April 24, 2007
Atmosphere is unique Anfield calling card
Our correspondent on the supporters who are really suited to the task of raising the roofTony Evans
Two years ago, on the approach to Stamford Bridge, one of those moments you dread arrived. “Headhunters,” my companion hissed. And there they were, surrounding us, fingering their calling cards. It was about to get ugly. The seconds that followed were a blur; the pain still almost tangible. They tried to recruit me for a leading financial institution in the City. The idea that Rupert and Tarquin thought I was a merchant banker makes me wince even now.
Once, Stamford Bridge was an intimidating place. On the pitch, the players were uncompromising brutes with names like Micky, Tommy and Chopper. The supporters came from council flats in Battersea and had names like, well, Micky, Tommy and Chopper.
Now the players have names like Claude, Ricardo and Hilário. Battersea has been gentrified and supporters at the Bridge have names like, well, Giles.
And then there are the songs they sing. What visiting fan hasn’t felt a shiver of fear when the cry of “One man went to mow!” rises up from the Matthew Harding Stand. Or, imagine what it is like being Frank Lampard and realising that, yes, they’ve thrown another man at that meadow. “Come on Sheva, there’s eight of them mowing now. The grass doesn’t have a chance. That’s the sort of commitment we’ve got to match . . . Good Lord, it’s nine now ! Let’s win it for the nine . . . ten . . . and Spot.”
Or is it part of the mad plan of Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, to turn Chelsea into the biggest club in the world by 2016? “Right, at every kindergarten in the land they are singing our song. How many does that add to our fanbase? Millions. And we’ll get their kids, too. Take that, Manchester United!”
To single out Stamford Bridge for a lack of atmosphere would be cruel, though. It is a problem across football, even at Anfield. But Liverpool supporters recognise this and have made massive efforts to keep their individuality with initiatives like Reclaim The Kop, a grassroots movement aimed at educating those not fully conversant with Kopite traditions. But compare the stadiums when Barcelona visited in this season’s Champions League.
At Anfield last month, the stadium was in a frenzy. Many supporters prepared special flags for the occasion and the Kop was a bouncing wall of red. Barça were greeted by a wall of flags at the Bridge in October, too. Only these had been supplied by the club. It was contrived and proved that mere banners do not create the right mood in a stadium. People do.
To this end, Liverpool supporters have something special in mind for the two ties over the next week. They have looked to Greece in the quest to reach Athens.
Impressed by the fanaticism of PAOK fans and the catchy nature of one of their songs, Liverpool supporters have appropriated the tune and added their own lyrics, which will boom out of the old Shed End tomorrow and take the roof off the Kop next week. Apart from Anfield on Saturday, it hasn’t been heard before on Premiership grounds. It’s new and innovative but will carry the weight of history with it.
Are you ready for it Chelsea? You were not two years ago and we’re set to take things up a notch. Because that thing called atmosphere is Liverpool’s calling card. And if you are not four up going to Anfield, worry.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article1696151.ece