Topic: Wear Red, Bring a Scarf - Make the Kop Look Good Again

[NorthamptonKopite]

I really don't understand why more people don't take scarves and lift them high when you'll never walk alone is being sung.

I don't get the opportunity to go more than couple of times a season but everytime I do whether it's boiling hot or freezing cold I will take my scarf (most of the time it's freezing anyway)

It's disappointing to see the lack of red in the stands especially during you'll never walk alone, it should be a sea of red scarves. People take pride in us being great supporters, even people who go regularly but dont add to that colour or atmosphere, but continue to point the fingers at others. 

I guess all you can do when you go to the game is think how you yourself are adding to that special atmosphere, as you can't make people do stuff. The fact is though there can't be a liverpool fan who goes to the ground every week who doesnt love to revel in the atmosphere, but it takes fans to make it too, so anyone who enjoys it should be doing what they can to add to it aswell.

[tbonejones]

Similar to the debate that's been had in the atmosphere thread, only about appearance rather than singing. The problem is attitudes.

Some people think those that wear shirts to the games look like twats and don't wear red.
Some people are aware of this and don't want to look like a twat to those people.
Some people wear red and don't give a shit.
Some people couldn't give a shit what they wear and won't see the point in this.

But I do agree - having a better looking Kop and ground would be great, and it might inspire a bit more noise. Especially after a nice loud YNWA at the start with loads and loads of scarfs.

Nothing to moan about here. It's a personal choice, but it won't hurt for people to get on board.

I've just been wearing a hoody or coat to the game and my only bit of red's been my scarf (except when it's cold and my ears turn a nice scarlet) but this has made me realise it would be good to start wearing a jersey again.

[red dean]

And it's nothing to do with mocking others as is being said. It's to do with liverpool fans travelling Europe and bringing the latest fashions back when it couldn't be bought in England  and so all wearing this type of clothing to the match

[Yorkykopite]

Yeah, it's fucking odd. I don't know of any other clubs where this goes on.

No, it goes on at Chelsea and Tottenham. It's not just a Liverpool thing, as much as some Liverpool fans would like to think of it as such.

[JTK]

No, it goes on at Chelsea and Tottenham. It's not just a Liverpool thing, as much as some Liverpool fans would like to think of it as such.

I try to stay away from anything to do with the culture of those two clubs to be honest. I'll have to take your word for it.

I don't know if anyone 'likes' thinking that it just goes on at Anfield, strange thing to say.

[Drinks Sangria]

Mocked is probably too strong a word, but there's a massive football-supporting snobbery within our fanbase.

Agreed. Don't really understand this, to be honest. I don't always wear the kit myself (just the jersey, never the whole kit) but I usually take a scarf or wear something red. In the end, it's the quality of support that matters, but it is boss when the kop is a sea of red.

I don't know why people feel the need to bash someone or mock them for wearing the replica, it's a show of support, and at the end of the day, helps get those players out onto the pitch. I know it's seen as 'wool' behaviour or maybe upsetting people's socialist sensibilities, but the bigger picture is that the wearer is just showing support. They are proud to be seen as a Liverpool fan. Surely that's a good thing.

[Yorkykopite]

I try to stay away from anything to do with the culture of those two clubs to be honest. I'll have to take your word for it.

Well I'm deeply immersed in them of course. So, yeah, you'll have to take my word for it.

[Snail]

I'd wager that people being concerned about their appearance, spending the match having a giggle at wools and generally making people feel a bit uncomfortable have a considerably larger impact on the atmosphere than some shirts and scarves do. I personally think it's fucking childish.

[geth7]

I don't wear football shirts as I think they're for kids but that's just my opinion. It doesn't bother me that other people wear Liverpool shirts and I would never give anyone stick for wearing one.

[gazzam1963]

And it's nothing to do with mocking others as is being said. It's to do with liverpool fans travelling Europe and bringing the latest fashions back when it couldn't be bought in England  and so all wearing this type of clothing to the match

Pretty much this reason , form 78 onwards going the match was not just about the game it was about fashion and being seen at the game too , suppose similar to the mods inn the 60s . As well as no colours there were boundaries inside  the ground too with most of the non colour wearings lads going in the anfield road ...again a place to be seen . And it's continued ever since you go to pubs around the ground after the match and most scousers of a certain age 40 -55 certainly won't be wearing colours and never will have since around 78

[muyuu]

As long as you support I don't think it matters much what do you wear, to be honest.

[Wrigley]

Hopefully someone can come in and answer your question mate.

Not one to give a shit about who wears what me, it goes on though.

Personally I think being against the official shirt is too divisive. Traditionally Liverpool fans would not wear a shirt (before replica became popular) and I think backlash against the shirt is backlash against the Club Corporate Machine.

To be fair though Anfield has a more interesting cultural identity than simply the club shirt.

Our Ultra's back in the day (at the birth of the casual movement) would wear Adidas Trainees (Often robbed from boutiques on the continent on European Away trips) Levi 501 jeans and a cagoule with a sharp haircut.

[Zlen]

If I had a chance to visit Anfield I'd paint my child red and hold her high all game long as she sings.

[Wrigley]

Sadly wearing a shirt or carrying a scarf has been ridiculed by all regular match goers I know for years now. As a result people act like sheep and bow to peer pressure. I can understand no colours to away games but this modern trend of no colours at all is extremely disappointing.  Perhaps if we got Fred Perry to make our kit we could get rid of this childish trend.

Don't think I've ever encountered a red ripping into someone for wearing a scarf or encountered that opinion.

[Upinsmoke]

I've only got a scarf. Don't see nothing wrong with it and I think to hold it up when ynwa plays is sufficient. I think if everyone did that it'd be a pretty good sight and would inspire.

[JTK]

The fact of the matter is, yes we do see ourselves as 'better' than the cockneys clubs, and the other team down the M62. That's fine, we are!

However, snobbery over other Liverpool supporters is another thing entirely.

This colours/scarfs attitude is just another thing dividing us as a fanbase at the moment, which in turn contributes to a worse atmosphere.

It's not a massive issue but when you add it to other things then it becomes one if you care about the atmosphere at games.

I know it's seen as 'wool' behaviour or maybe upsetting people's socialist sensibilities, but the bigger picture is that the wearer is just showing support. They are proud to be seen as a Liverpool fan. Surely that's a good thing.

Exactly, It's not what you wear but how you carry it. No less of a fan either way. I don't wear a shirt myself as I'm a flashy bastard, but if people do then it does no harm at all.

Well I'm deeply immersed in them of course. So, yeah, you'll have to take my word for it.

I wasn't trying to be sarcy or anything mate.

[Wrigley]

I'd wager that people being concerned about their appearance, spending the match having a giggle at wools and generally making people feel a bit uncomfortable have a considerably larger impact on the atmosphere than some shirts and scarves do. I personally think it's fucking childish.

I think this situation only exists, to any significant degree, in this forum.

[red dean]

Pretty much this reason , form 78 onwards going the match was not just about the game it was about fashion and being seen at the game too , suppose similar to the mods inn the 60s . As well as no colours there were boundaries inside  the ground too with most of the non colour wearings lads going in the anfield road ...again a place to be seen . And it's continued ever since you go to pubs around the ground after the match and most scousers of a certain age 40 -55 certainly won't be wearing colours and never will have since around 78

Exactly. People are constantly saying get back to the way things were.
Doesn't this mean not wearing colours and being casual?

[AJS]

The poor atmosphere has nothing to do with people not wearing colours. It has never been the thing to do for lads going the game, whether you agree with that or not, it is simply fact. I don't and nobody I go the game with does either, other than a scarf when it's freezing. I suppose it's a culture thing. I personally cringe when I see grown men in football shirts(unless they are playing obviously), and it's the same if a person has a terrible pair of webs on. But as long as they come and sing I couldn't care less really, I certainly wouldn't make somebody feel uncomfortable because of what they chose to wear. However us all sitting their head to toe in LFC merchandise would have no effect on the atmosphere in anyway.

[Giovanni]

I look around me in despair during our anthem as I see "supporters" on the Kop with no team colours on show and no scarf

It might not have been your intention, but you can fuck off with that attitude.

Considering by your own admission, you don't get the game very often, it's fucking cheeky to insinuate these people are not real supporters because they aren't decked head to toe in red and white.

I don't take a scarf. I haven't taken a scarf since I was a kid. It's a fucking pain to carry around the pub afterwards.

But there's a reality check coming: the manager and certain players had, through the media, asked - yes, actively asked - the fans to provide the historic Anfield atmosphere to help drag the team over the line. From what I know of the great man, Shanks would be so sad to think things had got that bad.

Again, you fuck off with that attitude.

The idea of some fella who gets to a handful of matches a season preaching to me about what I should wear, or how I should support my club, is not going to win me over.

, or wear a home shirt over your hoodie. Don't cover your red top.

Jesus fucking christ. 

Wearing replica shirts is just not the 'done thing' by those who follow LFC everywhere - as it paints a massive fucking target on your back.

I admire where you are coming from, but the tone of that post is fucking awful.

[jdpapa3]

The Kop will become Red again when we are conquering Europe once more.

I think that the point the OP made particularly well was that our support could do a little something to push us into Europe. I've been trying to pinpoint the home/away differences for years and one of the few conclusions I have come to is that there are certain players that do absolutely get fueled by positive and palpable energy from the crowd. Opposing players and even referees can brick it under intense crowds as well.

[Lenin.]

You can pretend to be in Green Street if you dont wear a Liverpool shirt.

[red dean]

You can pretend to be in Green Street if you dont wear a Liverpool shirt.

And you can pretend to be a nobhead by saying things like that.

So are you saying our fan base since 78, when the casual culture started have been trying to pretend they are on green street

[CraigDS]

And you can pretend to be a nobhead by saying things like that.

So are you saying our fan base since 78, when the casual culture started have been trying to pretend they are on green street

Whoosh.

[John C]

To be fair to the OP I was there on Saturday and it was the least Red I've probably ever seen the Kop. Good job there was a few flags on the go.

[CraigDS]

To be fair to the OP I was there on Saturday and it was the least Red I've probably ever seen the Kop. Good job there was a few flags on the go.

Agreed. It's the first time I've really taken note of the lack of them on the Kop if I'm honest. I've always noticed a lack of them, but Saturday there really weren't many on there.

[IanZG]

Just having a part of the stadium/arena wear the same colors can look amazing to a specator. I was most impressed when I recently watched a home game of the Ukranian hockey club Donbass Donetsk and they had a whole part of the arena (I guess around 1 or 2 thousand people, mostly young men and women) all wearing club jerseys, it looked brilliant and they created a great atmosphere, singing and jumping and all that. Not saying this is what should be done with the Kop, but people need to stop making fun of those wearing club colors/shirts/kits, it just adds to the negativity...

[Wullie160975]

Just having a part of the stadium/arena wear the same colors can look amazing to a specator. I was most impressed when I recently watched a home game of the Ukranian hockey club Donbass Donetsk and they had a whole part of the arena (I guess around 1 or 2 thousand people, mostly young men and women) all wearing club jerseys, it looked brilliant and they created a great atmosphere, singing and jumping and all that. Not saying this is what should be done with the Kop, but people need to stop making fun of those wearing club colors/shirts/kits, it just adds to the negativity...

I agree on the colour thing. Look at the yellow in the far left corner in this pic for an example

[RedTriumph]

It might not have been your intention, but you can fuck off with that attitude.

Considering by your own admission, you don't get the game very often, it's fucking cheeky to insinuate these people are not real supporters because they aren't decked head to toe in red and white.

I don't take a scarf. I haven't taken a scarf since I was a kid. It's a fucking pain to carry around the pub afterwards. Again, you fuck off with that attitude.

The idea of some fella who gets to a handful of matches a season preaching to me about what I should wear, or how I should support my club, is not going to win me over.
Jesus fucking christ. 

Wearing replica shirts is just not the 'done thing' by those who follow LFC everywhere - as it paints a massive fucking target on your back.

I admire where you are coming from, but the tone of that post is fucking awful.

Unfortunately, I live over 240 miles from Anfield, yet I missed just three home matches in all competitions last season. Just because I admitted I didn't make it to the last match doesn't mean I don't travel to Anfield regularly. During my current spell of unemployment I've increased my level of debt to follow the Reds. So, enough of your presumptions, thank you.

Taking a scarf to the match and having to hold it in the pub afterwards isn't exactly a sacrifice, is it? I travel for eight hours each match day, often suffering with a painful back for days afterwards. But it doesn't matter to me, because I'm doing for Liverpool Football Club. Anyway, the only people I'm suggesting aren't genuine supporters are those people who don't sing to support their team. If you do sing, well done and keep it up. If you can find a way to show visual support it'd be even better.

[Jrkopite]

To be honest, the sight of a grown man in a modern replica shirt is not one of my favourite things but I do like the old cotton 60s efforts. Wouldn't wear one myself mind, I do think football shirts are for footballers and kids.
The problem with this discussion is people trying to dictate to other people, feck that. The Kop is what it is, it has unfortunately moved with the times. There's no groups of young lads all together getting the songs going, it's a mixed bag on the Kop nowadays. That's modern football, unfortunately. I mean, iPads at the game?
If you think everyone's going to turn up all decked out in red you don't understand this clubs support.
I thought last Saturday was quite good atmosphere wise, cracking goals anyway.
When, or if, we get back to actually challenging for the league and the European cup you'll see the difference. Everyone looks back with rose tinted glasses, it wasn't always a cauldron at Anfield. It's the run of the mill games and atmospheres that make the great ones stand out and mean something.
I mean on the way to the ground against West Brom I wasn't excited at all to be honest, but at that Chelsea semi in 2005 I was like a little kid at Christmas. That's just the way it is.

[Almo]

I've never bought a shirt, firstly they were always a rip off and I never liked the look, but a scarf is a must for me.

[usernamefc]

I don't get what people are complaining about, nobody is asking you to wear a full LFC merchandised clothing head to toe (even if you make it out that way), just that you wear some red, yeah, not everyone will, but the more wearing red then the more it will look like a sea of red.

Don't want to, don't, but don't act like the OP is trying to take away your right to wear what you want.

[GOD-9]

Great post. Never go to a game without my scarf and never will. There's fewer things that anger me more in this world than the wankers who stand there arms folded during YNWA not uttering a single word, my question for them is what the fuck are you doing there? Fuck off and give your ticket to somebody who wants to be there.

Home fans make a massive difference, it doesn't take a genius to work that out. So people who go to games and don't open their mouths I just can't get my head around at all.

[Mutton Geoff]

Some of them these days would be looking for red scarf Ap on their phones.

[brownie 09]

Some of them these days would be looking for red scarf Ap on their phones.

hahaha ipad held high above there head.

[Garstonite]

I think people feel it's pointless trying to match the Dortmund crowd. They're so far in advance of what Liverpool are capable of doing (unless it's Liverpool fans in Melbourne or Thailand). The Kop spirit moved on years ago.

To a Liverpool fan in Melbourne and Thailand, it's a one-off. It's a special moment. To a Liverpool fan who goes regularly, it loses its spark and you kind of become resentful of the whole affair when you're shelling out £50 minimum every other week. The spirit hasn't been moved on, it's been ripped from us.

[EstonianRed]

To a Liverpool fan in Melbourne and Thailand, it's a one-off. It's a special moment. To a Liverpool fan who goes regularly, it loses its spark and you kind of become resentful of the whole affair when you're shelling out £50 minimum every other week. The spirit hasn't been moved on, it's been ripped from us.

If you are paying 50 quids, then this itself is a reason to support your team in every way.

[Garstonite]

If you are paying 50 quids, then this itself is a reason to support your team in every way.

Consumers have more expectations than supporters.

[andy07]

The atmosphere at Anfield is dire for most matches except Utd and Everton.   I try and make as many aways as possible where you can guarantee that the singing will be loud and proud, but the make up of the crowd at aways is mainly Scousers which adds to the sense of identity.     Taking a scarf routinely to the match has not been vogue since the late 70s, as described on several other posts here; having said that you take the same group of lads to a big European match or cup final and then the scarves will be out.  Without being disrespectful to our many fans from across the globe, going to Anfield is just not what it was, anyone who attends the midweek league games in December / January when we struggle to sell out will notice the difference in the crowd demographics with a more Scouse feel. If you want the Kop to roar consistently then lower the prices and get more locals at the ground. Oh and I still wear Adidas trainees at the match, call me an auld arse if you like.

[choyser]

I'm not one for buying/wearing replica kits myself, but my son wears one when he goes, although I had to draw the line at his Nike air max things the last time we went and made him wear his Adidas trainers. I only get to a few games each season and had no idea I could be ridiculed for wearing my scarf, it is a pain to carry it but I do so simply for you'll never walk alone. There are many contributing factors to making the atmosphere at matches but more scarves isn't necessarily going to make a big difference apart from the visual effect, I always believed it was flags and banners that set us aside from other clubs particularly those (Chelsea, Arsenal) who have "flag bearers" positioned in the ground.

I don't really give a fiddlers what people choose to wear to games, if someone wants to wear a replica shirt then so be it, it is there way of showing support but anyone wearing a fucking jester hat should kicked out on their arse and banned.