin and put a red and white scarf around Lenin’s neck, now he was a true red. Dave and his mate Philly were real nutcases, daft, and up for a laugh, Dave had this three quarter leather coat on, he rolled his kecks up above his knee’s, fastened his coat so it looked like he had nothing on underneath. The looks he got from the passing Dresdenites were priceless. On one occasion a party of school children were walking along in a line, and Dave pretended to flash at the teacher, she laughed her head off, once she realised he had clothes on underneath, she quickly composed herself and hurried the kids along out the way.

As the day progressed, we ended back at the bierkeller, the German’s had by now sussed out who was English and soon approached many of us, asking to buy “Wrangler” jeans, and indeed any “Western” clothes. Many “deals” were done that day, I sold my leather jacket for something like £30.00, and it only cost me £18.00?

Ian by this time had decided to join in with a few Liverpool lads for a game of five aside in the main square, this very soon turned into a dozen Liverpudlians against a dozen Dresdenites. A crowd of around 100 people gathered to watch this fiasco, towards the end of the game it was a dozen of our lads against 50 odd Dresdenites. The solders had had enough they raised there guns and threatened to arrest any of the Dresden people if they didn’t move away. They quickly dispersed?

The soldiers rounded up the dozen Liverpool supporters and frog marched them to our hotel, each of the lads were “fined” 7 Deuctmarks and told not to do it again. The Liverpool tour officials were not impressed with us, yet again!

Fancy being frog marched to the hotel and being fined for having a game of football? We followed behind the “criminals” to our hotel and we stood stony faced in “mock seriousness” as the LFC tour organisers expressed their thoughts on this disgraceful behaviour.

All the lads had a whip round for the offenders, this was appreciated and was soon exchanged for beer for all. After a few bevies, we decided that because of the attitude by the German authorities we should go out and start another game of football but with more of us. Christa and the LFC tour organisers pleaded with us and eventually persuaded us not to do so, the other courier stood po faced and was definitely not amused. Someone mentioned a game of rugby would be a good laugh, we left the hotel for a walkabout on the pretence of looking for a rugby ball, but we went for a few more beers and some food.

We returned to the hotel once again and packed our bags etc. looking out of our window all you could see were hundreds and hundreds of Dynamo Dresden supporters all bedecked in yellow and black. Some had dirty big yellow and black flags held very high in the air, it looked superb.

We where asked to vacate our hotel rooms by teatime, and leave our bags in secure room the hotel, no problem. In the hotel corridors, where fridge’s full of mineral water and fruit juices etc, a number of us emptied the fridge’s out and passed the bottles to the many German people outside the hotel. Soon hair dryers, towels, soap etc were passed onto our Dresden colleagues. The hotel people didn’t have a clue?

We left the hotel and were mobbed yet again by Dresden supporters each wanting our autograph’s or to swap scarves (now I knew how Kevin Keegan must have felt like) eventually we managed to scramble onto our coach as the Dresden supporters chanted “LIV-ER-POOL, LIV-ER-POOL” over and over again.

Once inside the ground, we made our way up to the terraces, we were surprised to find that the Liverpool section had a ring of armed guards around us, properly to protect us from more autograph hunters. As usual a fine rendition of “You’ll never walk alone” boomed out from the travelling kopites, with a healthy number of anti – Man U songs thrown in for good measure (not sick ones). This didn’t go down too well with the Liverpool tour officials, words were said – they were not amused, so we all kept on with the
anti – Man U songs for quite some while.

The ground itself was like a bowl, surrounded by trees everyone was standing apart from a very little stand behind us, which could only hold on more than 1,000 supporters. The attendance that night was 33,000, it didn’t seem that big, but that’s what is down in the return programme at Anfield?

The game itself was a very tight affair indeed, Dresden where the top team in East Germany and soon had the Tricky Reds on the back foot, as Liverpool soaked up the pressure and tried to silence the home crowd. Ray Kennedy was alleged to have brought down a Dresden player and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped the Dresden number 10 Kotte, he smashed the ball to Ray Clemence’s right, right in the bottom corner? Somehow Ray Clemence managed to get his fingertips to the ball, and saved the penalty, the ground erupted as the German’s sighed in disbelief and we went up roaring our heads off. Possibly Ray’s best ever save?

A small scuffle broke out in the Dresden section next to us, we were told it was some anti – Government movement trying to disrupt the match. Some armed soldiers moved in amongst them and the mob dispersed. We started singing “Are you United in disguise” pointing at them, the humour was lost on them?

As the final whistle blew, we went ape, a 0.0 draw, a superb result, all set up for a cracking return game at Anfield. The Liverpool players walked right up to us and acknowledged our support, even Bob Paisley stopped and clapped us, we felt dead proud?

We had to wait behind for 10 – 15 minutes as the soldiers ensured that our departure from the ground was clear and safe. As we boarded our coaches a number of Dresden supporters broke through our armed escort and exchanged scarf’s, badges with fellow Reds. I gave a Liverpool pin badge in exchange for a Dresden pin badge I still have the badge as a memento to a very special time in my life.

After the game, we headed back to our hotel to collect our luggage and to load up the coach. Outside the hotel I met Anette for the very last time, she was wearing the Liverpool scarf I had given her the night before. She gave me a dirty big hug, whispered something “special” in my ear, we kissed then reluctantly left each other.

We passed out most of our Deutchmarks and Pfennings to the Dresden supporters gathered yet again outside our hotel, we gave our hosts in the hotel a couple of bob for their fine service in keeping us fed and our throats well lubricated, we didn’t need the money, they did?

The coach trip to the Airport seemed to take an age and a half, our coach was not involved in the nudge as mentioned above, our coach driver continued straight to the Airport. We gathered together in the Airport lounge, once the other coach arrived, we all put the last of our Deutchmarks and Pfennings into a kitty and we all had one last beer in Dresden.

The Liverpool players, management and directors arrived soon after, the players were allowed a quick drink with us, before being whisked away. Somewhere I still have two Dresden programmes, one signed by all the Liverpool players and Bob, the other unsigned.

The plane trip home was very surprisingly very high spirited, as everyone exchanged stories of the chaos and merriment that we had all contributed too. Christina thanked us for sharing our (in her words) unique sense of humour and zest for life with her, she said she had never experienced “anything” like “us” and said “we would be welcome back with open arms anytime”.

We went through the usual booking in procedures at Speke Airport, met up the foyer and were told that we had to make our own way home (no coaches to drop us off at Anfield?) we said our goodbyes and managed to get a taxi home. We had very little English money on us, and had to stop off at Lee’s to borrow some cash from his Dad, this was repaid at the next home game.

Next day, the family asked what it was like in Dresden, “O” a bit quiet not like around here. My Dad came home from work and asked, I told him it was superb and most of the above. He saw the glint in my eyes and the grin on my face and I sensed that he had an idea of what we had been up to.

Despite being “told” not to venture out of our hotel, I can honestly say that the majority of the Dresden people we met were superb, a credit to their City and indeed football club.

Our next game after Dresden away was Middlesborough at Anfield, the following Saturday. We got beat 2.0 some of the lads moaned on the way home, I didn’t I had the time of my life. A once in a lifetime opportunity that I will never forget.

The return leg at Anfield was again a very tight affair played in front of an expectant nighttime crowd of 39,300 with the Tricky Reds eventually winning 2.1. Kevin Keegan and Jimmy Case scoring for us, with Gert Hedler scoring late on for Dresden, despite a late onslaught by Dynamo Dresden we managed to progress to the semi Finals.

Liverpool v Dynamo Dresden 2 (1) - 1 (0)

Venue: Anfield Attendance: 39,300

Liverpool Line Up:
Clemence, Raymond
Neal, Phillip
Smith, Thomas
Thompson, Phillip
Kennedy, Raymond
Hughes, Emlyn
Keegan, Kevin
Case, Jimmy
Heighway, Steven
Toshack, John
Callaghan, Ian
Fairclough, David

Dynamo Dresden line up

Boden,
Ganzera,
K.Müller,
M.Müller,
Weber,
Schmuck,
Häfner,
Kreische,
Riedel,
Kotte,
Heidler

Aggregate Score: 2 - 1
Scorer(s):
Case, Jimmy (24)
Keegan, Kevin (47)
Hedler Gert (63)

After seeing off Dynamo Dresden (the Liverpool of East Germany) UEFA handed us a semi–final draw against another easy opponent, the giants of world football BARCELONA.

Dynamo Dresden where formed in 1952 and began concentrating on football alone in 1966, they finished 4th in their first season in 1967, sank to 13th place and relegation a year late, then regained top-flight status when they emerged as champions of their division in 1969. In 1970, they finished third, and in 1971 they won both the championship and the national cup competition. When we meet them in 1973, they were going for the double again, and they did indeed finish as champions of their league, although they had to concede second best to us in the UEFA cup (5.1). In 1974 and 75, they finished 3rd in their league, and reached the national cup final.

So what happened to Dynamo Dresden?
When the Berlin wall was demolished in 1989 and east met west. The reunification of Germany took place and the German Football Association wanted to reorganise the Bundesliga. They “demanded” that Dynamo Dresden change their name to “Dresden” as they felt that the title “Dynamo” was “political” and that it referred to their communist past.

The Saxony people are very proud of their teams football heritage (and rightly so), yet despite various sanctions imposed on them by the German Football Association they insisted that they remain as Dynamo Dresden. The German FA tried every trick in the book, but they could not break the spirit and enthusiasm of the Dynamo Dresden management and supporters. Despite the discrimination of the German FA, Dynamo Dresden continued to fight on some notable success’s being the elimination of Bayer Leverkusen and Bayen Munich in the DFB Pokal Cup.

The darkest moment came in 1995 when the German FA would not grant Dynamo Dresden a license to play in the Bundesliga, Dynamo Dresden were forced to play in the German third division overnight? Worse was still to come, the players left the club.

In season 1999/2000, things got even worse, the German FA reorganised the lower leagues, which now included division four. Dynamo Dresden needed to finish 7th to retain third division status, unfortunately they finished 8th and were relegated to division four.

With much grit, determination and a unwavering will to succeed, Dynamo Dresden regrouped and won promotion to division three, the deciding match being against the second team of Hertha BSC Berlin. A 1.0 home victory in Dresden was followed by a tense 0.0 draw in Berlin, the 12,000 Dynamo Dresden supporters who made the trip to Berlin celebrated their biggest party for years.

This season, Dynamo Dresden are currently fighting to reach a 2nd place in division three, if they can sustain the challenge and finish 2nd promotion to division two would be achieved.

I would like to congratulate the people who stayed loyal to Dynamo Dresden during the bad times, despite awful discrimination from the German Football Association. You are true football supporters who retained your pride and dignity and never lost sight of who you are. One day I hope that you gain promotion to the Bundesliga premier league, win the championship, then get drawn against Liverpool FC in the champions league.

Finally, here is a thread written by Rushian (Steve) which emphasises the importance of teams just like Dynamo Dresden.

Where have you gone Dynamo Dresden?

The draw for the second group phase of the Champions League took place last November. Liverpool were in the big time again apparently (recent performances suggest we'd do anything to dispel that myth). We get to play the likes of Barca and Roma. Yipee.

And who will we play next season and the season after and the season after (if we manage to keep on qualifying for the We-might-be-Champions League)? Barca and Roma. Or maybe Porto and Bayern. Or Porto and Barca. Or maybe Roma and Bayern again.

This is one of major problems with the Champions League. It has so many fail-safe measures that the "big" clubs always progress. By big clubs I of course mean those lucky enough to have found themselves on TV's latest inflated money-go-round. If you come from a smaller country you don't even get an invite to the feast.

Sorry but I don't buy into the hype. These mini-leagues drag on too long with too many boring or meaningless games. Give me the excitement of knock out football over two legs. Can there be a Liverpool fan who didn't love last seasons UEFA Cup run? We played 7 teams from 6 countries in 7 different
countries. It was a fantastic experience; the culture, the food, the drink, the football! Great times were had in those cities mixing with the opposition fans and singing our heads off with fellow reds.

Now we are in the Champions League and once you're in the lucrative pay outs ensure almost year-on-year participation. The only danger is over-stretching yourselves financially like Chelsea, Lazio and Fiorentina. Will we ever again play those teams with exotic sounding names? Will we ever have to pour over the AA's European Road Map to find out where the hell the opposition even are? Will some rudimentary knowledge of the cyrillic alphabet to successfully order "Erotic Sushi" in Kiev ever seem as vital?

The G14 (of which LFC were a founding member when it was but a toddler called the G5) want to restructure European football to their liking so only the big clubs survive and the big clubs get the money. They want a safety net. They want a safety net for the safety net. UEFA feel almost obliged to tag along.
What these teams forget is a league, a football structure, the whole basis of the professional game itself, is only as strong as its weakest member. If the national leagues wither away the whole game suffers - terminal decline will kick in.

Along these lines we have the recent suggestion that the UEFA Cup should be remodelled to form a Champions League Division 2. The maxim "if it ain't broke don't fix it" should apply but David O'Leary was there with his puncture repair kit before Leeds had even played a game this season. We then
get Ipswich, who lest we forget last ventured abroad when flares were common both on and off the pitch, complaining about the uncertain nature of the knock-out format of the UEFA Cup. Sorry Mr Sheepshanks but if you're worried about the uncertain nature of the format it is wise to try winning the games.

We keep hearing about the shareholders, and the bottom line, and costing-in of the income from these competitions for the business plans. The product must be right for the consumer.

Whatever happened to the integrity of the sport? It's got lost in the PR speak and the glossy brochures. The clubs will soon find that without this basic integrity the fans will start to drift away. The initial signs are already there with falling attendances and viewing figures for the fatted calf that is the Champions League. I'll support us all the way in any competition and as passionately as the next fan but I think it's time to shout long and loud "UEFA give us back our competitions".

With all this in mind (and with profuse apologies to Paul Simon) I offer you my homage to the UEFA Cup:

And here's to you, Slovan Liberec.
Liverpool loves you more than you will know (wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please Torpedo Moscow.
Liverpool holds a place for those we play, (Hey, hey, hey, . . . hey, hey, hey)

We'd like to know CSKA or even Feyenoord.
We'd like to help them drink the night away.
Look around and all you'd see were banners made of red.
The famous Kopites singing off their heads.

And here's to you Girondins Bordeaux.
Bottles of red just a pound a throw (wo wo wo)
God bless you, please Zurich Grasshoppers.
Expensive but the girls are worth the pay, (Hey, hey, hey, . .hey, hey, hey)

Play it in a country east where no one ever goes.
Play it at Dukla Prague's little ground.
Skonta Riga, Copenhagen, Honved or Liege.
Those teams now never come around

Allez allez les vertes St Etienne,
Moenchengladbach, Bruges we so miss you (you hoo hoo)
Where are you now Polands' Widzew Lodz.
It's teams like you we really want to play. (Allez Allez Allez Allez)

Sitting on the sofa on a Friday afternoon.
Watching the Champions League draw come on through
Barca, Porto, Bayern, Mancs, the same teams once again
Ev'ry way you look at it, the fans still lose.

Where have you gone, Dynamo Dresden?
A Kopite turns his jaded eyes to you. (you hoo hoo)
What's that you say, Lennart Johannson.
UEFA have swept the likes of Dresden away? (Please don't say, please don't say).


Dynamo Dresden - the Liverpool of East Germany we salute you.

[ChrisGeorge]

Hello Mottman

Many thanks for setting down your recollections of your trip to Dresden and its aftermath. Great stuff, mate.

Chris

[marie]

Touche!!

[mottman]

The Spion Kop’s last stand

30th April 1994 will always be a date etched deep into the hearts and memories of every Liverpudlian, this article is dedicated to the memories and stories that made the Spion Kop the most famous terrace in the World.

We all have our tales to tell our yarns from days gone by. In acknowledgement of 10 years to the day that we lost our soul, our identity as a people, here is my story about the Kop’s last stand.

Why the Spion Kop?

The Spion Kop at Anfield dates back to 1905-06. At the end of that season, which saw Liverpool lift the second of our 18 league championships, the directors at the club decided to reward the loyalty of the fans by building a new brick and cinder banking at the Walton Breck Road end of the ground. It was christened as the Spion Kop by Ernest Edwards of The Echo in memory of the many scousers who died in battle over a hill in South Africa by the same name during the Boer War.

In 1928 The Kop was altered from banking to terracing and a massive roof added to protect the thousands of fans who gathered to watch their beloved team play. Other teams named their stands as the Kop but the one at Anfield was the original and the best.

The terrace housed the greatest fans in the game and it was often thought that the fans were worth a goal start to the Reds. They would try and suck the ball in if their team was losing and in one of the Kop's famous nights they put the fear of God into Inter Milan in a European semi-final 39 years ago.

At its peak, it is estimated that up to 30,000 supporters once stood in it to support the Tricky Reds – Liverpool FC. The Kop was world renowned for both the atmosphere it used to produce on match day, and the togetherness from a people who as a man and as a City were generally looked down at across the United Kingdom.

We mightn’t have had the affluent life styles that many others had, we mightn’t have had money in our pockets, but we had something that money couldn’t buy, something you couldn’t inherit. Something that could only be passed down by our fathers. When Saturday came we became the Spion Kop of Liverpool FC.

Liverpool V Norwich, 30th April 1994

This was announced as the last fixture to be played at Anfield in front of the standing Spion Kop. The Taylor report had deemed that standing terraces should be replaced with sitting areas after the never to be forgotten events at Hillsborough.

February 1994 was one of the most nerve racking times of my life, my wife was due our third child and my Dad was admitted to hospital with a minor chest complaint. My brother had also moved out from his very comfortable lifestyle in Skem, to set up another home with his new lady love. The tension and pressure in the family was intense.

On 6th February our youngest lad was born (Jonathon) whilst my Dad was in Whiston Hospital now diagnosed with cancer of the throat. Backwards and forwards the visits never ended, trying to keep everyone in the right frame of mind was a struggle in itself.

The intensity of this life and death scenario took its toll, as I sadly reacted by hitting the ale – big time. I knew it was wrong, but it happened.

Home games came and went, I can’t remember much about those days, I’m sure you can imagine. The upcoming last game on the Kop simply didn't register on my horizon. However, in time I managed to claw back my sanity and took control of my life again.

The penultimate game at Anfield was against Newcastle United, my Dads second team and mine. His was because he was stationed up that way during WW2, mine was because of the magnanimous behaviour of their fans after the 1974 FA Cup final.

The week before Kevin Keegan’s Geordies hit town, we had been to Anfield and scattered my Dad’s ashes in the Spion Kop goal. In all the years of following the Reds this was the only time I had been on a pitch. The Spion Kop looked very small, devoid of life, an empty terrace.

Come the Saturday, I had my ticket in the Annie Road End right next to the Newcastle United supporters. My feelings were up in the air as I made my way to the seat.

Minutes before the start of the game, The Spion Kop boomed out “You’ll never walk alone”. I stood alone in the Annie Road on the seat with my hands held high singing it at the top of my voice. For some strange reason I felt as if the Geordies knew my pain, as they joined in with our anthem. The majority of the Annie Road sat in their seats unaware of what was going on.

Once it had finished, the Geordies clapped the Spion Kop, in appreciation to what they had witnessed. I stood on the seat and clapped the Geordies, tears running down my eyes, my Dad would have been made up with them.

The game was a tight affair with Newcastle coming out comfortable winners 2-0. I wasn’t that bothered, I had other things on my mind.

Well then, Liverpool v Norwich 30th April 1994, approached, the Spion Kop's last stand.

By this time our Kid had come clean with the rest of the family and admitted he was breaking up his family and had moved to Oldham to set up his new life. This was again an unpleasant time.

On the Saturday morning he visited ours and we made our way up to Anfield. The King Harry beckoned, this was one of my Dad’s pubs. Whilst I had been able to get most of my feelings out, he hadn’t.

Pint after pint was consumed as he opened his heart and he let his feelings known, I thought I could cope, but I couldn’t. My mates tried their best to console him, in the end I think they did.

Anyway, our kid had managed to get 2 tickets in the Kemlyn Road, I sold my ticket in the Road End to one of the lads.

The flights up to the upper stand seemed to take forever, when we finally reached the top both of us went for a very long ****.

The seats were right near the front, the Spion Kop looked awesome. Full of colour, full of noise. It was full of around 16,000 of the finest, it was a spectable to behold.

Legends from the past walked onto the pitch, legends such as Liddell, Dalglish, Stubbins, Callaghan, Tommy Smith, Heighway, David Johnson, Phil Thompson, Fairclough and Craig Johnston were saluted as Joe Fagan escorted the widows Nessie Shankly and Jessie Paisley onto the pitch before an awesome roar of approval.

Shankly, Shankly boomed the Kop, to be replaced with Paisley,Paisley, then back again to a sombre SHANKLY SHANKLY. Song after song boomed out through the game on what was both a sad day at the passing of the great terrace and a celebration of what had gone before.

After the game, a 1-0 defeat shich didn't seem to matter, we headed into Bootle and joined the family to honour the passing of the Kop, and to honour one of its sons. 10 years ago today.

The next day was the Kop's last stand, we'd promised the kid's that we would take them to it, as it was one last chance for us to stand were our forefathers stood.

Woke up with my mouth feeling like the inside of a birdcage and my head felt like it was full of spanners.

A bite to eat, a quick wash and a change of clothes and up to Anfield to say goodbye to something that I can't really put into words.

The gateman said "You can't bring that fold-up pram in here" "Can't I" I said as I duly lifted it above the turnstille as I entered the ground.

It must have looked funny pushing this flimsy pram along the walkway in the Kop, but we didn't care.

The "Last night of the Kop" turned out a real none affair from what I can remember of it. Kev Speed from Radio City (an Evertonian) seemed intent on winding the thousands of Kopites up, "Down with the Swindon" they boomed back.

A moving rendition of You'll Never Walk alone sticks in my mind, together with seeing some of the faces that used to go the games with us.

The Spion Kop is dead, long live the Spion Kop.

[Paul D]

I remember Kevin Ratcliffes mis-hit shot that Brucie fumbled over the line,that was a great day to be in the Kop.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

[scouse mouse]

I remember Kevin Ratcliffes mis-hit shot that Brucie fumbled over the line,that was a great day to be in the Kop.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Sounds like your average Everton goal to me.:unibrow:

[Jim SH]

Surprised nobody mentioned probably the greatest ever night on the Kop...St Etienne. It was the only occasion I've seen the Paddock a sea of red and white as even they joined in with you'll Never Walk alone.

[scouse mouse]

Surprised nobody mentioned probably the greatest ever night on the Kop...St Etienne. It was the only occasion I've seen the Paddock a sea of red and white as even they joined in with you'll Never Walk alone.

So many games that could contest that title though Jim, Celtic in 66, Inter in 65, Olympiakos in 04 etc.

Having said that St Etienne was definitely up there with the best of 'em.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

[Mark R]

Yes. And if all the people who said they were there were actually there it would have had an attendance of about 200,000 :unibrow:

[burkhilly]

I'm a kopite through and through! Starting going to Anfield in 70s and have followed Liverpool since. I don't know how I survived with the number of fans who were crammed in the kop. I always thought it dangerous, and after Hillsborough knew I'd been right. In the 80s football fans were treated like wild animals - penned in and not given any respect whatsoever. Yes there were hooligans, but all the years I went to Anfield and away matches, I only ever saw one fight outside after the match.

I don't go to many matches now - too expensive - but my 22yo son goes, and loves being on today's kop. It's funny because I remember when we played Chelsea in the first semi of the Champions' League and when he came home is said "you've never felt anything like it - the atmosphere was electric". I said yes I have - that was Anfield 20 years ago on the Kop!!!

[quincyg]

got some pics of the outside of the old Kop and a few blurry ones taken from the front when I went to match in 89.
will dig them out

[gregs dad]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/1745807862_294f7415f3_o.jpg
Here`s a golden oldie of the Kop with Clemence,Lawler,Tommy Smith No2,and Peter Cormack No 5.
Took this on a wednesday afternoon, those were the days when Tv never dictated the times and days of kick off times.

[Waterways]

Wednesday afternoon? Must have been during the power shortages.

[gregs dad]

No it was normal to have midweek games on wed/afternoons in the early days.

[Waterways]

No it was normal to have midweek games on wed/afternoons in the early days.

Not when, Clemence, Lawler & Tommy Smith were playing. Floodlights came in around 1958.

[scouse mouse]

No it was normal to have midweek games on wed/afternoons in the early days.

Not at that time gregs dad.

As waterworks says, that must have been 1974 or 1975.

[Ged]

Great pic anyhow. Is that Wolves they're playing?

[scouse mouse]

Great pic anyhow. Is that Wolves they're playing?

I have to admit it's got me baffled.

Smithy didn't wear the number 2 shirt until half way through the 73/74 season, Cormack never wore the number 5 shirt until Larry Lloyd got transferred the same season and by that time Lawler was pretty much finished.

My guess is it's a cup replay?

Do you know what game it was gregs dad?

[Ged]

I remember Smith being 4, Cormack being 8. You could almost name the same stareting 11 those days. Clemence, Lawler, Lindsey, Smith, Lloyd, Hughes, Keegan, Cormack or Hall, Heighway, Toshack and Callaghan - a great team.

[scouse mouse]

I remember Smith being 4, Cormack being 8. You could almost name the same stareting 11 those days. Clemence, Lawler, Lindsey, Smith, Lloyd, Hughes, Keegan, Cormack or Hall, Heighway, Toshack and Callaghan - a great team.

That's why this picture is so hard to pin down, Smithy wore the number 2, Lawler wore number 4 and Cormack wore number 5 all around the same time but I'm having a hard time coming up with the game when they all wore them at the same time at Anfield.

It has to be a cup replay, but which one?

Btw, what's happened to this place while I was away? How come you have to wait until one of the mods checks our posts before it get's posted.:question:

[Paddy]

I bet you I am on that Veranda I stood there for quite a few seasons. Theres more :ninja:

[Paddy]

I have to make this post as it is bugging me. Was the wed afternoon Boxing Day or News Years day? I don?t remember seventies games being played in the afternoons. They had the pictures, and shop workers got off that afternoon but the crowd does not look like Tesco Staff. I notice the Walrus is there, that is the tall police officer walking along the cinder path. When Liverpool played Ajax in the second round of the European cup after getting beat 5-0 by them in Holland a hell of a lot of fan?s turned up for the game. The Kop got so packed they started putting kids on the pitch. I was one of the kids. We sat on the cinder path but a copper told us we couldn?t stay there and they started moving us away. The Kop started booing and hissing and getting angry because they thought we were getting kicked out so they let us stay in a big group by the corner flag. The Walrus always strutted up and down in front of the Kop to the tune of ?Walrus Walrus?.

[Jim SH]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/1745807862_294f7415f3_o.jpg
Here`s a golden oldie of the Kop with Clemence,Lawler,Tommy Smith No2,and Peter Cormack No 5.
Took this on a wednesday afternoon, those were the days when Tv never dictated the times and days of kick off times.

Pretty sure it was V Southampton 74/74 when Phil Boersma scored in the
87th minute.

:)

[scouse mouse]

I have to make this post as it is bugging me. Was the wed afternoon Boxing Day or News Years day? I don?t remember seventies games being played in the afternoons. They had the pictures, and shop workers got off that afternoon but the crowd does not look like Tesco Staff. I notice the Walrus is there, that is the tall police officer walking along the cinder path. When Liverpool played Ajax in the second round of the European cup after getting beat 5-0 by them in Holland a hell of a lot of fan?s turned up for the game. The Kop got so packed they started putting kids on the pitch. I was one of the kids. We sat on the cinder path but a copper told us we couldn?t stay there and they started moving us away. The Kop started booing and hissing and getting angry because they thought we were getting kicked out so they let us stay in a big group by the corner flag. The Walrus always strutted up and down in front of the Kop to the tune of ?Walrus Walrus?.

I was just a lad at that game too. Usually you could get on the Kop early and as long as you got your back to a crush barrier you was alright. That game I started off in the middle and somehow ended up right at the front of the Kop getting crushed against the wall, thankfully there was no fences back then and they were able to pull me out. We all thought they'd put us in the paddock or let us stay sitted on the path but we all ended up getting marched out (via the players tunnel).

btw I remember the 'Walrus' very well.:rolleyes:

[scouse mouse]

Pretty sure it was V Southampton 74/74 when Phil Boersma scored in the
87th minute.

:)

And I'm pretty sure you are right.:)

Anyone know why that game was played on a Wednesday afternoon though? because that certainly was a "one off" in the 70's and nothing to do with the telly dictating anything, feck me the only game on the box live back in them days was the Cup Final.:shock:

[SteH]

And I'm pretty sure you are right.:)

Anyone know why that game was played on a Wednesday afternoon though? because that certainly was a "one off" in the 70's and nothing to do with the telly dictating anything, feck me the only game on the box live back in them days was the Cup Final.:shock:

It was when the nation was in the grip of the 3 day week, no electricity for the floodlights.

[Jim SH]

I seem to remember bunking off school in the same season to go to Doncaster for a cup replay in the same year. :eek:

[Waterways]

I don?t remember seventies games being played in the afternoons.

They did during the power workers strikes. The police would not allow the games to be played at night in case the power went off before, during or after the games - for safety reasons.

[Paddy]

You could be right water, but the Kop looks awful packed and suggests to me that it would have been a holiday. Perhaps Christmas or Easter.

Scouse mouse I was about 14 on that night. I think I managed to stay. In fact I did stay. I remember some kids leaving as you said, but then the Kop kicked off booing and they let us stay.

[gregs dad]

It all comes back to me now,it was a tuesday not a wednesday,26th Feb`74
the team was; Clemence,Smith,Lawler,Cormack,Hughes,Keegan,Hall,B oersma,
Waddle,Callaghan, the score was 1-0 Boersma scored, about 27,000 crowd
and I borrowed ?2 to go to the game. And you are right JIMSH it was Southampton.

[Paddy]

I dont remember the game myself. I do however remember the team.

[matthewarnold]

i stood on the kop many times , i remember once finding an american flag on the banks of the mersey (probably off a ship )and washing it at home then myself and my mates took it on the kop which the game was covered by match of the day and i remember seeing the flag on tv that night im talking the 70s by the way so reading your thread prompted me to join in your discussion/memory im new to the site so im hoping ive got this reply right nice to read your story ! matt

[ChrisGeorge]

I dont remember the game myself. I do however remember the team.

Did they play in Red????? :PDT_Aliboronz_24: :rolleyes:

Chirs

[Paddy]

I have seen the team play in many colours, white, black, yellow, and green.

[Jim SH]

Around that time we developed a habit of scoring late goals, about 5 out of 7 games. The very next game we beat Burnley with a last minute winner. :)

[Paddy]

Then we developed the Fairclough factor :)

[patrickrice]

fairclough the red (hair and heart).

i've been looking to getting back over to the kop. it's been 13 years for me but the time is right to back now.

i was there the day that aldo threw his boots into the crowd. doesn't have the same effect when someone like djibril cisse is doing it

anyways can anyone recommend a place to by tickets. don't say the website. i'm always too late. does anyone know of Premier League Tickets (http://www.premierleaguetickets.net/)?????

[scouse mouse]

fairclough the red (hair and heart).

i've been looking to getting back over to the kop. it's been 13 years for me but the time is right to back now.

i was there the day that aldo threw his boots into the crowd. doesn't have the same effect when someone like djibril cisse is doing it

anyways can anyone recommend a place to by tickets. don't say the website. i'm always too late. does anyone know of Premier League Tickets (http://www.premierleaguetickets.net/)?????

Where abouts are you 'getting back over' from Patrick?