Why for me Liverpool FC has always been a “collective passion”

That was also the day when I won my first ever bet at the bookies … I just had a feeling that Michael Thomas was going to get the first one that day. Little wonder that my old man was perplexed at me turning up at home slightly the worse for wear when they had only given me 30 quid, 20 of which I’d spent on the shirt!! I think he was more devastated that his son was a lightweight who could get sloshed on a tenner, until I took pity on him and showed him the betting slip. Such parental pride at a teenage son who had found his way to Bill Hill!

Wembley was always an incredible day out, none more so than the Merseyside Derby Finals. Oddly enough, I went to the League Cup Final replay in 1984 at Maine Road but not to any of the Wembley occasions as I had cricketing commitments on both occasions. Some few years later, one of my best friends finally cottoned on to my suspicious behaviour when he asked me how I had managed to be out early on every occasion at school when Liverpool had a big match. Even by my own standards, I timed it perfectly in 1986, being able to bat from the start of the match at 2pm, until I just happened to miss a straight ball and be out at 2.50pm! It gave me enough time to get unpadded and run to my mum’s car and listen to the match on Radio 2.

Despite not being there, that still ranks as one of my favourite ever days as a Red. Dalglish was my hero, and remains one of my favourite 2 Reds of all time, and for us to win the Double in his first season as manager was just amazing for me as a kid. It was also special because the FA Cup had not been kind to us over that period, and to finally have the Reds in the biggest occasion of the year was a dream come true. And for those who say that the FA Cup has lost its magic, just ask any of us who were in Cardiff in 2001 and 2006.

The magical moments have been endless over the years, and Istanbul is of course a never to be forgotten night. Oddly enough though, when asked about that campaign, my mind always goes back to that horribly cold December night on the Kop when Rivaldo’s free-kick was deflected into the net. As so often, we roared that night with a passion that really says everything about what it means to support Liverpool Football Club. There were also the two Champions League Semi-Final Second-Legs against Chelsea, both of which leave me with goosebumps when I put on the DVDs.

I could not write about my life supporting Liverpool Football Club without mentioning 29 May 1985 and 15 April 1989. The memories of all our brothers and sisters live within us and is part of the fire that keeps this club eternally burning brightly.

I always say that our memories are subjective, but our passion collective. In this respect, all of us treasure different moments for a variety of reasons, but when it comes down to it we are all in it together. Thirty years I have shared this passion with all of you, and I have some wonderful friends as a result.

My life supporting Liverpool FC has been shorter than many, and longer than others. I realise now the fortune that I had to grow up watching the side of the 70s and 80s winning everything in sight. I know that the youngsters today are told about how great we were but I wonder how many of them really believe it and know it.

To appreciate the good times, you have to experience the bad, and that is exactly what we have done in recent years. However, I firmly believe that before long, I will see number 19 arriving in L4, and like all good buses, number 20 will not be far behind.

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