Liverpool FC Forum

[A.B.]

Liverpool supporters earned some small consolation for their Carling Cup defeat after setting a new record for the world's loudest fans.
Cardiff Council officials measured the noise levels at both ends of the ground for the final and the Merseysiders roared ahead with a maximum reading of 130.7 decibels, four decibels higher than Chelsea and two higher than the current world record for the 'Loudest Stadium Roar' held by the Denver Broncos (128.74 decibels, set in October 2000).

The loudest point came when John Arne Riise put Liverpool ahead in the first minute with Chelsea only able to reach a high of 126.5 decibels.

Liverpool's average volume level was also higher at 93.5 decibels compared with Chelsea's 92.2 decibels.

Steven Gerrard's name recorded a decibel count four higher than any other player as the team line-ups were announced.

Sam Ward, Carling Cup Sponsorship Manager, said: "The Carling Cup is all about the fans and what a performance from both sets of supporters. This year's competition has attracted more fans than any before and smashing the world record is a great way to top it off."

We might have lost the 2005 Carling Cup final on the pitch but when it came to the supporters off it, the Liverpool fans were in a different league to their southern rivals and not just in terms of noise.

As was the case when Liverpool played Arsenal and Manchester United in the same Cardiff stadium in recent years, the Liverpool supporters not only made the most noise but also provided the most colour.

A handful of flags with the St Georges Cross on the them in the Chelsea end was no match for the colour, wit and originality of the hundreds of banners and flags on display in the Liverpool end.

Amongst all of the flags and chants, it was a scene in Westgate Street before the match that really summed up the unique nature of Liverpool fans. As the street bristled with anticipation with kick-off less than an hour away, a sea of Liverpool fans opened up to allow three men through with a massiveframed portrait of Rafael Benitez. The street went mad as this giant Rafa portrait made it's way down the street. It was the sort of scene you see on the news in the Middle East not outside a football stadium in Wales but it looked pure class and again highlighted that off the pitch at least, we're a class above every team in Europe.

[Tobin*LFC*]

this is brilliant to hear.. keep it coming  

[Dalglish]

I touched that picture in a mock "Ayattollah" procession that swept through the streets of cardif. You sensed it would have real significance but at the same time it was so like the Scousers to pull a stunt like this.

[dawson99]

love that story. optimistic, happy, more liek what we need...nice one!!!!

[supersub]

great post AB and right on the nail.chetski had 4 blue banners and the miserly rest were england banners supplied by the new fans they've acquired this season,all probably ex Leyton Orient,Wimbledon,Fulham,Charlton,Barnet(you get the picture).

Reading this thread led me to dig out a report from the Los Angeles Times back in 1981.I've had to leave out a few Paragraphs to try and keep the article as short as possible.

LIVERPOOL'S PARISIAN SPRING
by Grahame L.JonES,Times Staff Writer

PARIS___They gathered in small clusters and in large groups along the tree-lined streets and boulevards of this most beautiful of European cities.
    Along the Champs Elysees they strolled and passed the sidewalk cafes of Avenue D'lena and thechic boutiques of Avenue George V.Beneath the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower they stood,talking in a foreign tongue,not quite English as the Queen would speak it.
     Strangers in a strange land as evening turned to night.

     It was dusk on the eve of the most important of all club soccer championships,the European Cup Final to be played between England's Liverpool and Spain's Real Madrid,a classic confrontation between two of the most successful soccer teams ever.
     And now,24 hours before the kick-off at Parc des Princes Stadium,the Liverpool supporters were taking in the sights of Paris,just as they had done in Rome four years earlier when Liverpool scored its first European Cup triumph.
     The French authorities,suspecting the worst from English fans who have been known to run riot in foreign cities they visit,were out in force.The city had placed 1800 police on duty,including several units of it's elite Compagnies Republicaines de Securite,the riot police.
     Menacingly impressive in their black uniforms,complete with helmets and visors,riot shields,batons,tear gas guns and rifles,the policewere prepared for anything.
     As matters turned out,there was little for them to do,but perhaps their presence alone made the difference.
     No team in the world has the type of support enjoyed by Liverpool,which has thousands of followers at every away game,no matter where.Although the club had been allocated only 12,000 tickets for the match in Paris,more than 25,000 of the Liverpool faithful made their way here.
      By contrast,Real Madrid had less than 10,000 fans from Spain,and that fact was to play an important role the following evening.

      Parc des Princes Stadium looks like a home-away-from-home for Liverpool.All that's missing is the Mersey,but the Seine will do quite nicelyin it's stead.
      By 8 p.m.,the afternoon's rainclouds have been cleared by a light breeze and the sky is a deep blue.Both inside and outside the strikingly modern,50,000 capacity stadium,however,the predominant color is red.
     The fans from the English port city that also gave the world the Beatles have virtually taken over the stadium.The contingent of Real Madrid fans,tucked away in one end of the ground,are vastly out-numbered and certainly out-shouted.
     The Real fans have brought a band with them,but its music,featuring an incessant drum-beat,is drowned by the singing of the thousands of redclad Liverpool supporters,many of whom have had to pay as much as 1,000 francs($200) for a black market ticket.
     The Liverpool fans also win the battle of the banners,theirs being far more numerous and imaginative than the flags waved by the Madrid contingent.
     "Hala Madrid Pena 'Las Banderas'" and "Pena Madridista Campeon El Espina" read two of the dozen or so Real banners.
      The other end of the stadium and most of the way around its horseshoe-like curve is a sea of Liverpool banners.Huge Union Jacks emblazoned with "Liverpool the Record Makers" and "Kings of Europe" adorn the stands.
      A touch of humour is evident in some of the fans' handiwork."Liverpool Score de Gaulles" says one sign,an atrocious pun on the former French pesident's name;"Scouse(a Liverpudlian dish) Tastes better than Paella,Ole!" reads another.
      A third banner,referring to the superb collection of trophies won by Liverpool over the past decade and obviously the work of a country music fan,states bluntly that Liverpool has "More Cups than Dolly Parton".
     Even the French get in on the act with a sign that reads;"Allez Les Rouges"(Go the Reds)
     But it is the singing of the Liverpool fans that creates the greatest impression,especially among the 520 sportswriters and 80 photographers from throughout Europe who have come to cover the Final.
     The band fronm the French navy and the one brought by the Real fans stand no chance against this mass on-slaught of sound.Throughout the game and long afterwards,the fans run through the entire repertoire of Liverpool songs.
     The singingis spontaneous,one fan starts,others around him join in and swiftlythe thousands of Liverpool supporterspacking the stadium are in unison.The sound rises and falls,carrying far beyondthe confines of the stadium and into the city beyond.
     It is a moving experience,and an intimidating one for the teams who play against Liverpool.
     The game itselfis a dogged struggle,with neither team willing to give away anything.The tackles are fierce,the running ceaseless,but the overall quality of play is not what had been expected.There are individual flashes of brilliance,to be sure,but they are few and far between.
    This Final appears to be heading for over-time when a scoreless deadlock remains with less than 10 minutes left.A sudden mistake by weary Spanish defender Rafael Cortes allows Liverpool's Alan Kennedy to break clear to the left of the Madrid goal,however,and Kennedy makes no mistake with his shot into the lower righthand corner of the net.
     The stadium erupts and Liverpool,urged on by the crowd and sensing victory,comes close to adding a second goal in the dying moments.But one goal is enough and,as the fans chant "Champions of Europe,Champions of Europe",the final whistle sounds.
    As the team parades the gleaming silver trophy around the stadium,the strains of Liverpool's traditional song,"You'll Never Walk Alone" echoes into the night sky.
    Another chapter has been added to the history of the European Cup.

[woof woof !]

Nice one AB, and you too Super Sub . A great reminder of how important it is to make our voices heard in both victory and defeat .
Walk On .

[taff]

Totally biased opinion but I can honestly say that from a Cardiff point of view its been an absolute pleasure having the finals but the scousers in particular.

Wevev seen some great sights down here and the support shown has left an impression on football and rugby fans

YNWA 

[supersub]

  more stories to wet the appetite and a little self congratulation too boot!

[zarababe]

I wonder what the decibal count would have been at Anfield .. a few weeks ago... bet the counter would have been rocketed right of the scales...

.. since our famous semi-final night.. so many clubs have used the example set by our grt fans to urge their teams on.. kinda makes u sooooo proud and honoured to be associated with those wonderful  loud "gobs" that have made our club so famous the world over time and time again ...