by Glofut » Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:51 pm
Some REAL bollox here, lads.
Ive sat on the Lower Centenary (Kemlyn) since I was 5 years of age with my Dad, who has had his season tickets there, in various places, for over 40 years. Before that he was a pay at the gate man, as were most and he started off in the boys' pen.
The Kemlyn Road stand was NEVER for singing, much less the Main Stand, and Im talking throughout the 70's and 80's too. The paddock (as was the lower rows of the Main Stand) used to do a bit but not a lot as was the standing Anfield Road End in those days.
The Kop was previously the place for the young men, and they sang. The rest of the ground was for the no less ardent, but more 'watching' types. The older fellas and the kids. Later the women.
But they were part of this club every bit as much as the Kop, because they provided the discussion and a lot of the criticism that kept this club's feet on the ground. That SOBER part of LFC's support has ALWAYS been there and will outlive any over-enthusiastic post-standing, previously-not-in-attendance nowadays-Kop-season-ticket-holder's support, in my opinion. Of ALL the stands at Anfield, I find it is THE KOP that has most tourists, and the LEAST authentic supporters Ive ever seen at Anfield, in among the hard core of lads who I'll see at away games every time.
There is more than one side to this club, and to its support. DON'T insult the passionate, even be it less songful, support of those who don't sit in the Kop. Ive seen the types who come into the Lower Centenary (day trippers, I swear) and moan throughout --- they want to sing all the way through --- go for it, enjoy --- but it's NOT my thing to sing blind faith to my team when I can see there are things I don't like about the way theyre playing. For one thing, it just aint very savvy, lads.
Ive lost my voice more times than I can say singing and shouting for my team, and as you may know the Centenary, Annie Rd and Main Stand all do their bit these days when its really needed. But dont slag off whole swathes of people who go through thick and thin to watch the Reds and have done for collectively 1000's of fking years!!!! Youre not in any position to do so. End of.
Faith is a passionate intuition.