I was remembering the other day the first time I visited Anfield to watch a football match. The atmosphere was intense, cauldron-like and a little gladiatorial towards the home side's reception for the visiting team. But one thing I also remember vividly about that extraordinary main stand, The Kop, was how the Liverpool fans would applaud the visiting goalkeeper as he went to stand in that end. The applause was sporting and perhaps even a little sympathetic, in admiration of the goalkeeper's courage at the onslaught he would soon be facing from the home team on the pitch, as well as from the fervent home fans massed behind.
Much has changed in football nowadays (including The Kop now alas, all-seater, and just not the same as in the old days) and money has gradually overwhelmed sportsmanship and the spirit of the game. But bits of this camaraderie still come through. One good trend I've noticed is for fans (the true fans) to applaud their side off the field at the end of a match, whilst some of the players in turn applaud them for their support.
It's for moments like these, that could only justify it being called the Beautiful Game.
1 comment:
You mentioned the famous "Kop" and how it has changed -- I believe that when the American owners of Liverpool FC get their act together, the whole stadium is to be re-built across the road in what is now Stanley Park - the plans for the new stadium look amazing!
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