Articles
The last stand
Roy Evans' programme notes from The Kop's last stand 30.04.1994
Heaven was just a No 68 bus ride to the Kop
The 68 bus from Bootle to Stanley Park was full to capacity and it was match day at Anfield. I was seven years old and in charge of my elder brother Malcolm .. he was about to introduce me to the Kop.
Excited? I couldn't hide it. Like everybody else aboard, I was gripped by the passion, the atmosphere and the expectancy. I had never been to Anfield before.
I was decked out in red, of course and I carried a heavy wooden rattle which would be classed as a dangerous object in 1994. Once inside the Boys' Pen, I remember staring in bewilderment at the thousands who congregated under that famous roof. Their feelings for Liverpool were ultimate and their humour was unbeatable.
The best. I joined the Red Army that day.
That was my beginning and I'm sure that every Kopite will have his own similar story to tell. There was the place where we stood too ... a little piece of concrete, we felt, was our own personal property.
I still look at the spot which was mine.
Then came Bill Shankly and the greatest of all manager-supporter relationships began. It will never be equalled. The common bond and honest expression was unique. Fans and manager were inseperable. After today, of course, the old Kop will disapear and the new all-seater stand will be erected. The bricks and mortar will be different, but the people will remain the same. They have been the heartbeat of this Club and vital to its marvellous achievements. The volume of the Kop will be turned up to maximum whenever 100 percent is given on the pitch. It has always been that way.
Meanwhile, we welcome Norwich City on this extra special day and the players are eager to sign off the season in style. Football cannot be stage-managed but we will be aiming for an open thrilling game. Fortunately, our visitors also have a reputation for interesting and attacking football. I hope to see a performance which is fitting on this memorabe occasion.
Finally, it is my duty on behalf of the Club to thank everybody for their wonderful support this season.
Heaven was just a No 68 bus ride to the Kop
The 68 bus from Bootle to Stanley Park was full to capacity and it was match day at Anfield. I was seven years old and in charge of my elder brother Malcolm .. he was about to introduce me to the Kop.
Excited? I couldn't hide it. Like everybody else aboard, I was gripped by the passion, the atmosphere and the expectancy. I had never been to Anfield before.
I was decked out in red, of course and I carried a heavy wooden rattle which would be classed as a dangerous object in 1994. Once inside the Boys' Pen, I remember staring in bewilderment at the thousands who congregated under that famous roof. Their feelings for Liverpool were ultimate and their humour was unbeatable.
The best. I joined the Red Army that day.
That was my beginning and I'm sure that every Kopite will have his own similar story to tell. There was the place where we stood too ... a little piece of concrete, we felt, was our own personal property.
I still look at the spot which was mine.
Then came Bill Shankly and the greatest of all manager-supporter relationships began. It will never be equalled. The common bond and honest expression was unique. Fans and manager were inseperable. After today, of course, the old Kop will disapear and the new all-seater stand will be erected. The bricks and mortar will be different, but the people will remain the same. They have been the heartbeat of this Club and vital to its marvellous achievements. The volume of the Kop will be turned up to maximum whenever 100 percent is given on the pitch. It has always been that way.
Meanwhile, we welcome Norwich City on this extra special day and the players are eager to sign off the season in style. Football cannot be stage-managed but we will be aiming for an open thrilling game. Fortunately, our visitors also have a reputation for interesting and attacking football. I hope to see a performance which is fitting on this memorabe occasion.
Finally, it is my duty on behalf of the Club to thank everybody for their wonderful support this season.
