Author Topic: The Kop’s Last Stand 10 years ago today  (Read 12177 times)

Offline pee-jay

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The Kop’s Last Stand 10 years ago today
« on: April 30, 2004, 09:35:34 am »
Ten years ago today, the world famous terrace, the Kop at Anfield saw its last competitive match against Norwich City. The most powerful 12th man, a sea of scarves, flags and banners, accompanied by the massed chorus of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

On that day before kick-off the chant of “Shankly, Shankly” filled the air, followed by “Paisley, Paisley”, whose ill-health prevented him from being there. Then the Kop roared when Joe Fagan walked on the pitch with Paisley’s wife Jessie and Shankly’s widow Nessie. Then Gerry Marsden stood in front of the Kop to sing with them You’ll Never Walk Alone as past players stood on the centre circle holding a huge banner with the words ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ on it.

The Kop was originally known as the Oakfield Road Embankment or Walton Breck Bank. In the summer of 1906, after Liverpool had won the League Championship, the exposed wooden terraces where replaced with the construction of a huge new banking, a vast roofless sloped mound of soil and cinders surrounded by a white picket fence.

The Kop was named after a famous battle during the Boer War, which took place at Spioen Kop, a hill in Natal, a province of South Africa,  on January 24th 1900. More than 300 men lost their lives during the battle, whilst attempting to break the siege of Ladysmith. Most of them from the Lancashire Fusiliers and many from their homeplace of Liverpool and South Lancashire. The name Spion Kop was suggested by Ernest Edwards then sports editor of the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo.

To commemorate the new Kop, the topmast of Brunel’s giant Great Eastern six-masted iron steamer ship, one of the first ever, was erected on the outside corner of the Kop at the junction of Walton Breck Road with Kemlyn Road after the new Spion Kop was built in 1906. The ship had been broken up at Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, in 1890 and the club officials in search of a flagpole managed to buy it for 20 guineas, a reasonable price. The mast was floated across the river Mersey to Garston and transported to Anfield and hauled up Everton Valley on two wagons, hauled by a team of three horses. It still stands in the same spot at the corner of the Kop and known as ‘Flagpole corner’, and will have been there 100 years in 2006.

The first match played in front of the Kop was against Stoke City on 1st September 1906, Liverpool winning 1-0 in front of a crowd of 30,000, Joe Hewitt being the first to score in front of a jubilant Kop.

In 1928 it was slightly extended and finished with a vast iron cantilever roof to house nearly 28,000 standing spectators. John McKenna, the then president of the Football League formally opened the new roofed Kop, on 25th August 1928, where a crowd of 40,000 washed Liverpool beat Bury 3-0. Miller scoring a brace and Whitehurst scoring the third.

In October 1963 Gerry and the Pacemakers were top with a new version of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ which stayed there for six weeks. When the song stopped being played thereafter, the Kop spontaneously sang YNWA over the new number one, and from that day ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ became the official anthem of Liverpool FC.

It was during the 1960s that the Kop’s fame spread throughout the world and on the day Liverpool clinched the League title in 1964 the seething terrace was filmed by the BBC for its Panorama programme.

During the summer of 1987 a collapsed sewer under the Kop forced the Reds to postpone their opening two home games whilst repairs where made.

After the Hillsborough tragedy of 15th April 1989, the Kop and the pitch became a sea of flowers and scarves as Liverpool families, friends and fans paid their respects to the 96 who lost their lives.

So to the last match before the old standing Kop would be demolished to make way for a new all-seater grandstand. The 30th April 1994, Norwich City the visitors who won the game 1-0 with a goal by Jeremy Goss.

The Kop terrace measured 394 feet wide, stretched 135 feet from the front to the back and was 50 foot high. No other stand can have witnessed so much that has gone down in footballing history.

The Kop and its family of Kopites have always been known for their singing and chanting. Their ability to conjure up many a famous tune and off-the-cuff quips to happenings on the pitch is now world famous.

The swaying Kop, the twelfth man, with their singing and chanting inspiring the Reds to many a famous victory.

YNWA

© peejay 2004
« Last Edit: April 30, 2004, 04:59:13 pm by Rushian »

Offline Bannside Red

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Re: The Kop’s last stand 10 years ago today, 30th April 1994
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2004, 09:40:52 am »
Great piece, pee-jay.

I remember going onto the Kop for the last game vs Norwich City. We got in around 1-30pm and it was packed by then.

Offline Stephen King

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Re: The Kop’s last stand 10 years ago today, 30th April 1994
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2004, 01:07:21 pm »
Any pics?

Offline walshys_mullet

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Re: The Kop’s last stand 10 years ago today, 30th April 1994
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2004, 01:50:35 pm »
i remember it too, great atmosphere, warm, sunny day, it didnt matter we lost though someone like rushie deserved to score..
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Offline thechulloran

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Re: The Kop’s last stand 10 years ago today, 30th April 1994
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2004, 02:28:48 pm »
The Kop in the 60s singing She loves you and "Anyone who had a heart" at the end. I just love watchin this, so blown away.

http://soccer.kypros.org/liverpool/LFC_Kop.rm (real audio format)
http://soccer.kypros.org/liverpool/LFC_Kop.mpg (MPG format)

« Last Edit: April 30, 2004, 02:33:15 pm by thechulloran »
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Offline WOOLTONIAN

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Re: The Kop’s Last Stand 10 years ago today
« Reply #5 on: June 24, 2004, 05:47:17 am »
Never realised it came to Liverpool via Garston.
I wonder who the Horse and cart belonged too.
My family were delivering coal in those days.
It must have gone past my grand-dads house, pity the bloody horses if they went up St Mary's it's steeper than the valley.
Living descendant of Sir Thomas Brodrick, Vice Admiral of the Red in the 18th Century

Offline Old Koppite

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Re: The Kop’s Last Stand 10 years ago today
« Reply #6 on: June 24, 2004, 10:21:12 pm »
To commemorate the new Kop, the topmast of Brunel’s giant Great Eastern six-masted iron steamer ship, one of the first ever, was erected on the outside corner of the Kop at the junction of Walton Breck Road with Kemlyn Road after the new Spion Kop was built in 1906. The ship had been broken up at Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, in 1890 and the club officials in search of a flagpole managed to buy it for 20 guineas, a reasonable price. The mast was floated across the river Mersey to Garston and transported to Anfield and hauled up Everton Valley on two wagons, hauled by a team of three horses. It still stands in the same spot at the corner of the Kop and known as ‘Flagpole corner’, and will have been there 100 years in 2006.


It's still there, just about?

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Re: The Kop’s Last Stand 10 years ago today
« Reply #7 on: October 5, 2022, 02:32:23 pm »
.
A few videos of the old Kop / last days of the old standing Kop...














'The Old Kop (1994)' - according to the video comments, this is from Liverpool Reserves v Nott'm Forest Reserves, played at Anfield on the 25th April, 1994:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/FxDIg-vPtHU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/FxDIg-vPtHU</a>



'The Spion Kop Anfield' - video taken on 29th April 1994:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/mKpvKQqCQ38" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/mKpvKQqCQ38</a>



'Heading into the Kop.. This will trigger some memories this!' (a 30 second video clip of the old standing Kop):-

https://twitter.com/Davolaar/status/1584674045760778240



'The Kop's Last Stand: Liverpool v Norwich 30/04/1994' - an 80 minute program on Sky (with extended match footage):-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Oa6Mi29emx8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Oa6Mi29emx8</a>



'Tribute to The Kop 1994 - BBC' - 27 minute video:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/NPvHDmdVf6Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/NPvHDmdVf6Y</a>



'Story of The Kop - part 1 of 2':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/IZxfJK5BVGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/IZxfJK5BVGA</a>



'Story of The Kop - part 2 of 2':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/o4vTub3KrhU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/o4vTub3KrhU</a>



'KOP of LIVERPOOL FC / Last Day' - 7 minute video:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/PUnqKWh05Bg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/PUnqKWh05Bg</a>



'The Anfield Kop In Full Voice - 1994':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/P8A92diUsR8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/P8A92diUsR8</a>



'The standing Kop back in 1994':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/tEclCQGT3ns" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/tEclCQGT3ns</a>



'Last Day of the standing Kop 1994' - 5 minute video with Des:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/QseiXbI8nPk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/QseiXbI8nPk</a>



'The Kop's Last Stand - pt1':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/I8aBLtfVY-k" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/I8aBLtfVY-k</a>



'The Kop's Last Stand - pt2':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/UvK1ftO5LHY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/UvK1ftO5LHY</a>



'The Kop's Last Stand - pt3':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Dq_hGZjapcQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Dq_hGZjapcQ</a>



'The Kop's Last Stand - pt4':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/dDulJSQkbvA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/dDulJSQkbvA</a>



'Classic Match: Liverpool 0-1 Norwich City | Players and fans bid farewell to the Kop' - a 5 minute video from LFC:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/zD2NkADOIHY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/zD2NkADOIHY</a>



'Liverpool 0-1 Norwich 1993-94 (The Kop's last stand)' - Saturday 30th April, 1994. 9 minute match highlights:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/cyr6vk7U_hE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/cyr6vk7U_hE</a>

^ LFCHistory.net Match Info page: www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Game/1957



'30th April, 1994: Liverpool v Norwich City : LFCTV' - 82 minute video:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/H9tRdIJxeLY" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/H9tRdIJxeLY</a>

^ or click here to watch - www.youtube.com/v/H9tRdIJxeLY



'Liverpool 0 1 Norwich 1994 Kop's Last Stand' - Match Of The Day; 17 minute video:-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/enx1oZqGNZg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/enx1oZqGNZg</a>






A few articles on The Kop's Last Stand...


RAWK's 'Anfield through the ages (pics)' thread - in the 'Anfield Stadium' forum (see meady1981 posts!) : www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=340505.0


'The Spion Kop’s last stand' article: www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/3217

'Ten years on' article: www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/371

'10 years since the Spion Kop (2004)' article: www.travelexplorations.com/10-years-since-the-spion-kop-2004-anfield-road-liverpool-f-c-.141152-17545.html

''You're supposed to let us win!' - when Norwich (tried to) spoil the Kop's last stand': www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/pictures-liverpool-fc-fans-remember-6370622

One From The Archives – The Last Day Of The Kop (view from a Norwich fan): www.alongcomenorwich.com/articles/one-from-the-archives-the-last-day-of-the-kop

A Gallery of The Kop's Last Stand - Liverpool FC v Norwich, 1994: www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gallery/kops-last-stand-liverpool-fc-6370082

Remembering a fond farewell to the standing Kop: www.liverpoolfc.com/news/features/394103-remembering-a-fond-farewell-to-the-standing-kop

Liverpool: Remembering The Kop’s Last Stand: www.theanfieldwrap.com/2016/06/liverpool-remembering-the-kops-last-stand

The Kop's last stand: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatson/museum-of-liverpool/exhibition/kops-last-stand

Liverpool played their last game in front of the old Kop: www.thesportsman.com/articles/the-kop-s-last-stand-the-end-of-a-liverpool-terrace-tradition-on-this-day-in-1994

The Year The Kop Turned Back Time: https://jeffgoulding.com/liverpool-fc/the-year-the-kop-turned-back-time

Remembering Liverpool’s final farewell to Anfield’s iconic terrace: https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-kop-anniversary-closure-anfield-last-match-norwich-city-279854

Liverpool: The Day when Kop became the past: http://stadiumdb.com/news/2013/05/liverpool_the_day_when_kop_became_the_past

The Kop’s last stand: Liverpool bid farewell in an emotional fashion: www.thisisanfield.com/2020/04/the-kops-last-stand-liverpool-bid-farewell-in-an-emotional-fashion

Humour, loyalty & passion – Memories of the old Spion Kop: www.thisisanfield.com/2013/10/memories-old-kop

Famous painting Last Day at the Kop goes under the hammer: www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-fc-painting-last-day-6272588

Attacking the Kop: www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/4262

'John Garner - the last person to score in front of the standing Kop' - 2004 RAWK thread: www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=29886.0

'John Garner - Last goal scorer in front of the Standing Kop - Liverpool 0 Norwich City 1 - 30/4/94' - 5 minute video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH9TggxJ8_s

15 photos capture the day Anfield bid farewell to the Spion Kop: www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/nostalgia/gallery/15-photos-capture-day-anfield-25342480







^ click to enlarge the image...





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'"The Last Night of The Kop" concert video released in 1995. The concert was held on May 1st, 1994' - a 9 minute video:-

www.facebook.com/TheKopLocker/videos/this-clip-is-taken-from-the-last-night-of-the-kop-concert-video-released-in-1995/356713164497492



'The Farm play in front of the Kop 1994' (All Together Now):-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ORFxsPwmn6s" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/ORFxsPwmn6s</a>



'The Last Night Of The Kop Concert, 1st Of May 1994 😍😘😍😘 #ynwa' (Gerry Marsden sings You'll Never Walk Alone):-

www.facebook.com/LFC.Grady/videos/881157885623200



'Alberto Remedios singing Nessun Dorma The Last Night of the Kop':-

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/1skgQBSiZG0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/1skgQBSiZG0</a>











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