Kop Charter

Kop Charter


Today is a milestone for the world-famous city of Liverpool. 800 years ago, the city was granted its charter and the unique, historic, cosmopolitan melting-pot of Liverpool was born.

Its dialect and its people are Scouse - a stew made of many ingredients - and its symbol is the iconic Liver Bird. One team in the city of Liverpool carries its name. One team carries the city of Liverpool's symbol. One team spreads the city's name far and wide.

Ask anyone, anywhere in the world if they know of Liverpool and they'll tell you yes - that's where The Beatles are from. And Liverpool F.C. Part of LFC's folklore is its famous Spion Kop. And in reminding ourselves of the city's history and traditions on the first day of its 800th Birthday, it's worth reminding ourselves, the latest custodians of the famous Kop, of some its own principles.

1. We are only custodians. The Kop is a spirit, an attitude, the heart and soul of Liverpool F.C. No-one owns it, but together we are a legion, a force like no other.

2. There is no other. The Kop is a one-off. It's the cradle of terrace culture, humour, songs - the original 12th Man. The Kop innovates. It has never followed. As Liverpudlians, we should never follow the rest of country's trends and fancies. Whether that takes the form of lower-league grade chanting, overhead seal-clapping or the wearing of yokel-style head gear, The Kop deserves better.

3. "Liverpool F.C exists as a source of pride for its supporters. It has no other purpose." If that is the club's pledge to us, here's ours to the team. "The Kop exists as a bastion of support. We will get behind the team through thick and thin. We will, always, give them strength."

4. It's the law of nature that fans have favourites. Let's leave the negative stuff in the pubs and schools and wherever else there's a debate to be had. Once we set foot inside Anfield, we are Redmen and we have one purpose; to help the team win.

5. Let's get inside the ground earlier. This is all about playing our part in making Anfield special, and providing the backdrop and the inspiration for the team to walk tall. It's also about letting the other team know where they are. When they come out to warm up, we want our heroes' hearts pumping - and want the opposition shrivelling. Everyone loves a pre-match pint, but let's get The Kop rocking, too.

6. On 15th April 1989, many thousands of us set off to support our team in the semi final of the F.A Cup. 96 of us never came home again. We will always honour the memory of those who died at Hillsborough. In our respect for them and their families, and in our disdain for the unprincipled and unregulated hacks who scared up a shameful pack of lies out of a desperate human tragedy, we will never purchase or read The Sun newspaper, and we deplore the reading of it by any Liverpool supporter.

7. It is our custom and our privilege to welcome supporters from far and wide. We expect all Kopites of all ages, wherever they sit inside the ground, to show similar respect to the city of the team they support. It's not endearing when visitors don curly-perm wigs and tell locals to "calm down". It's not clever to laugh along with away fans who sing tiresome nursery rhymes about car crime. Support Liverpool F.C, and you support Liverpool, too.

8. We always applaud the other team's goalie. Unless he's a twat.

9. "Liverpool F.C. Supporters All Over The World." We don't tolerate racism. Everyone knows LFC, all around the globe. From Nairobi to Nagoya, we have fans, people who love us because we do things The Liverpool Way. We have style, we have honour, we have principles. We are a global force with a local pulse - truly, a club of the people.

10. Our own icon, the symbol that makes The Kop a legend all over the world, is our anthem: You'll Never Walk Alone. If there is one thing that sets us apart as fans, it's this pre-match ritual, this war cry, our hymn of triumph, and occasional pain. We're custodians of the anthem, and we have to maintain it and pass it on to the next generation, in pristine condition. We can never dilute the song, its message and its impact with half-measures and bursts of applause half way through. Let's respect the anthem and do it proud, sing it slowly and with heartfelt emotion, right to the end, scarves held high.

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Football Charity Liberia

Teams4U ran its first football-based project in Liberia in November, working in partnership with Samaritan's Purse. The focus of the trip was to work with young people in the three principle cities, namely the capital Monrovia, as well as Buchanan and Gbarnga. The programme was supported by two leading English Premiership football clubs, Liverpool and Newcastle United.

A dozen British coaches travelled to Monrovia, where the ten-day football tour was launched. The objective was to meet the needs of the youth of Liberia, illustrating compassion and warmth to deprived youngsters, whilst instilling a message driven to facilitate both the empowering enhancement of skills as well as character development.

Children's soccer charity in Liberia

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Dairy goes again

I often panic over nothing. When the wife trapped me into producing little gambling gurus, i did worry that they may end up with my intelligence and the wife’s looks, which would have narrowed down their future career prospects to ‘circus attraction’. Luckily, they’ve ended up with the wife’s brain, and curiously, the milkman’s looks. I say curious, as the wife and I are lactose intolerant; we have absolutely no time for lactose, and we’re not shy in speaking of our displeasure.

I bring this to your attention because little Goliath is quite bright; he’s trying to remember animals by associating them with football. Whenever Ruud Van Nistelrooy comes off the bench for Man U, he shouts ‘horsey’, as Peter Crouch heads wide he cries ‘donkey’ and when Chelsea are playing, he shakes his head and murmurs ‘cheetahs’. It seems that everyone has cottoned on to Chelsea’s lack of sportsmanship, referees will be next. Any Chelsea player to be booked for diving / simulation against Birmingham is an 11/2 shot.

Amongst all the theatrics, there will also be a game of football. You’ve got to fancy Chelsea to take three points home from St Andrew’s, but 1/3 does not represent value. Playing the correct scores can solve this conundrum; Chelsea to win either 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 is a 5/4 shot; now we’re cooking.

Phil Neville scored a beauty last week, unfortunately, it was an own goal, against Liverpool. His brother must have been literally seething. Everton are the lucky beneficiaries of a home fixture against Sunderland; they’re 3/10, certainties doesn’t really cover it.

You can’t get rich backing Everton, so taking an interest in a bookings market may prove to be a profitable play. Duncan Ferguson is a fearsome character, like Jason Donovan, he’s done a little bird in the past. Big Dunc took only nine minutes to find his name in the book last week in the Merseyside derby; he’s a 7/2 shot to have his name taken again.

Bolton’s Reebok stadium is a genuine fortress, but Manchester United have a tasty army. Wayne Rooney missed a couple of golden chances against Birmingham last week (If they were chicken legs, he would have put them away), but remains a class act. A rested Van Nistelrooy is back in favour and the talented wobbly-legged Ronaldo has already helped himself to a pair against Bolton earlier in the season. United are available at 10/11, its time to go to war.

Unfortunately for Villa fans, Milan Baros has a get-out clause in his contract that can be triggered if a bid is received for £7 million pound or more, virtually ruling out a potential transfer. The poster declaring ‘We’re not fickle, we just don’t like you’ sums up the supporters’ frustration towards O’Leary’s inability to motivate; an Aston Villa divided amongst itself can not possibly survive at Highbury. Arsenal may rest a couple of players with one eye on Wednesday’s 2nd leg against Juventus, but in all honesty, I’d back Arsenal’s reserves at 2/7 at home to the Villa.

Jermaine Jenas didn’t enjoy his time at Newcastle, he compared his time there to living in a goldfish bowl. On a related note, it’s a fallacy that goldfish only have a memory span of a few seconds, Rio Ferdinand may have, but that’s a different kettle of fish. JJ is set for another disappointing trip to the North East, Spurs will have to settle for a draw, an 11/5 shot.

It’s been said that Middlesbrough’s Emanuel Pogatetz could start a ruck in an empty room, and still finish runner up; but don’t tell him who said it. The Austrian defender has either been booked or saw red in 14 matches this season, it’s 6/4 that he sees another card when he faces Joey Barton and Co. Man City have been depleted by injuries and suspensions, the Boro are the weekend nap at 11/4.

The weekend specials:

“Two halves at the Rovers” - Blackburn to score in both halves 2/1
“Come in handy” - Drogba to score two or more goals 4/1
“Cruising” - Stelios to score at any time 5/2
“April, Pool's day” - Liverpool to win with a clean sheet 6/5
“April, Mule's day” - Van Nistelrooy to score two or more goals 5/1

Quote of the week:

“Sometimes I dive, sometimes I stand.”
Drogba’s half right.

Stat, you’re a liberty:

If Bolton had held on to win all the matches where they had taken a lead, they would be 2nd in the Premiership.

Acc of the week:

Man Utd, Fulham, Liverpool and Middlesbrough tick all the right boxes, an acc on all four will pay 18/1.

Weekend Betting:

Birmingham v Chelsea Saturday 1st April 12.45 Live on Premiership Plus

Birmingham 8/1
Draw 3/1
Chelsea 1/3

Get on: Chelsea

Birmingham have lost their last three without scoring; Chelsea have won their last three without conceding. Historically, Birmingham haven’t beaten Chelsea since the 70’s. There is no argument for a home win.
Match Special:
Chelsea to win 2-0 11/2

Arsenal v Aston Villa Saturday 1st April 15.00

Arsenal 2/7
Draw 7/2
Aston Villa 8/1

Get on: Arsenal

The Gunners have won their last three in the league; the Villa have earned one point out of 12.
Match Special:
Arsenal to win with a clean sheet 4/5

Bolton v Man Utd Saturday 1st April 15.00

Bolton 5/2
Draw 9/4
Man Utd 10/11

Get on: Man Utd

Bolton have conceded 10 goals in 5 games; United have won six on the bounce.
Match Special:
Rooney to score two or more goals 11/2

Everton v Sunderland Saturday 1st April 15.00

Everton 3/10
Draw 10/3
Sunderland 8/1

Get on: Everton

Everton have won their last four at Goodison Park; Sunderland have lost their last six away from home. Everton have beaten Sunderland on the last five occasions they have met.
Match Special:
Beattie to score with a header 7/2

Fulham v Portsmouth Saturday 1st April 15.00

Fulham 4/5
Draw 12/5
Portsmouth 11/4

Get on: Fulham

In the Premiership, Fulham have won five of their last six at home, while Portsmouth have lost five of their last six away. Pompey have lost on their last four visits to the Cottage.
Match Special:
Malbranque to score at any time 3/1

Newcastle v Tottenham Saturday 1st April 15.00

Newcastle 11/8
Draw 11/5
Tottenham 13/8

Get on: Draw

Newcastle have lost their last four, but it’s two wins out of three at St James’ Park. Tottenham have won three of their last four, but it’s only one win in five on the road. An interesting stat, this fixture has always produced a positive result this century, the draw’s due.
Match Special:
HT Newcastle FT Draw 14/1

West Brom v Liverpool Saturday 1st April 17.15 Live on Premiership Plus

West Brom 9/2
Draw 5/2
Liverpool 8/15

Get on: Liverpool

It’s six games without a win for the Albion; Liverpool have won their last four, scoring 18 goals. The Pool have won their last nine matches against West Brom, including two 5-0’s and a 6-0. Ouch.
Match Special:
Liverpool to score four or more goals 6/1

Man City v Middlesbrough Sunday 2nd April 15.00

Man City 5/6
Draw 9/4
Middlesbrough 11/4

Get on: Middlesbrough

Man City have lost their last three; Boro have scored 13 goals in their last six league matches, winning four of them. City have never beaten the Boro at home in the Premiership.
Match Special:
Middlesbrough to score two or more goals 5/2

West Ham v Charlton Sunday 2nd April 16.00 Live on Sky

West Ham 10/11
Draw 9/4
Charlton 5/2

Get on: West Ham

The Hammers have scored two goals or more in their last seven matches at Upton Park; Charlton haven’t won a league match on their travels since October.
Match Special:
West Ham to score three or more goals 7/2

Blackburn v Wigan Monday 3rd April 20.00 Live on Sky

Blackburn 5/6
Draw 9/4
Wigan 11/4

Get on: Blackburn

Wigan have only won 2 of their last 11 matches, and they were against Sunderland and a weakened Man City. Blackburn have won their last three, they’re charging towards Europe.
Match Special:
Craig Bellamy to score at any time 5/4

World Club Championship – Part 5: Show me the way to go home

The Final: Liverpool V Sau Paulo – Yokohama


Tragedy has struck – we’re not talking disaster in epic proportions of course, I’m not commenting on a terrorist strike or a tsunami; but merely a catastrophe within the context of world football. The heartbreaking tale I’m referring to is Liverpool’s ultimately unsuccessful attempt to bring the World Club Championship to Merseyside for the first time. Last night the global crown eluded us once again as the Kings of Europe were subjected to a painful one-nil defeat at the hands of South Americans Champions, Sao Paulo. Victory for the Brazilians on a freezing night in Yokohama means that despite having won our own continental crown on five occasions, we’re still yet to lift the world title: a tragedy indeed.

Liverpool conceded the decisive goal on 27 minutes, when Mineiro coolly slotted home, following a well-executed move. It was the first time the watertight defence had been breached since Boa Morte’s strike in a league meeting with Fulham back in October. The proud record of eleven consecutive clean sheets is now confined to memory however, and more importantly, so is our dream for world domination …well, for a year at least. As with ‘that final’ in Istanbul, which saw Liverpool qualify for this inter-continental competition, the first half display was well below par. On this occasion however, it proved our undoing rather than our inspiration.

The Japanese Workforce

Sao Paulo on the other hand illustrated to the footballing world exactly why they are champions of South America, playing some breathtaking football in the opening period. With Costa Rican outfit Deportivo Saprissa having won the play-off for third place in the warm up game before the final, in front of a largely disinterested crowd, it is the Americas who have best acquitted themselves in this year’s tournament in Japan. Europe has failed to produce a King of Kings once again.

Liverpool were poor at best in the first half, with the Brazilians deserving of the advantage they took into the interval. In the second period however, Sao Paulo were virtually non existent, forced to desperately defend their slender lead. Liverpool spent the entire second half orchestrating wave after wave of attacks, bombarding the Sao Paulo goal from the first whistle until the last. As Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said after the game: “The first thing I can say is congratulations to my players as we deserved to win. We had 21 shots and 17 corners and hit the bar twice and scored three disallowed goals. We couldn't have done anymore to win.”


You can quote all the statistics in the world though, but the only one that matters is the final score line. One last glimpse at the scoreboard as the referee blew his whistle for a final time confirmed for me and the other 66,000 present that the game finished without us having equalised. Some of the decisions made by the officials may have been harsh, dubious, ridiculous, even scandalous …but the simply fact is that with refereeing judgments you’re as likely to be a beneficiary as a victim. We didn’t score so we deserved what we got: nothing.

Liverpool's failure to cancel out the Brazilian’s first half strike outlined our main areas of weakness in terms of personnel, emphasising in the cruelest of contexts, that despite being European Champions we still remain three or four short players of being a truly formidable side. With the transfer window just
around the corner, I can only hope this painful reminder will do more to convince the Liverpool management that further recruitment is required. Without it, it could be a while before I’m
back in Japan to see us do the job properly.

Making Friends with the Locals

The Brazilians came in their droves to see their side secure a famous victory over the mighty Liverpool. I’d love to reflect warmly on them, and praise them for their gracious acceptance of the triumph, but sadly they were not the carnivalesque party-loving South Americans that the media love to portray them as. The vast majority instead seemed to represent more of the Barra Bravas school of football fandom. They set the tone for the evening; it was just a shame the Liverpool team couldn’t muster up a goal to put them in their place.

The song, “where’s your European Cups?” was one of many chants to have been lost on the boys from Brazil. Now Liverpool face a return to reality and the bread and butter of the English League Championship, with Newcastle and a certain Michael Owen to visit Anfield on Boxing Day. This is a club and indeed a player to whom the song in question will prove to be far more stinging. I for one can’t wait.

Champions League Final

Champions League Final

Once upon a time, I had a dream… to see Liverpool win the European Cup. This is the story of the realisation of a dream:
It had finally happened, the day I had been waiting, hoping, praying for since I was four. The dream stretching from boyhood to manhood had at last been converted from farfetched fantasy to firm reality. At last, I was going to see my local team play in the biggest game in world football. And yes, I am familiar with that bit of metal named after Jules someone or other that everyone raves about; the prize for that competition that sees hoards of people around the globe attempt to recapture a lost sense of identity by attaching themselves to whatever increasingly disunited state they claim to belong to – World Cup my arse.
You ask any fan worth their salt, and they’ll tell you. Call it what you like, sponsor how you want, it’s the annually contested cup with the big ears that every fan wants to see his side get their hands on. The league title of course is your bread and butter – you’re desperate to win that every year. The European Cup however is something different. It’s one of the things that separates Liverpool from the likes of London. They’ve got their Palaces, Abbeys, Royalty, 24-hour art galleries… and as far as I’m concerned, they’re welcome to them. Why? Because for the fifth time, ‘Liverpool are Champions, Champions of Europe’.

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Liverpool Red Diary

Liverpool v Chelsea Champions League Semi-Final 2005

The ruthless and relentless Chelski revolution, that now appears to dominate every football-related media publication, seems to have sprung up virtually overnight. It seems only yesterday that the west London club had a side befitting of their history; completely unremarkable. Now they are trying to take over the world, and what is worse is that the world seems to be listening. I was doing a coaching session recently in a remote corner of central Russia, where an alarming proportion of youngsters were sporting counterfeit Chelsea shirts. It's hard to think that just two years ago they would have been that of Arsenal, Man United and even Liverpool.


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Liverpool Books & DVDs

In the wake of Liverpool's amazing comeback victory in the Champions League Final, the DVD of the match is highly popular and selling well.

Visit our Liverpool FC bookstore for new books just published on Rafa Benitez, the 2004-2005 Champions League winning season, Joey Jones and the 1970s "golden age".

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