The spirit on the legendary Kop
One of the most famous clubs in England, Liverpool F.C., has fantastic supporters. They give everything for their well-loved club. These supporters join together at the disreputable the Kop, which is a part of Liverpool's football ground Anfield Road.
One soul and 16.000 voices. The 16.000 fans on the Kop don't need a conductor (of the choir) to sing perfect along. It is like invisible spiritual bonds (links) between the supporters. Their singing is an musical sensation. They know intuitively when to start and finish a song. It is not an organised rituale. They sing along as the best choir.
Every one knows the texture. And when they sing the song You`ll Never walk alone, emotional vibrations become strong, and it is impossible to be untouched. It sends shivers down your spine and people get tears in their eyes. This song is actually more than a football song. It generates thoughts about the society and all things that hit you in life.
Also the players get strongly affected of the fantastic atmosphere there. It encourages the home team, and sometimes the crowd frighten the geusting players almost to death with their big roars. The players became at least paralysed, and didn`t know what do to with the ball.
Much of the same atmosphere is retained on Anfield Road, especially the Kop-tribune, but after they rebuild the stadium due to safety regards nothing will ever be the same on the Kop. Anyway the unique spirit is still there.
Photo: The Kop - the famous part on Anfield Road, Liverpool F.C.
Did you get hot legs?
Before they rebuilded Anfield Road to be totally seated, the Kop-part was something for itself. Here stood people so tight that it was impossible to move. After drinking several pints in short time, you probably get an urgent need. But how do you find your way to a toilet if you stand in the middle of the crowd in the middle of a match? There is only one way out of it
.
First time I stand on the Kop in the end of the 80s, I meet an English aquintant outside the stadium after a match. I told him that I had the big pleasure to follow the match from The Kop. Then he started to look strange at my legs, and asked me; did you get hot legs? What do you mean by that, I replied. I looked amazed; don't you know that people are peeing totally wild up there. Didn't you feel the smell? Are you sure that no one has peed in you pocket? Oh, I hope not, I said, and took a carefully look at my pants. My pants looked fine, don't they? Fortunately I was lucky this time.
Photo: The famous gate outside Anfield Road, Liverpool - You will never walk alone!
Photo: Ricki, one of Liverpool`s many loyal and enthusiastic supporters.
The rise and fall of English soccer
English teams have not succeeded too much after they were banned in 1985, and stayed out of the European cup for 4-5 years. Manchester United and Arsenal have been the dominating teams in England the last years. They have also showed glimpses of great play in the Europe cup (Champions Leuage).
The national team has not either been successful. Just some glimpses of good play here too without the big trophies. After the fiasco in the European finale play this year, the Englishmen supporters fell to the ground, they got panic, and many suffered for weeks. Even though the most fanatic English soccer fans realised that England was far from beating the best teams. But I am sure England will come back very strong.
Money talks - make or break
Football in England has the last years turned in to be a big business. Money talks, and it is not always good for the sport. It seems to me that more money don't create better players and teams. Higher tickets to finance purchase of players and rise of players wage, make it hard for loyal supports to afford follow their favourite teams. Manchester United is the definitely the biggest and best club in England. The club's turnover has already reached the sky, and it is the richest and most powerful club in the world.
Manchester United has fans over the world, and the club is a master to exploit its potential. The other clubs purchase the world's best players for unbelievable amounts, but despite this they are far away from beating the red Devils from Manchester (Manchester United).
Football fans should cheer for a freeze on players' pay rises, say City analysts who have revealed that clubs are less profitable despite a huge increase in takings. BBC reports that the reward of playing in the Premier League is extra revenue of £12 million a year, a sum set to double by 2002-03 once cash from the television broadcasting deals settled in June begins to be paid.
The challenge for boards is to invest this cash in business infrastructure, rather than on players' wages, Mr Boon said. "Can the clubs hold onto this windfall or will it trickle through their fingers into the bank accounts of overseas clubs or the pockets of players?" he said. For lower divisions, the television deals represent a make or break opportunity for getting finances in order. "The new TV and Internet deals offer Football League clubs a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stabilise their financial condition," Mr Boon said.
They need to create a football business model that can demonstrate break even or, dare we hope for it, profitability on a sustainable basis." Will money destroy the traditional game in England? How is the players' loyalty? Do they still play with their heart for they club, or do they think too much of the money? Do they play better football with higher wages? No, definitely not, it has gone far, maybe too far.
Compared with clubs from other nations, teams in England have lost their quality, but the interest for the game is still extremely high, and for they who like to take part of the strong passion, don't hesitate to go there. English people are in general very nice, and football is incredible fun! It is totally different from watching matches on TV, so why not make a pilgrimage journey to England??!!!!
Stein Morten Lund, 15 August 2000
Additional information
Read more about English soccer (also Scottish soccer):
Information about British soccer; news, results, clubs, players, transfers and more.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/football/default.stm
Information about British soccer; news, results, clubs, players, transfers and more.
http://www.fa-carling.com/
Fan club sites:
http://www.liverpool.no (for the crazy, but nice Scandinavian football supporters - this is an example of how popular English soccer is outside England). They have their good time in England, and their show goes continuously on.
Please tell us about other fan club sites - we in Travel Explorations would like to hear from you!
General tourist information about Britain:
http://www.visitbritain.com/uk/home2.htm
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