Brilliant post
Thanks mate - the very thing that I love with every fibre of my being about our football club, is also the very thing that makes us unique....a group of people similar beliefs and outlook on life, we're a big family.
Let me share a couple stories - several years ago, after the break up between a long term partner and I, I fell on hard times as my head was up my arse. There were times I was a hairs breath from being homeless, strangers on here have stepped up and looked after me, having never spoken with them before, that family arm extended itself. That's not because we support Liverpool FC, its because we share values - and set values. Liverpool is a wonderful heartbeat of genuine compassion.
I first got taken to watch Liverpool in our centenary year, aged 8 by my uncle, before my immediate family moved what was 3 years to Holland. Spending time in Holland was a great eye opener....going to an international school, I learned to be open minded and equally strong minded when returning to the UK, treat everybody with respect....have no fear or judgement on anybody who is different from you etc.....
The two experiences I put together, as I was welcomed in Holland, great people..and still have friends for life, and I remember my first match at Anfield, when as an 8 year old some old boy was chatting to my uncle after the game and saw me - leant down and gave me his scarf, whispered something like 'enjoy la, and come back' proper scouse.....I thought I'd won the lottery walking out with a scarf! I still have that scarf.
When we win the league this year, I will be in Liverpool....I will also be marking it for a good friend we had on here in Carl, in some fashion.....he also embodied those values, and as a family I'll take a moment to think about him and others who have passed before having the opportunity to share this.