The Red Shirt, the Liver Bird and Liverpool Football Club
Yesterday I was visiting my mums and my sister turned up. After telling her about my trip to Anfield on Wednesday as a guest of Liverpool Football Club, she asked if I could do anything about the way the team are playing at the moment. I simply replied that I wish I could and then went on to explain that the players do not seem to understand the meaning of wearing the red shirt. Thinking about it for a moment, she suddenly said maybe I was right. My sister has only supported the team since our dad died - she said this was her way of remembering him, so has not experienced following the team since the beginning of the Shankly era. This led me to wondering if today's young supporters and players fully understand why the wearing and the passion behind the red shirt are so important.
Bill Shankly entered Anfield in December 1959 and immediately set about making changes to the team in the form of players and in the way they thought about their allegiance to the club. Bill did not bring in his own staff, but after talking to Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan, learnt about the club and the changes began. Bill bought in players such as Ian St John, Ron Yeats and Ian Callaghan. Whilst reforming the club, Bill set in place certain principles that he expected every player to understand and follow. One of these was the placing of the now famous This is Anfield sign in the tunnel. It was put there to instil terror into the opposition by giving the impression that Anfield was a fortress. As the years went by as we all know this is what it became. It also became a symbol that each of the players would touch as they made their way down the tunnel and onto the pitch. He also instilled it into the players that they represented the City of Liverpool and its people. They were expected to go out every week and play their hearts knowing that they, the manager and the supporters were part of the same family. This became the norm, which is why today Liverpool has the best supporters in the world. We have always felt part of a great club - not just a supporter that sits in the stands week in and week out
The Liver Bird which has always featured on the team's shirts is a mythical bird that has over the centuries become the city's emblem. Although it had not really featured in the city for many years it was re- introduced when the Liver Building was erected and opened in 1911. On two of the towers are the mythical Liver Birds who stand proud and watch over the city and the River Mersey. I will admit to always going down to the Pier Head whenever I am in the city, looking up and saying hello to them. I have my own nickname for them. They have each been called Liverpool Lou since my granddaughter was born - it helps her recognise who they are and she is beginning to realise what they stand for. It is said that if they ever flew away then the city of Liverpool would be in trouble and cease to exist. If I remember rightly several years ago the Liver Building was cleaned and people were worried about what would happen if the Liver Birds did not like being bought back to their original colour. What is a Liver Bird, you may ask. I understand it is a cross between an Eagle and a Cormorant. It was first attached to the city by King John who used it in his seal when he granted the city of Liverpool its charter in 1207.
When Bill Shankly took over the club, the uniform was a red top with the Liver Bird in red on a white badge with white shorts. This was soon changed to a red top with red shorts and has remained the clubs home kit to this day although the styles have changed several times.
When a new player joined Liverpool Football Club, he was quickly educated in the passion for the club and after playing in front of a home crowd at Anfield realised what it meant to be a Liverpool player and carried on the great tradition - hence our results stayed good and we continued to win titles and trophies. Over the years home grown players have also been added to the team, which has helped keep the passion alive. Today we have players such as Steven Gerrard, born in Huyton and Jamie Carragher who was born in Bootle in the team, along with Stephen Darby and Jay Spearing who are working their way gradually into the first team. They play their hearts out each week for the city of Liverpool and yet our results are not as they should be.
This I believe has come about due to the influx of foreign players. Believe me I have nothing personally against this, providing they know what playing for a club like Liverpool means. I understand that on their arrival at Liverpool, they are all taught about the Hysel and Hillsborough disasters and what they mean to the club and the City. Would it not be a good idea if they were also given lessons on what Bill Shankly meant and did for the club, including the values that he instilled into his players? I honestly get the impression that most of them are there for the money at the end of the week and nothing else.
I know we are hit by injuries at the moment and it is hard to get eleven of the same players together for each game, but that should not make any difference. Each of the players must fight for their places and once on the pitch play their hearts out. It must be heartbreaking for Stevie and Jamie each week to go out on that pitch knowing that they and they alone carry the City of Liverpool in their hearts. I know Torres and Dirk Kuyt do their best and are getting there but we need the rest of the players to follow suit. When this happens, I think the results will improve and Liverpool Football Club will get back to where it belongs - in the top flight of the premiership.
As someone who classes herself as a Liverpudlian , although born in the South East, I do wonder if the Liver Birds are trying to teach the club a lesson. I am sure as legends come and go, they are as disgusted by the lack of respect for the badge on the club shirt as the majority of today's supporters appear to be. Maybe as my sister has suggested I should pay a visit to Mellwood, talk to the players and explain what a priviledge it is to play for such a great club. Hopefully then the passion would return, the Liver Birds would smile and the results would improve.
The Liver Bird is entrenched deeply into my heart so I am sure it could become that way with our foreign players.
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Did you not see Pepe's sprint to congratulate the equally ecstatic (and foreign) Ngo'g? Look at the determination of Agger and Insua. Liverpool has had its fair share of Englsh players who seem not to understand what wearing the Liver Bird means e.g. Ruddock, Dicks, Pennant and Collymore. Nationality is no determinant of passion and commitment to the club.
Hi Waino, yes I did see Pepe sprint to congratulate Ngog - I was at the game. I am also aware that Ngog is French and did extremely well, but this must be done in each every game. They must realise that wearing the shirt that represents the City of Liverpool and its football club is something very special. I am not saying that Pepe does not realise this but I get the feeling that sprint may well have been more due to the relief that we scored a goal. I have also watched Agger and Insua. Yes they are showing determination, but that has to be shown week in and week out. They must fight for their places and try at all cost to keep hold of them. Rafa does not rotate as much now, so it is possible. I also know that Liverpool has had its share of English players who were a waste of time, Ruddock, Dicks, Pennant and Collymore as you say are amongst them. Ruddock and Dicks both played for West Ham - you have to remember that the clubs in South East England have no idea about Football and what it can mean to people. I was talking about this to a member of the LFC staff on Wednesday and he totally agreed with me.
If you read my article again, you will see that I have nothing against the nationality of the players. I just want them to educated about the traditions and passion of Liverpool Football Club
i am a scouser, its nothink to do with foreign players. its to do with having too many poor players, and kuyt is one a work horse yes, a top player no, babel, lucas, voronin. to name afew are not good enough to wear the red shirt. the liverbird if she could speak, would only echo my words, as they are the truth....
Hi Rouman, Maybe it is nothing to do with the foreign players. I honestly don't think they are educated in the ways of the club as well as they should be. I know we have a lot of poor players but they should all see it as an opportunity to improve . Babel and Voronin I know are not good enough to wear the shirt and should never have been bought, but then we all make mistakes. Lucas I feel is making strides and will soon be worthy of the shirt. I was at the Man U game and his face was a picture. I think he finally realised what it meant to play well and have the backing of the 12th man. If the Liver Birds could speak, I think we would all be in for a shock, yes they may agree with you, they may also agree with me, I am sure that they would also have their own very strong opinions. Unfortunately they are mythical beasts so we will never know.
Great article very interesting.. I have never been to Liverpool and England only once, but Liverpool is the team I love and support. Just seeing players like Steven Gerrard step up and deny all the odds is just something truly amazing. Liverpool has to be arguably the most passionate football team in the world.
Good morning Samuel, Thank you very much for your compliment. If you can at sometime in the future you most visit the City of Liverpool and Anfield. It is an experience that you will never forget. I was at Anfield on Wednesday as a guest of LFC and although the stadium was empty, you could still feel the amazing atmosphere that surrounds it. Stevie G is a true Liverpudlian and knows what wearing the shirt means. He, like myself was bought up with the Liver Bird etched onto our hearts. That is why I feel it is important that all the foreign players are educated on why Bill Shankly ensured that his players were not just footballers but part of a large family and understood that they had to play their hearts out every week.