Author Topic: So, you're a Red, but why? (Read 88813 times)

Sub · « **Reply #120 on:** July 28, 2006, 12:49:57 am »

Nothing to do with my family at all, they don't even like football that much, whereas i did. Liverpool were sort of local, and i liked the red of the kits when i was young, and i liked jamie redknapp and robbie fowler, so bought the kit, watched some games and started supporting. Then i realised my hatred for Man Utd, then i realised everton were from liverpool aswell, but they were shite

and i had been supporting liverpool and wasn't going to be a traitor, or a gloryhunter so stuck with it. And i'm fucking glad that i did

LucyjaneLFC · « **Reply #121 on:** July 28, 2006, 01:04:05 am »

Only one answer I can give.....

BORN
AND
BRED
A
RED

bert20 · « **Reply #122 on:** July 28, 2006, 01:24:29 am »

Well, I saw the great comeback against Manchester Milan in the Istanbul Arena and I decided that nothing could be more fun than driving life long reds from their seats by bringing my entire family up from London every game. Not that we'd do any of that thuggish singing of course.

OF · « **Reply #123 on:** July 28, 2006, 01:45:21 am »

One of those glory hunting bandwagen jumpers

Seriously, being from Nottingham it was either Div 4 County or Cloughies Forest.
Neither could compete with Liverpool 30 plus years ago.

ryana83 · « **Reply #124 on:** July 28, 2006, 03:34:11 am »

Well, I grew up from small ages in Liverpool -- Sydney, Australia.

The only football on TV was the premier league -- so I went for the team I was from!!

MBL? · « **Reply #125 on:** July 28, 2006, 04:09:27 am »

And the then there was a page of shite!

benwilling · « **Reply #126 on:** July 28, 2006, 04:31:44 am »

I'm from Sydney, Australia.
Craig Johnston is the reason I follow Liverpool.

Back when I was a kid FA Cup Finals were the only matches shown live on TV over here (we also got the League highlights show).

My 2 main footballing memories from my childhood were:
The 1986 FA Cup Final and Johnston scoring the 2nd goal
AND
Having that goal disallowed (when advantage was not given to us) in the 1989 Cup Final and Wimbledon going on to win and the feeling of being robbed by the referee.

Xabinator · « **Reply #127 on:** July 28, 2006, 04:56:36 am »

Hey Reds,

This is my first post on this site, I've enjoyed reading everyones posts for a while now and thought 'Fuck it-I'll put my two bobs worth in'

I supported the Reds formally since 2000 when I came to Anfield to see us draw 0-0 with Rapid Bucharest in a Uefa Cup tie. No goals was disappointing but geez the crowd were amazing. It was the first of many times I've had goosebumps hearing YNWA. Could certainly teach us Aussies a thing or two about passion. (We're gettin' better though) Before that, they were one of few clubs I knew anything about, simply because League coverage in Australia was minimal, so I'd only ever really heard about Skippy and his FA Cup exploits.

Now, I'm seemingly like most of you guys. I am on this site, Koptalk, liverpoolfc.tv, soccernet, etc etc etc trying to find out when we are going to sign a fucking gun!!!

Carn the Reds

Julio · « **Reply #128 on:** July 28, 2006, 07:48:27 am »

watching hillsborough on the tv when i was 9

2dogs in LA · « **Reply #129 on:** July 28, 2006, 08:20:44 am »

My dad is a RED. He went to every home game from when he was seven. In the Kop. Alone at first but then discovered he was packed among friends sometimes numbering nearly one hundred thousand (according to easily believable folk-law).
He went alone as the rest of his family, older and younger brothers and sisters (six in all with mostly, apart from Brian, blue nose spouses), were blue noses. Apart from his mother who was Italian. Lucia. She "advised" he keep his eye on The Reds. "Don't go with them." she would say, "They are always moaning and bitter when they come home! The game should make you feel better! Not worse!"
I think this meant more to her back then as an immigrant family making the most of life in The Bullring than it did to me as a five year old going to a night game against Manchester City without a ticket but by my dads side. He did funny knocks on doors, strange nods, odd winks and smiling hand-shakes and we ended up in the Kop. We nearly had no choice but the City end until I was used as an undeniable reason for that being a bad idea. It was a good job in the end as five Liverpool fans were stabbed in there that night.
We ended up getting season tickets in the Kemlyn. Second row. seats 126 and 127. "Eye-level with Bob see!" We knew "Bob" when I was eight years old 'cos we would sit with him and some of the players at a car dealer's that was a friend of ours that put "The Lad's" bets on for them.
"See the game just the same as Kenny and see what you would do" my dad would say as Les behind us bit into his pie too soon and burnt himself with the fat that poured out of them if you bit before kick-off. As he did EVERY week!
Sitting there listening to what people could say to players that would bring a laugh out of one to two thousand people in the immediate vicinity. The magic performed by Greats right in-front of your eyes. The tactical maneuvers acted out and switched. The subtleties like Paul Walsh sparking Bond right out 'cos he'd spat at him.
And then... ...THE SINGING!
We sang!!!
Songs!!!!
Full songs with verses and choruses and melodies. Melodies that I have found out only recently that are not easy to sing!! We sang so well that PINK FUCKIN" FLOYD put it on vinyl!
The Kop used to ask the stands for a song and they got one. We would even ask for a song from the away fans and usually got one.
We would sing out as one (eventually as one. The distance between one end of the ground and the other meant we had to persist for a short while with singing out of time but once it clicked... FUCK!) to the players. One by one. Singing their names surrounded by words of joy and praise.
Then we sang for the team and what it stood for. We sang what it meant to us that "The Lads" do us right. And when they did, we sang more.
When we got home, the game had made us feel better, not worse. Mostly!!!
I'm a RED for what LIVERPOOL FC stood for. It lost it for me (a bit and reluctantly) from Souness to That Mad Frenchman. Now it's back.
I hope that explains it a little 'cos I can't be arsed typing anymore. It takes me fuckin' ages!

anfieldpurch · « **Reply #130 on:** July 28, 2006, 08:49:25 am »

My first shirt i got when i was young was liverpool and me uncle took me there when i was young so thats why i support them

Ulster_Red · « **Reply #131 on:** July 28, 2006, 08:54:27 am »

I'm from Northern Ireland, but i don't really know why I am a red, I just am. My earliest memory of watching Liverpool was the 1992 FA cup Semi-Final replay v Portsmouth. I vividly remeber John Barnes free kisck against the crossbar and Ronnie Whelan tapping in the re-bound in the dying minutes of extra time.

phoenixblood · « **Reply #132 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:04:57 am »

i'm south african born, living in london, my old man was born in liverpool, with brothers and sisters all reds. i thank him every day for being born a red scouser....EVERY DAY!!!!!

vikkiashton · « **Reply #133 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:12:31 am »

My boyfriends a red and I enjoyed watching there games which recently made me a red!

diplomatique · « **Reply #134 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:18:09 am »

For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not, no explanation will be enough.

I can't express in words why I love this club so much, but I'll forever be thankful that I do. The closest I ever came to explaining my love of LFC was this: http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=123919.msg1987854#msg1987854

phoenixblood · « **Reply #135 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:20:30 am »

Quote from: diplomatique on July 28, 2006, 10:18:09 am

For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not, no explanation will be enough.

I can't express in words why I love this club so much, but I'll forever be thankful that I do. The closest I ever came to explaining my love of LFC was this: http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=123919.msg1987854#msg1987854

Really well said......

only6times · « **Reply #136 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:20:40 am »

Quote from: Des Lynam on July 27, 2006, 08:05:46 pm

This thread is actually quite depressing....

in a kind of"my god we've got a huge amount of glory hunters and that's why it's murder getting tickets for my son and nephews who are from liverpool "way.or was it another reason?

Raul! · « **Reply #137 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:22:39 am »

Quote from: only5times on July 28, 2006, 10:20:40 am

in a kind of"my god we've got a huge amount of glory hunters and that's why it's murder getting tickets for my son and nephews who are from liverpool "way.or was it another reason?

Don't imagine that would be the resaon for Des.

stjohns · « **Reply #138 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:30:49 am »

Played footy with Emlyn when I was a kid. We had a huge green in the middle of our estate and he used to train on it on Sundays in his black Liverpool tracksuit with a beautiful red Liver Bird on it.
Need I say more?

Kennys from heaven · « **Reply #139 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:32:52 am »

Liverpool were the first team I ever saw on TV (FA Cup final in 1974). Left such an impression on me that I followed them from that stage on (Christ! What if it had been Chelsea I'd seen first!? Or even worse - Everton!? Don't bear thinking about...) Plus the furore over Shanks leaving afterwards just captivated me and that was it from then on in!

Good to say that my eldest son has got the bug, so I'm pretty sure that I've started a legacy that will last as well!

Stretch Armstrong · « **Reply #140 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:38:53 am »

I believe everything I read so when I was younger I read a quote that there was only 2 teams on Merseyside Liverpool and Liverpool Reserve - much to my dismay I have recently heard there is a team called Everton which I never realised I could support

Alas its too late for me now - I'll just have to support the Reds

[new username under construction] · « **Reply #141 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:39:00 am »

Same as a lot of others i suppose, ran in the family and just continued from birth

themn · « **Reply #142 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:41:06 am »

'77 FA Cup Final.

The Scum came out wearing hooded tops.
Liverpool in baseball jackets.

I preferred the baseball jackets.

We lost.

Didn't care.

Jimmy Case scored the best goal.

You can't help who you fall in love with !

Father Ted · « **Reply #143 on:** July 28, 2006, 11:02:12 am »

zx81 · « **Reply #144 on:** July 28, 2006, 11:02:56 am »

You should have seen the little one's eye's light up when I told him,

Son, thats A real fans seat your sat on there.

I turn to his grandad and he told me that I to brought I tear to his eye when he 1st saw me standing on a real fans seat waving my st George's flag around...

Bye, from all the oot seat stealing st George's flag waving part time fans

shanklygateslfc · « **Reply #145 on:** July 28, 2006, 11:04:30 am »

was 7 years old, got a packet of candy cigarettes with a jan molby collectors card in the box and that was it, followed the reds ever since. goes against the grain with the rest of my family as my dad and brother are mancs.

Stretch Armstrong · « **Reply #146 on:** July 28, 2006, 11:05:10 am »

Quote from: zx81 on July 28, 2006, 11:02:56 am

You should have seen the little one's eye's light up when I told him,

Son, thats A real fans seat your sat on there.

I turn to his grandad and he told me that I to brought I tear to his eye when he 1st saw me standing on a real fans seat waving my st George's flag around...

Bye, from all the oot seat stealing st George's flag waving part time fans

I am simply confused!

Tuesday · « **Reply #147 on:** July 28, 2006, 11:36:01 am »

All dad's side are blue. All mum's side are red. Whole street seemed to be red back in the eighties. My mum got angry at my dad possibly trying to influence me to be blue and I just happened to choose the right side.

davefly76 · « **Reply #148 on:** July 28, 2006, 12:13:45 pm »

the first game i ever watched on telly was the 86 fa cup final. knowing nothing about football (i had almost chosen the mancs and i had a pair of ipswich sweatbands!!) i just wanted liverpool to win that game. i didn't even know it was cup final.

i've been red through and through since then

tazman74 · « **Reply #149 on:** July 28, 2006, 12:35:08 pm »

I still remember it. Growing up in Northern Ireland in the early eighties wasn't a laugh but a bright light shone in my life the day my old man got tickets for a pre-season friendly between the local club, Glentoran, and the mighty reds. I didn't follow any club then but that changed that day.

It was 19/04/82 and I was eight years old. I was on top of my dad's shoulders in the rickety Oval stadium in east Belfast watching the Champions of Europe! For once the stadium was packed and I was watching the best players in Europe - gods in Red - Hansen ,Souness, Rush! And incredibly Glentoran held them 1-1.

It didn't matter, I was captivated by LFC. And in a country where nearly every SOB supports Man Urinals (George Best, Norman Whiteside etc. blah blah) I'm bloody proud that I got hooked that day.

Des Lynam · « **Reply #150 on:** July 28, 2006, 12:38:28 pm »

Quote from: only5times on July 28, 2006, 10:20:40 am

in a kind of"my god we've got a huge amount of glory hunters and that's why it's murder getting tickets for my son and nephews who are from liverpool "way.or was it another reason?

Nah, nothing to do with tickets or otherwize, it's just kind of sad to read, I dunno why.

The 5th Benitle · « **Reply #151 on:** July 28, 2006, 12:42:44 pm »

Quote from: bert20 on July 28, 2006, 01:24:29 am

Well, I saw the great comeback against Manchester Milan in the Istanbul Arena and I decided that nothing could be more fun than driving life long reds from their seats by bringing my entire family up from London every game. Not that we'd do any of that thuggish singing of course.

In answer to the original question...My Dad is a red, used to stand on the Kop probably about the same time as M. Houllier did. I was brought up to be a Liverpool fan and I'm damn glad I was.

zx81 · « **Reply #152 on:** July 28, 2006, 12:59:37 pm »

Quote from: only5times on July 28, 2006, 10:20:40 am

in a kind of"my god we've got a huge amount of glory hunters and that's why it's murder getting tickets for my son and nephews who are from liverpool "way.or was it another reason?

me and my family are born and bread in notts, between us we have 4 season tickets..

Do ya like that!!!

Mark Walters · « **Reply #153 on:** July 28, 2006, 01:24:29 pm »

I came to England in 1979 and started school in June (after the end of the season obviously). As the new kid in primary school the other boys wanted to know a bit about me and the playground at lunchtime was the first chance they had to do that.

One of the first questions was "Do you play footie?". "Yes" I said even though I'd never seen the game or kicked a ball in my life. The next question was "What team do you support?". I er'd and uhhmm'd for a couple of seconds then they all started naming teams. This was London so as you can expect I heard "Arsenal", "Spurs", "QPR", "Chelsea", "West Ham" as well as the likes of Man U being shouted at random. In amongst them was of course "Liverpool". To this day I don't know why but I said "Yeah, them!" And this was greeted with cheers of approval. I though "I'd better find out what Liverpool are all about". At the time there wasn't much football on TV so it was only when I picked up a copy of Shoot (or it may have been Match - can't remember which) that I really started to get into the team.

My first live match was against West Ham at Upton Park in 88 (I think it was) and I saw a lot of away games in London during 88-91. Don't get to Anfield as much as I'd like but my love's grown stronger ever since that first live game. I'd love to move the Liverpool at some point in the future just to be close to the team and the people. Hopefully the missus will be up for it too even though she's already a football widow!

Marcus6 · « **Reply #154 on:** July 28, 2006, 01:28:28 pm »

Well, i'm not a red, but from a West Ham point of view, it's a parent thing.

All the family came from the east end, so i've got claret and blue blood.

Although i'm an honourary scouser through friends, and that the Reds aren't dodgy, diving, cheating, scumbags (cue the Arse, Yids and Chelsea), thus i like them.

The Gulleysucker · « **Reply #155 on:** July 28, 2006, 05:09:28 pm »

I don't think my supporting Liverpool was ever a conscious decision or that choice even came into it, it was just something that seemed to be totally natural, and like Topsy, it just grew. While there is a danger of this sounding like a "Yorkshire Man" sketch, or the ramblings of some old git, I'll try to explain.

I was born and raised the far end of Melwood Drive, where one of my early memories is from about 1959/60 when I was 4 or 5, going up Minver Road, then up the path between the old terraced houses on the bend, past the small pig farm and bingo, me and a few other lads were playing togga on the training grounds...until an old feller with a flat cap would come storming towards us when we would leg it. Sometimes though, our presence was tolerated if we would just sit in the long grass at the edge of the pitch, watching the players train, and returning the ball if it ever came our way. From little acorns....

My late Dad, though not really fanatical about football, had been born and raised in Kemlyn Road back in the 20's-30's so I also used to visit my Nan there until she died in about 1964. On a few occasions, my Dad took me to see reserve matches there but all I recall of those matches is vague memories of cavernous corrugated iron roofs on the stands.

However, everywhere I went as a kid reinforced LFC in me, our local news agents was even run by Alan Arnell, and seemingly to me everything on the news at the time in the early 60's was all just 'Liverpool' and it was like we were at the centre of the Universe. I mean, no one ever said on the news that the Beatles came from Everton did they? Those of you who grew up in Liverpool at that time like me will probably understand what I'm saying.
(Sounds stupid, but I don't think I even knew that Everton existed on the same planet until about 1965 when I saw names like Trebilcock scrawled on other kids satchels at school. Bet they're sorry now!)

There also just seemed to be a palpable sense of great things in the offing surrounding LFC which all served to reinforce my love of the club, amply rewarded since.

I left Melwood Drive in 67 and have travelled quite a bit since then, and unfortunately have little opportunity to get to matches now, but like so many of the Scouse Diaspora, or at least half of them, LFC will always have my support. Red till I'm dead.

My teenage son, despite being born and raised here in darkest Devon, is also devout LFC. Couldn't be any other way I suppose.

rob1966 · « **Reply #156 on:** July 28, 2006, 05:25:55 pm »

Born in Walton, Dad was a Red, Mum a Red, 99 % of the family was Red (Auntie married a Bluenose), claimed as a Red before I was born..

lfcwembley · « **Reply #157 on:** July 28, 2006, 05:28:25 pm »

Born in Wembley Live in Wembley, Hardly had a choice now did I!!!

Kazuya_UK · « **Reply #158 on:** July 28, 2006, 05:57:24 pm »

Big brother is a red, so he convinced me to see the light before my dad managed to turn me into a Leicester fan (my home town). Been supporting the team for over 20 years, since I was four

Kaz

cornish exile · « **Reply #159 on:** July 28, 2006, 08:39:43 pm »

back in 1968(i was

one sunday looking through the papers i decided it was
time to support a football team.closed my eyes,moved my finger down the page,stopped,opened my eyes,my finger was on liverpool. true story.so been a red for 38 years now,saw my first game at anfield in 1971 against blackpool. 2-2 result.a birthday treat for my 11th.
because ive travelled almost all my life my visists to anfield and away games have been limited compared to some on here.i reckon ive seen us live up to 100 plus times the years,mostly at anfield between 1977 and 1980 when my dad left the airforce and we moved to st.helens(his home town)and before i went off to work in germany.
was back home for a year between 1987/88 and again was at anfield for most of that time when we played at home.
will always suppot the reds,i have the liverbird tattooed on my arm but from afar now.cant afford the cost these days.