Anfield - Too many tourists ?

[anfieldanfield]

I'm not scouse and only go to a handful of games a season, but If I were from Liverpool, or went to every home game, I'd be pretty pissed off with the influx of tourists at Anfield. You can see how this undercurrent of bitterness has been generated, scousers and out of towners, there's some serious tension, there, and it's surely only going to get worse and worse.

They come in all shapes and sizes, the Irish with jester hats, the familys with small kids and £90 worth of merchandise, the dead silent cockneys, the Welsh, those cunts who cant even bring themselves to raise a scarf and sing YNWA, the camera brigade, the occasional yank, even the lads asking where the Kop is and whatshisfaces statue stands.....

It's embarrassing and must be absolutely gut wrenching for those scousers of the 60's and 70's who knew what a packed standing Kop full of scousers was like.

Pete stated the other day, he felt 80% of out of towners were having a negative impact on atmosphere at Anfield, from my limited experience, especially the last two homes games I went to, Reading and Villa, I think he's right.

Now, I know the songs, I love the club, understand the history and I contribute to the atmosphere, as a result, I'd genuinely like to believe I'm in that 20%. But without a scouse accent, I do wonder whether I'll ever truly feel 'part of it' on matchdays. Often, I've been tempted to shout something out, or start a chant, but I dont, for fear of my southern, middle class accent giving me away. It's a horrible feeling, but one I'm not sure I'll ever shake off.

I wanted to keep this post short and sweet, as much of it has already been covered by Mr VQ in the 'Other forum'.

So, out of towners, do you feel comfortable at Anfield, without a scouse accent ?

And scousers, do you just wish we'd fuck right off ?

 

[Vlads Quiff]

Very poignant AA.
I have stood on that packed Kop , am born and bred in the City, and I love people coming to support the club from outside the city, I welcome everyone far and wide.
I am the sort of chap that gives you southern softies a lift back to the station, or gets you to follow me in your car to show you the best way out.
Thanks for the reference to the post in the other forum. I hope you can now see where I am coming from, as regards the atmosphere, but as I said there, I don't put it down to where anyone comes from. Perhaps just the opposite.
Where I do have a problem is when people tell me they are as much a Liverpool supporter as me, when they sit on a keyboard the other side of the world, and make me feel guilty because it's a million miles away and they can't get to the match.
It's like being a Catholic, my wife, and subsequently my kids, are Catholics. The best Catholics are converts, but they will never be proper Catholics, not even as god as the real Catholics that never go to church.
What I would say Jamo is you have a sing, you have a shout, and I will support you all day long, posh git or not.

regards

regards

 

[anfieldanfield]

What I'm about to post has been drifting over the Internet since yesterday, it might sound like fanciful idealism, but from the responses it got (RAOTL), it seems like they're taking it pretty seriously...

Interesting to see what comes of it. Anyway, here it is....

http://forum.raotl.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=38505

"This is a call to arms... but not those in long-sleeved sweatshirts worn under the club shirt. Not those that spend the match phoning each other and saying "stand up", "wave to us", "we're in the big end opposite the Bordeaux fans..."; not those who support the team for five minutes then start slating them if we're not 3-0 up.

Seriously. Our support needs sorting out before the quilts have watered us down to nothing. Let's wind back a bit. We support the greatest, most romantic football club in the world. I say romantic because our tales are so many and so fucking heroic that it's like a book of legends and it makes you cry with pride that you've been a part of it. Now, sometimes, you just want to cry...

We used to have a pin-stripe scarf with a United Nations style emblem woven around the Liverbird: "Lverpool F.C: Supporters All Over The World". That's a thing of pride. Forget all the Local Support v Out Of Town debate. A supporter is a supporter no matter where they come from, just so long as they've had their education.

This is where we're falling down. Not so long ago we'd sing "You got your education from The Kop". Being a Liverpool supporter stood for something. Supporting this club brought responsibilities. You were different. You dressed different. You didn't follow the moronic chants that every other club came up with. You were part of something - something known and revered all over the world, and it was fucking brilliant. Above all else, you supported Liverpool and you got behind the team.

What are we now? A gang of twats, mainly. No different from Chelsea or Arsenal or Man.United. Most of the community on this site are right-thinking Reds who cherish the tradition and the values, so no-one needs me to list the litany of disgrace. All I'll say is, you wouldn't take a mobile into church and start taking photies of the priest.

Things have got to change, brethren, and soon. Good fans no longer feel a part of the increasingly shallow Anfield experience and it won't be long before more and more start spewing it. We need a reasonable, sensible, enforcable charter that properly educates as to what is required of them if they're to have the honour of representing this club of ours. In the spirit of KFS, let's get back to basics and reclaim the terraces.

Step One is your own contributions as to the worst offences. Step Two is a mass-flyer excercise, politely explaining why these things won't be tolerated any more. And Step Three is, long term, let's find a RAOTL home where like-minded people can have a drink without having to take a deep breath and, once again, explain to some prick from Cork why we don't read The Lying Rag. Enough."

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I couldn't really give a fuck where our fans are from.

I respect someone more for travelling the length and breadth of the country (or the bog pits of Ireland) to see their team than some lazy arse who lives right by Anfield, professing their undying love for the club but haven't bothered their arse to go the match.

OOT's will belt out YNWA but for me the best songs such as "The Reds are coming up the hill" are muted. Maybe OOT's feel uncomfortable singing "Born to Scouse" and I do admit to a slight anger when someone from the nether regions of the world sings it. You're not Scouse and have no idea what it means to be as such.

Personally, I just can't see how The Club means as much to someone who goes once every blue moon as it does to someone like myself. Liverpool FC and going to the match has been part of my life since I was 14. It's not just about the Club, it's place in the walk of life of the city.

I just can't stand the jester hats and all that shit and OOTs appear to be more guilty of creating that carnival atmosphere than the local lads.

 

[darkstarexodus]

Good posts, the both of you.

I'm from overseas and I desperately hope to be able to make it to Anfield before it is replaced. I know I can never have that depth of understanding what it is to belong in the Kop, but it is an experience which would truly be transforming and special.

I like to think that my enthusiasm for the club and willingness to partake in the matchday atmosphere would ensure that I don't get shunned, but I suppose I won't know until I find out.

Caught a game at Craven Cottage while in London just before New Year's last year, and while it was still a great experience (entertaining, scrappy 3-3 draw with Villa), it obviously pales in comparison to seeing the mighty Liverpool at their sacred home.

I can certainly understand why locals get frustrated and upset at their beloved club being taken over by OOTs, but they should also be proud that their club has achieved so much as to be cherished by so many from so far away.

 

[Vlads Quiff]

No one will get shunned, we are the most welcoming people you will ever meet, proud of our City, proud of our Club, and proud of our reputation.
regards

 

[anfieldanfield]

No one will get shunned, we are the most welcoming people you will ever meet, proud of our City, proud of our Club, and proud of our reputation.
regards

Say I've parked my car in Liverpool 20 times, as the sea of local fans fans are walking to the stadium, on at least 15 of those occasions a friendly scouser has offered a little comment, joke or bit of advice, 'oooo dont park it on that curb lad, you'll get a ticket', or 'try round the back of the pub mate' or 'there's space down the road on the left fella' etc

It's just a little thing and probably wont mean much to anyone else, but it always makes me and my mates feel welcome as soon as I set foot in the City, and I cant think of too many other places, where the people are so openly friendly.

 

[Vlads Quiff]

We like to be liked.....
night all

 

[darkstarexodus]

No one will get shunned, we are the most welcoming people you will ever meet, proud of our City, proud of our Club, and proud of our reputation.
regards

Good to hear. Hopefully I'll be over sometime next season to experience the hospitality first-hand.

Cheers.

 

[localny]

Truth of the matter lads, is that foreign "OOters" are as important as scousers - in a world where we pay 14M for players like Djibril Cisse, we need our audience to be as international as we can.

Otherwise, quite simply the scousers will not have the money to pay for the players that will give them the illusive title they want.

I know what you mean though. I've been supporting the club since I was 5, but when I'm around scousers and spouting the "we" factor, I feel like an interloper!

 

[Rosco]

Personally, I just can't see how The Club means as much to someone who goes once every blue moon as it does to someone like myself.

It will take me a while to compose, but I'll PM you to help you understand.

 

[Ong]

Everytime I read a thread about OOT's and Scouser , then I will get mad and feel annoying. Liverpool FC is not owned by Scouser (always feel Scouser like to think like that). Why Scouser like to blame OOT for bringing negative impact to the atmosphere af Anfield? why Anfiled can't full up with all scousers and not let the OOT's buy the match tickets?
Many like to question OOT's about their loyalty and their support to the club compare to the Scousers. Can you scouser wake up in the middle of the night to watch the club playing for your entire life? Take us the Malaysian supporter as the example, we have to wake up at 3.30 am to watch LFC play in CL. Actually OOT's envy and jealous about Scousers due to they can attend the matches at Anfield. We have to save a lot of money to get there, and maybe only one time in whole life we can get there.
I'm not blame Scousers or what, but I think it's the responsibility of the Scousers to make Anfield full up every matches and make noise during the match. You are born in there and it is a gift from GOD. I think many OOT's will hope that they can born in there.
Stop separate LFC fans into Scouser and OOT. I always call myself KOP and my friend always say he is scouser.We had fighting before with ManScum fans after they insulted our beloved club.
Maybe some Scouser really don't like OOT's, but they should feel proud after knowing so many OOT's support LFC. Many of the OOT's are not glory hunter, many support LFC since they are kid. Many had walk through the "dark era" of LFC and never moaning. Many had been insulted by Manscum, arsenal fans (at my country we always get the insult during our "dark era&quot😉 and still support LFC.

*sorry for the poor english and maybe this is a pointless post.*

 

[Avmenon]

this thread pops along every once in a while.

i dont know whether or not the OOT's have diminished Anfield in some way,but i dont know what other kind of fan we're supposed to be.

this club has managed to draw MILLIONS of fans who are not Scousers.and they really shouldnt be made to feel in some way 'different' to local fans.perhaps a bit of re-education of the traditions and history of LFC would be good.its difficult to really understand what this club stands for if you're not Scouse-bred.

but try to help them understand.

this thread is probably going to draw the ire of OOT'ers later,and it really shouldnt.

but is it fair to always lay the blame at the door of the OOT?

for most of these 'tourists', Anfield is a pilgrimage.grown men all around the world will sit in pubs and talk about going and when someone has actually gone,the rest of his mates will gawk and plead for titbits of info as to what its like.how do i know?because i've done it.

just as the non-Scouse dont understand the core of this club's foundation,the Scouse have no idea as to just how important this club is to the nn-Scouse.

perhaps we could help each other out?

and Vladders,no need to feel guilty about us.

 

[Jo.]

I can only post from my own thoughts of being a Hammer.

I think both the Pool and the Hammers (can't bear to mention the red scum ere) are both one of the few sides who have supporters world wide. On our board we have supporters from all over the world, and they love our club as much as any bugger who lives next door to Upton Park.

It doesn't matter where we live, where we come from, surely, just so long as we stick by our club whether we are up there at the top of the Prem, picking up a cup in Europe (I wish!) or fighting relegation. Or, God forbid, being relegated and having to live life in the lower divisions.

The point is, we have to live the highs and the lows, and we don't give up, no matter how bad things are.

THAT is when you can call yourself a real supporter. Being there when things are bad.

I honestly dont think it matters one bit where you come from. You choose your club for whatever reason, and that is where you stay.

Most of us Irons blame our Dads for all the stress we have lived through! My bro has this thought that each father, having suffered at Upton Park for many years, has one ambition: that his kids suffer, too!

Heheh, whatever, our Dad took us to see the Irons at Upton Park in 1968. I was 8 years old then, bro was younger.

We have been suffering ever bloody since. Tell you what tho: we would never change it!

 

[Ong]

this thread pops along every once in a while.

i dont know whether or not the OOT's have diminished Anfield in some way,but i dont know what other kind of fan we're supposed to be.

this club has managed to draw MILLIONS of fans who are not Scousers.and they really shouldnt be made to feel in some way 'different' to local fans.perhaps a bit of re-education of the traditions and history of LFC would be good.its difficult to really understand what this club stands for if you're not Scouse-bred.

but try to help them understand.

this thread is probably going to draw the ire of OOT'ers later,and it really shouldnt.

but is it fair to always lay the blame at the door of the OOT?

for most of these 'tourists', Anfield is a pilgrimage.grown men all around the world will sit in pubs and talk about going and when someone has actually gone,the rest of his mates will gawk and plead for titbits of info as to what its like.how do i know?because i've done it.

just as the non-Scouse dont understand the core of this club's foundation,the Scouse have no idea as to just how important this club is to the nn-Scouse.

perhaps we could help each other out?

and Vladders,no need to feel guilty about us.

Well said mate. I think like AV said, scouser should help us to understand their tradition and not blame OOT. We both love the same club.

 

[LEMONed]

this thread pops along every once in a while.

i dont know whether or not the OOT's have diminished Anfield in some way,but i dont know what other kind of fan we're supposed to be.

this club has managed to draw MILLIONS of fans who are not Scousers.and they really shouldnt be made to feel in some way 'different' to local fans.perhaps a bit of re-education of the traditions and history of LFC would be good.its difficult to really understand what this club stands for if you're not Scouse-bred.

but try to help them understand.

this thread is probably going to draw the ire of OOT'ers later,and it really shouldnt.

but is it fair to always lay the blame at the door of the OOT?

for most of these 'tourists', Anfield is a pilgrimage.grown men all around the world will sit in pubs and talk about going and when someone has actually gone,the rest of his mates will gawk and plead for titbits of info as to what its like.how do i know?because i've done it.

just as the non-Scouse dont understand the core of this club's foundation,the Scouse have no idea as to just how important this club is to the nn-Scouse.

perhaps we could help each other out?

and Vladders,no need to feel guilty about us.

Well said mate. I think like AV said, scouser should help us to understand their tradition and not blame OOT. We both love the same club.

the scousers at the stadium should help the 'tourists' to settle down, after all the scousers are the 'host' am i right?

 

[Ong]

this thread pops along every once in a while.

i dont know whether or not the OOT's have diminished Anfield in some way,but i dont know what other kind of fan we're supposed to be.

this club has managed to draw MILLIONS of fans who are not Scousers.and they really shouldnt be made to feel in some way 'different' to local fans.perhaps a bit of re-education of the traditions and history of LFC would be good.its difficult to really understand what this club stands for if you're not Scouse-bred.

but try to help them understand.

this thread is probably going to draw the ire of OOT'ers later,and it really shouldnt.

but is it fair to always lay the blame at the door of the OOT?

for most of these 'tourists', Anfield is a pilgrimage.grown men all around the world will sit in pubs and talk about going and when someone has actually gone,the rest of his mates will gawk and plead for titbits of info as to what its like.how do i know?because i've done it.

just as the non-Scouse dont understand the core of this club's foundation,the Scouse have no idea as to just how important this club is to the nn-Scouse.

perhaps we could help each other out?

and Vladders,no need to feel guilty about us.

Well said mate. I think like AV said, scouser should help us to understand their tradition and not blame OOT. We both love the same club.

the scousers at the stadium should help the 'tourists' to settle down, after all the scousers are the 'host' am i right?

Yes, try to teach them singing and chanting. LemoNed, not tourists, that's not a good word to describe OOT's. Tourists won't go into Anfield to watch match.

 

[LEMONed]

Yes, try to teach them singing and chanting. LemoNed, not tourists, that's not a good word to describe OOT's. Tourists won't go into Anfield to watch match.

i'm just borrowing AA's word 😳

 

[Milner]

I spend alot if time in Liverpool and my family are from there but there's noway i'll ever be taken for anything else other than a OOT, because quite simply i haven't grown up in liverpool.

That said about 95% of games i get tickets to i have to go on my own and even as a 15 year old i don't remember spending a single half time on my own. i always got chatting to people, mainly scousers, and i've never once felt out of place.

As much as i know the songs and join in, the atmosphere/banter wouldn't be anywhere near as good if it wasn't mainly scousers in the crowd.

 

[Ryan]

Personally, I just can't see how The Club means as much to someone who goes once every blue moon as it does to someone like myself.

That, right there, is the only point I'm going to take umbrage with.

Vlad and AA have covered the topic at hand pretty well, and without really coming to a definitive conclusion, have said all that needs to be said.

Sheik, that's wrong mate.

I went to my first Liverpool game when I was 9. At home to Spurs, in the driving rain, with Barnes getting the winner. In his celebration he ran straight over to where me and my Dad were sitting in the Paddock, it was brilliant. I remember everything: The rain, the taxi to Anfield from some bluenose driver, the club shop, the walk up the steps and seeing the pitch for the first time, Pat Van Den Hauwe picking a fight with Ronnie Whelan, and the tiny bit of grass that I managed to pluck from the pitch at the end. It was easily the best day of my life.

And going back to Anfield everytime since is still that same great wonderful experience. Just because I don't get to do it as often as you doesn't mean it matters any less, just that you're fortunate enough to have the means to do it, and go there every week.

Don't be under the impression that it doesn't affect us OOT'ers the same way mate. I still get the pangs of excitement churning my stomach before matchdays, I still avail of any opprtunity to watch anything red-related on the TV, and it does ruin my weekend everybit as much as yours if we lose. Only difference is, that you were there to endure it, I'm here.

What OOT'ers lose out on with regards to local pride, colloquialisms, 'real' support, and familiarity, we gain on so many other things. You for instance mate, will never understand the excitement that greets tickets arriving through the door of your gaff 3 weeks before a match. The flight to Liverpool. 'Liverpool'. Everything: the walk round town, buying the 'Echo', getting the bus to the game, talking about it afterwards. You lot don't appreciate that, for us it's special.

I dare say mate, that my knowledge of Liverpool football club over the last 15 years is every bit as good as yours, or anyone else's for that matter. I don't follow the club as a hobby mate, or a flight-of-fancy, I do it cos I love the team, just like you.

As for this "buying jester hats" bollox. Well, while I'm here I might as well argue that one too. When I first started going to games at an early age, Anfield was the only place you could buy anything LFC related. I'd save up for months before it, and buy everything my woeful little pocket money could afford: Flags, scarfs (I already had 3 on), pens (We were only allowed to use pencils in school), photos, programmes, videos, calendars, ties, fucking everything. All in that shitty wee shop that you queued for half an hour to get into, and never wanted to leave. That was as much part of the experience as the game itself.

Even to this day, I still walk into the club shop behind St. John's in town. For no other reason than to 'be a part of it.'

It mightn't be fashionable amongst the inner sanctum of 'Liverpoolites' to sport the gear, the scarfs, the pendants, and everything else - but for me as a lad I couldn't get enough of it. Am I now to think any less of any other little bright-eyed kid I see at the ground carrying round bags of memorabilia that he's forced his dad into buying 20 minutes prior in the club-shop? Am I bollox. By the same token, what about some group of lads that have come from Scandanavia solely to see the game? They've saved to get there, and enjoy the weekend better than any of you will. There the ones that'll be walking through town at 2am on a Sunday morning, bolloxed, signngng about 'Ste Gerrard'. You Liverpudlians should be proud of that. Just cos they don't know the words to 'Poor Scouser Tommy' does that make them any less of a supporter than you? Does it fuck.

I won't even go into the commercial aspects of what our 'extra' support does for the club either mate.

I hope I've spoken for a few OOT'ers with this, cos I know I'm not greater a supporter than them, nor are you anymore dedicated to the cause than me mate. It matters just the same.

The only difference being that, form a football perspective, you're fortunate enough to live beside the club we both love.

 

[KopKing]

Personally, I just can't see how The Club means as much to someone who goes once every blue moon as it does to someone like myself.

That, right there, is the only point I'm going to take umbrage with.

Vlad and AA have covered the topic at hand pretty well, and without really coming to a definitive conclusion, have said all that needs to be said.

Sheik, that's wrong mate.

I went to my first Liverpool game when I was 9. At home to Spurs, in the driving rain, with Barnes getting the winner. In his celebration he ran straight over to where me and my Dad were sitting in the Paddock, it was brilliant. I remember everything: The rain, the taxi to Anfield from some bluenose driver, the club shop, the walk up the steps and seeing the pitch for the first time, Pat Van Den Hauwe picking a fight with Ronnie Whelan, and the tiny bit of grass that I managed to pluck from the pitch at the end. It was easily the best day of my life.

And going back to Anfield everytime since is still that same great wonderful experience. Just because I don't get to do it as often as you doesn't mean it matters any less, just that you're fortunate enough to have the means to do it, and go there every week.

Don't be under the impression that it doesn't affect us OOT'ers the same way mate. I still get the pangs of excitement churning my stomach before matchdays, I still avail of any opprtunity to watch anything red-related on the TV, and it does ruin my weekend everybit as much as yours if we lose. Only difference is, that you were there to endure it, I'm here.

What OOT'ers lose out on with regards to local pride, colloquialisms, 'real' support, and familiarity, we gain on so many other things. You for instance mate, will never understand the excitement that greets tickets arriving through the door of your gaff 3 weeks before a match. The flight to Liverpool. 'Liverpool'. Everything: the walk round town, buying the 'Echo', getting the bus to the game, talking about it afterwards. You lot don't appreciate that, for us it's special.

I dare say mate, that my knowledge of Liverpool football club over the last 15 years is every bit as good as yours, or anyone else's for that matter. I don't follow the club as a hobby mate, or a flight-of-fancy, I do it cos I love the team, just like you.

As for this "buying jester hats" bollox. Well, while I'm here I might as well argue that one too. When I first started going to games at an early age, Anfield was the only place you could buy anything LFC related. I'd save up for months before it, and buy everything my woeful little pocket money could afford: Flags, scarfs (I already had 3 on), pens (We were only allowed to use pencils in school), photos, programmes, videos, calendars, ties, fucking everything. All in that shitty wee shop that you queued for half an hour to get into, and never wanted to leave. That was as much part of the experience as the game itself.

Even to this day, I still walk into the club shop behind St. John's in town. For no other reason than to 'be a part of it.'

It mightn't be fashionable amongst the inner sanctum of 'Liverpoolites' to sport the gear, the scarfs, the pendants, and everything else - but for me as a lad I couldn't get enough of it. Am I now to think any less of any other little bright-eyed kid I see at the ground carrying round bags of memorabilia that he's forced his dad into buying 20 minutes prior in the club-shop? Am I bollox. By the same token, what about some group of lads that have come from Scandanavia solely to see the game? They've saved to get there, and enjoy the weekend better than any of you will. There the ones that'll be walking through town at 2am on a Sunday morning, bolloxed, signing about 'Ste Gerrard'. You Liverpudlians should be proud of that. Just cos they don't know the words to 'Poor Scouser Tommy' does that make them any less of a supporter than you? Does it fuck.

I won't even go into the commercial aspects of what our 'extra' support does for the club either mate.

I hope I've spoken for a few OOT'ers with this, cos I know I'm not greater a support than them, nor are you anymore dedicated to the cause than me mate. It matters just the same.

The only difference being that, form a football perspective, you're fortunate enough to live beside the club we both love.

Wow...What a great post *wipes tear away from eye*

 

[Ong]

Personally, I just can't see how The Club means as much to someone who goes once every blue moon as it does to someone like myself.

That, right there, is the only point I'm going to take umbrage with.

Vlad and AA have covered the topic at hand pretty well, and without really coming to a definitive conclusion, have said all that needs to be said.

Sheik, that's wrong mate.

I went to my first Liverpool game when I was 9. At home to Spurs, in the driving rain, with Barnes getting the winner. In his celebration he ran straight over to where me and my Dad were sitting in the Paddock, it was brilliant. I remember everything: The rain, the taxi to Anfield from some bluenose driver, the club shop, the walk up the steps and seeing the pitch for the first time, Pat Van Den Hauwe picking a fight with Ronnie Whelan, and the tiny bit of grass that I managed to pluck from the pitch at the end. It was easily the best day of my life.

And going back to Anfield everytime since is still that same great wonderful experience. Just because I don't get to do it as often as you doesn't mean it matters any less, just that you're fortunate enough to have the means to do it, and go there every week.

Don't be under the impression that it doesn't affect us OOT'ers the same way mate. I still get the pangs of excitement churning my stomach before matchdays, I still avail of any opprtunity to watch anything red-related on the TV, and it does ruin my weekend everybit as much as yours if we lose. Only difference is, that you were there to endure it, I'm here.

What OOT'ers lose out on with regards to local pride, colloquialisms, 'real' support, and familiarity, we gain on so many other things. You for instance mate, will never understand the excitement that greets tickets arriving through the door of your gaff 3 weeks before a match. The flight to Liverpool. 'Liverpool'. Everything: the walk round town, buying the 'Echo', getting the bus to the game, talking about it afterwards. You lot don't appreciate that, for us it's special.

I dare say mate, that my knowledge of Liverpool football club over the last 15 years is every bit as good as yours, or anyone else's for that matter. I don't follow the club as a hobby mate, or a flight-of-fancy, I do it cos I love the team, just like you.

As for this "buying jester hats" bollox. Well, while I'm here I might as well argue that one too. When I first started going to games at an early age, Anfield was the only place you could buy anything LFC related. I'd save up for months before it, and buy everything my woeful little pocket money could afford: Flags, scarfs (I already had 3 on), pens (We were only allowed to use pencils in school), photos, programmes, videos, calendars, ties, fucking everything. All in that shitty wee shop that you queued for half an hour to get into, and never wanted to leave. That was as much part of the experience as the game itself.

Even to this day, I still walk into the club shop behind St. John's in town. For no other reason than to 'be a part of it.'

It mightn't be fashionable amongst the inner sanctum of 'Liverpoolites' to sport the gear, the scarfs, the pendants, and everything else - but for me as a lad I couldn't get enough of it. Am I now to think any less of any other little bright-eyed kid I see at the ground carrying round bags of memorabilia that he's forced his dad into buying 20 minutes prior in the club-shop? Am I bollox. By the same token, what about some group of lads that have come from Scandanavia solely to see the game? They've saved to get there, and enjoy the weekend better than any of you will. There the ones that'll be walking through town at 2am on a Sunday morning, bolloxed, signing about 'Ste Gerrard'. You Liverpudlians should be proud of that. Just cos they don't know the words to 'Poor Scouser Tommy' does that make them any less of a supporter than you? Does it fuck.

I won't even go into the commercial aspects of what our 'extra' support does for the club either mate.

I hope I've spoken for a few OOT'ers with this, cos I know I'm not greater a support than them, nor are you anymore dedicated to the cause than me mate. It matters just the same.

The only difference being that, form a football perspective, you're fortunate enough to live beside the club we both love.

Very good post and well said, Ryan. I starting LOVE you now. :wink: Live in Liverpool is a gift from the GOD like I said in my post.

 

[Piedro]

getting the bus to the game

Ha!

Bus = Piedro's Car

 

[Ryan]

getting the bus to the game

Ha!

Bus = Piedro's Car

I was talking about the days of yore mate, not the recent match-going experiences, where I've been fortunate enough to get some soft-as-shite Scouser to pick me up, and drive me everywhere for the entire weekend.

X

 

[grjt]

A great post Ry - mine was Birmingham city away (followed by Coventry City at anfield) but apart from that remarkably similar.

I do think there are more idiots at games now, but i think this applies to locals as much as OOTs. I think we should also be aware that there is a tendency to look back on the good old days through rose tinted glasses; even so, i dont believe we are "the most knowledgeable fans in football" anymore.

 

[leftpeg]

I went to my first Liverpool game when I was 9. At home to Spurs, in the driving rain, with Barnes getting the winner. In his celebration he ran straight over to where me and my Dad were sitting in the Paddock, it was brilliant. I remember everything: The rain, the taxi to Anfield from some bluenose driver, the club shop, the walk up the steps and seeing the pitch for the first time, Pat Van Den Hauwe picking a fight with Ronnie Whelan, and the tiny bit of grass that I managed to pluck from the pitch at the end. It was easily the best day of my life.

And going back to Anfield everytime since is still that same great wonderful experience. Just because I don't get to do it as often as you doesn't mean it matters any less, just that you're fortunate enough to have the means to do it, and go there every week.

Don't be under the impression that it doesn't affect us OOT'ers the same way mate. I still get the pangs of excitement churning my stomach before matchdays, I still avail of any opprtunity to watch anything red-related on the TV, and it does ruin my weekend everybit as much as yours if we lose. Only difference is, that you were there to endure it, I'm here.

What OOT'ers lose out on with regards to local pride, colloquialisms, 'real' support, and familiarity, we gain on so many other things. You for instance mate, will never understand the excitement that greets tickets arriving through the door of your gaff 3 weeks before a match. The flight to Liverpool. 'Liverpool'. Everything: the walk round town, buying the 'Echo', getting the bus to the game, talking about it afterwards. You lot don't appreciate that, for us it's special.

I dare say mate, that my knowledge of Liverpool football club over the last 15 years is every bit as good as yours, or anyone else's for that matter. I don't follow the club as a hobby mate, or a flight-of-fancy, I do it cos I love the team, just like you.

As for this "buying jester hats" bollox. Well, while I'm here I might as well argue that one too. When I first started going to games at an early age, Anfield was the only place you could buy anything LFC related. I'd save up for months before it, and buy everything my woeful little pocket money could afford: Flags, scarfs (I already had 3 on), pens (We were only allowed to use pencils in school), photos, programmes, videos, calendars, ties, fucking everything. All in that shitty wee shop that you queued for half an hour to get into, and never wanted to leave. That was as much part of the experience as the game itself.

Even to this day, I still walk into the club shop behind St. John's in town. For no other reason than to 'be a part of it.'

It mightn't be fashionable amongst the inner sanctum of 'Liverpoolites' to sport the gear, the scarfs, the pendants, and everything else - but for me as a lad I couldn't get enough of it. Am I now to think any less of any other little bright-eyed kid I see at the ground carrying round bags of memorabilia that he's forced his dad into buying 20 minutes prior in the club-shop? Am I bollox. By the same token, what about some group of lads that have come from Scandanavia solely to see the game? They've saved to get there, and enjoy the weekend better than any of you will. There the ones that'll be walking through town at 2am on a Sunday morning, bolloxed, signing about 'Ste Gerrard'. You Liverpudlians should be proud of that. Just cos they don't know the words to 'Poor Scouser Tommy' does that make them any less of a supporter than you? Does it fuck.

I won't even go into the commercial aspects of what our 'extra' support does for the club either mate.

I hope I've spoken for a few OOT'ers with this, cos I know I'm not greater a support than them, nor are you anymore dedicated to the cause than me mate. It matters just the same.

The only difference being that, form a football perspective, you're fortunate enough to live beside the club we both love.

This is an excellent post, in a very constructive and largely well-written thread.

I'm an OOTer and I've done the lot - home matches, away matches and the tourist thing with the family (the museum, shop, photos against the statue etc). I don't have a scouse accent and I really don't feel I need one to make my support known. I don't know how many matches I have been to and I fell no need to hazard a guess and then wear it as a badge of honour. I have never once felt anything but welcome and part of our amazing fan base. Whether that's been at Anfield, St James Park (the ground closest to 'home', Cardiff or anywhere else).

As I often do, I find myself agreeing with both Sheik (or at least understanding his sentiment) and with Ryan (as a fellow OOter). Maybe we feel some emotions on match day that you local lads take for granted. I'm in no doubt however that we have far more that binds us than divides us.

I've referred many times to the day out in Cardiff me and my lad had in May. Of all the truly amazing and memorable experiences of that day, one stands out more than any other for me. That was the reaction of the lads around us, all evidently Scousers, to my lad. High-fives, ruffling his hair, slapping him on the back. Regardless of where I'm from and where they were from, at that moment, there was nothing, absolutely nothing, different about what they were feeling and what I was feeling. They made me and the next generation of OOTer feel every bit as part of an amazing day in our club's history as they were.

 

[Ryan]

I went to my first Liverpool game when I was 9. At home to Spurs, in the driving rain, with Barnes getting the winner. In his celebration he ran straight over to where me and my Dad were sitting in the Paddock, it was brilliant. I remember everything: The rain, the taxi to Anfield from some bluenose driver, the club shop, the walk up the steps and seeing the pitch for the first time, Pat Van Den Hauwe picking a fight with Ronnie Whelan, and the tiny bit of grass that I managed to pluck from the pitch at the end. It was easily the best day of my life.

And going back to Anfield everytime since is still that same great wonderful experience. Just because I don't get to do it as often as you doesn't mean it matters any less, just that you're fortunate enough to have the means to do it, and go there every week.

Don't be under the impression that it doesn't affect us OOT'ers the same way mate. I still get the pangs of excitement churning my stomach before matchdays, I still avail of any opprtunity to watch anything red-related on the TV, and it does ruin my weekend everybit as much as yours if we lose. Only difference is, that you were there to endure it, I'm here.

What OOT'ers lose out on with regards to local pride, colloquialisms, 'real' support, and familiarity, we gain on so many other things. You for instance mate, will never understand the excitement that greets tickets arriving through the door of your gaff 3 weeks before a match. The flight to Liverpool. 'Liverpool'. Everything: the walk round town, buying the 'Echo', getting the bus to the game, talking about it afterwards. You lot don't appreciate that, for us it's special.

I dare say mate, that my knowledge of Liverpool football club over the last 15 years is every bit as good as yours, or anyone else's for that matter. I don't follow the club as a hobby mate, or a flight-of-fancy, I do it cos I love the team, just like you.

As for this "buying jester hats" bollox. Well, while I'm here I might as well argue that one too. When I first started going to games at an early age, Anfield was the only place you could buy anything LFC related. I'd save up for months before it, and buy everything my woeful little pocket money could afford: Flags, scarfs (I already had 3 on), pens (We were only allowed to use pencils in school), photos, programmes, videos, calendars, ties, fucking everything. All in that shitty wee shop that you queued for half an hour to get into, and never wanted to leave. That was as much part of the experience as the game itself.

Even to this day, I still walk into the club shop behind St. John's in town. For no other reason than to 'be a part of it.'

It mightn't be fashionable amongst the inner sanctum of 'Liverpoolites' to sport the gear, the scarfs, the pendants, and everything else - but for me as a lad I couldn't get enough of it. Am I now to think any less of any other little bright-eyed kid I see at the ground carrying round bags of memorabilia that he's forced his dad into buying 20 minutes prior in the club-shop? Am I bollox. By the same token, what about some group of lads that have come from Scandanavia solely to see the game? They've saved to get there, and enjoy the weekend better than any of you will. There the ones that'll be walking through town at 2am on a Sunday morning, bolloxed, signing about 'Ste Gerrard'. You Liverpudlians should be proud of that. Just cos they don't know the words to 'Poor Scouser Tommy' does that make them any less of a supporter than you? Does it fuck.

I won't even go into the commercial aspects of what our 'extra' support does for the club either mate.

I hope I've spoken for a few OOT'ers with this, cos I know I'm not greater a support than them, nor are you anymore dedicated to the cause than me mate. It matters just the same.

The only difference being that, form a football perspective, you're fortunate enough to live beside the club we both love.

This is an excellent post, in a very constructive and largely well-written thread.

I'm an OOTer and I've done the lot - home matches, away matches and the tourist thing with the family (the museum, shop, photos against the statue etc). I don't have a scouse accent and I really don't feel I need one to make my support known. I don't know how many matches I have been to and I fell no need to hazard a guess and then wear it as a badge of honour. I have never once felt anything but welcome and part of our amazing fan base. Whether that's been at Anfield, St James Park (the ground closest to 'home', Cardiff or anywhere else).

As I often do, I find myself agreeing with both Sheik (or at least understanding his sentiment) and with Ryan (as a fellow OOter). Maybe we feel some emotions on match day that you local lads take for granted. I'm in no doubt however that we have far more that binds us than divides us.

I've referred many times to the day out in Cardiff me and my lad had in May. Of all the truly amazing and memorable experiences of that day, one stands out more than any other for me. That was the reaction of the lads around us, all evidently Scousers, to my lad. High-fives, ruffling his hair, slapping him on the back. Regardless of where I'm from and where they were from, at that moment, there was nothing, absolutely nothing, different about what they were feeling and what I was feeling. They made me and the next generation of OOTer feel every bit as part of an amazing day in our club's history as they were.

Lovely post mate.

What a great start to the weekend this is turning out to be...

 

[Ace_of_Hearts]

I'm not scouse and only go to a handful of games a season, but If I were from Liverpool, or went to every home game, I'd be pretty pissed off with the influx of tourists at Anfield. You can see how this undercurrent of bitterness has been generated, scousers and out of towners, there's some serious tension, there, and it's surely only going to get worse and worse.

They come in all shapes and sizes, the Irish with jester hats, the familys with small kids and £90 worth of merchandise, the dead silent cockneys, the Welsh, those cnuts who cant even bring themselves to raise a scarf and sing YNWA, the camera brigade, the occasional yank, even the lads asking where the Kop is and whatshisfaces statue stands.....

It's embarrassing and must be absolutely gut wrenching for those scousers of the 60's and 70's who knew what a packed standing Kop full of scousers was like.

Pete stated the other day, he felt 80% of out of towners were having a negative impact on atmosphere at Anfield, from my limited experience, especially the last two homes games I went to, Reading and Villa, I think he's right.

Now, I know the songs, I love the club, understand the history and I contribute to the atmosphere, as a result, I'd genuinely like to believe I'm in that 20%. But without a scouse accent, I do wonder whether I'll ever truly feel 'part of it' on matchdays. Often, I've been tempted to shout something out, or start a chant, but I dont, for fear of my southern, middle class accent giving me away. It's a horrible feeling, but one I'm not sure I'll ever shake off.

I wanted to keep this post short and sweet, as much of it has already been covered by Mr VQ in the 'Other forum'.

So, out of towners, do you feel comfortable at Anfield, without a scouse accent ?

And scousers, do you just wish we'd fuck right off ?

I could write a thesis on this topic cos it really infuriates me, but I'm gonna keep it short and simple.

Have you any fcuking idea what is it like to support a love from afar for many years and when finally given the opportunity to see your love in its full pride and glory, you're met with an indifferent attitude that belittles and condescends your undying passion ?

It's like meeting your lover for the first time in a long distance relationship, only to be shunned and rejected at the last minute.

Think for one second. Without the financial contributions from the OTTs, will our club come to achieve the giant club status that it has now ? I can dare say we make up a big bulk of the percentages in terms of annual income. And yet, the scousers blindly deny this fact.

At a time when many fans voice their displeasure in our club not exploiting the advertising and merchandising rights abroad, wouldn't it be hypocritical of you lot by claiming OTTs are not very welcome at Anfield ?

That's fcuking bollocks to me.

Scousers who dislike OTTs are like fcuking racist right wing politicians who want a total ban on migrants. That's just very wrong and you all know it.

Instead, you scousers should be proud of your heritage and culture. That your forefathers were the ones that formed the club. You should feel honoured that it's your responsibility to educate us OTTs about the club and its history. Not moan and shoo us away.

We should be united together, OTTs, foreign fans and scousers and that we all share the same denominator ie. our hearts speak of Liverpool FC.

Liverpool FC - the best set of fans in the world ? Well you all better take a hard look at yourselves cos by raising such a silly irrelevant discussion in the first place, you're already not worthy to be part of this 'best set of fans in the world' group.

It's disrespectful and an insult to us OTTs.

So for all you xenophobes out there, you can kiss my ass and fcuk off.

Anfield belongs to all of us who bleeds red for the club, regardless of race, religion and culture.

YNWA.

 

[RafasShanksLC]

I think all OOT's should be banned from Anfield. We should make it a scouse love fest on match days.

:wink:

 

[livvy145]

Personally, I just can't see how The Club means as much to someone who goes once every blue moon as it does to someone like myself.

That, right there, is the only point I'm going to take umbrage with.

Vlad and AA have covered the topic at hand pretty well, and without really coming to a definitive conclusion, have said all that needs to be said.

Sheik, that's wrong mate.

I went to my first Liverpool game when I was 9. At home to Spurs, in the driving rain, with Barnes getting the winner. In his celebration he ran straight over to where me and my Dad were sitting in the Paddock, it was brilliant. I remember everything: The rain, the taxi to Anfield from some bluenose driver, the club shop, the walk up the steps and seeing the pitch for the first time, Pat Van Den Hauwe picking a fight with Ronnie Whelan, and the tiny bit of grass that I managed to pluck from the pitch at the end. It was easily the best day of my life.

And going back to Anfield everytime since is still that same great wonderful experience. Just because I don't get to do it as often as you doesn't mean it matters any less, just that you're fortunate enough to have the means to do it, and go there every week.

Don't be under the impression that it doesn't affect us OOT'ers the same way mate. I still get the pangs of excitement churning my stomach before matchdays, I still avail of any opprtunity to watch anything red-related on the TV, and it does ruin my weekend everybit as much as yours if we lose. Only difference is, that you were there to endure it, I'm here.

What OOT'ers lose out on with regards to local pride, colloquialisms, 'real' support, and familiarity, we gain on so many other things. You for instance mate, will never understand the excitement that greets tickets arriving through the door of your gaff 3 weeks before a match. The flight to Liverpool. 'Liverpool'. Everything: the walk round town, buying the 'Echo', getting the bus to the game, talking about it afterwards. You lot don't appreciate that, for us it's special.

I dare say mate, that my knowledge of Liverpool football club over the last 15 years is every bit as good as yours, or anyone else's for that matter. I don't follow the club as a hobby mate, or a flight-of-fancy, I do it cos I love the team, just like you.

As for this "buying jester hats" bollox. Well, while I'm here I might as well argue that one too. When I first started going to games at an early age, Anfield was the only place you could buy anything LFC related. I'd save up for months before it, and buy everything my woeful little pocket money could afford: Flags, scarfs (I already had 3 on), pens (We were only allowed to use pencils in school), photos, programmes, videos, calendars, ties, fucking everything. All in that shitty wee shop that you queued for half an hour to get into, and never wanted to leave. That was as much part of the experience as the game itself.

Even to this day, I still walk into the club shop behind St. John's in town. For no other reason than to 'be a part of it.'

It mightn't be fashionable amongst the inner sanctum of 'Liverpoolites' to sport the gear, the scarfs, the pendants, and everything else - but for me as a lad I couldn't get enough of it. Am I now to think any less of any other little bright-eyed kid I see at the ground carrying round bags of memorabilia that he's forced his dad into buying 20 minutes prior in the club-shop? Am I bollox. By the same token, what about some group of lads that have come from Scandanavia solely to see the game? They've saved to get there, and enjoy the weekend better than any of you will. There the ones that'll be walking through town at 2am on a Sunday morning, bolloxed, signngng about 'Ste Gerrard'. You Liverpudlians should be proud of that. Just cos they don't know the words to 'Poor Scouser Tommy' does that make them any less of a supporter than you? Does it fuck.

I won't even go into the commercial aspects of what our 'extra' support does for the club either mate.

I hope I've spoken for a few OOT'ers with this, cos I know I'm not greater a supporter than them, nor are you anymore dedicated to the cause than me mate. It matters just the same.

The only difference being that, form a football perspective, you're fortunate enough to live beside the club we both love.

Wow, hairs on back of neck moment.

Superbly written.

When I was younger, I did question why people from all over the country supported Liverpool and not their local team. Then I moved down South and for 13 years I met people who knew more about 'my' team than I did.

I now think, the more the merrier.