Y.N.W.A. KOPITES 4 EVER!!!

The new season is upon us and like at the start of every season, the dissapointments of the last are soon forgotten. Ask a Spurs fan and he will totally agree...they have been doing that for ages.

It took the Mighty Reds, some time to financially match their bitter rivals so that we can put in a serious challenge for the title. But the summer has not only been busy for Britain's Greatest Football Club, but also for the Scums, Spurs, West Ham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle and even newly promoted Sunderland who can now boast having the most expensive goal keeper. Speculators, supporters, bookies, and couch managers have tipped us to be League Champs for the 19th time come May 2008.

What do you reckon? I know one hardcore supporter, who picked Liverpool University to read Law not because of its fantastic Law faculty but because he could be near his beloved Liverpool FC., who would be pessimistic For his dedication and efforts to choose Liverpool University, he was not only rewarded with a small scholarship from the university but also had the honour of standing (yes "standing") on the Kop before they installed seats. Some one just like me, and countless other Malaysian Reds, his love for this club which spans over 29 years, started when we were wee lads of 8 years watching recorded games on telly in black and white. It was happening at that time. Liverpool were "The Team".

It was that faithful Saturday, when I was forced to watch this football match by my older brother, who had already made the biggest mistake of his life by choosing to support Spurs. In his excitement about "his team", which could boast some pretty decent players like Ossie Ardiles, Glen Hoddle, Ricardo Villa just to name a few, he made me sit with him to watch a match he had already anticipated would be a white wash by Spurs. Being annoyed of having been forced by him, I decided to support the opposing team which I found out was named Liverpool. Made me feel a bit sick when I heard the name as I had my share of bad encounters with liver. Nevertheless, this team was mine for the next 90 minutes. Liver or no liver, this team in darker shade of grey was mine.

Spurs, a team that had two players from World Champions, Argentina seemed to look the stronger. But nevertheless, I wanted the other team just to make him eat his words. The match started and all I remember is the fluid movement of Liverpool. The speed in the passing made the opposing team look almost non-existent. Then it happened the goals started coming in starting with Daglish. By half time it was 3-0. My Spurs loving brother was in a foul mood. Like any 10 year old, he decided to complain to our Arsenal supporting father about my teasing. Did he get any sympathy? None!!! At that time we could not understand why?

"Fittingly, Liverpool saved the best till last. Breaking out of defence, Dalglish collected possession midway inside his own half and quickly laid the ball out to the right wing for David Johnson. Looking up, Johnson sent a long crossfield ball with the outside of the right foot into the path of the onrushing Steve Heighway. Without breaking stride Heighway sent over a raking cross to the far post where the marauding Terry McDermott arrived to head beyond Daines. It was a marvellous goal to cap a wonderful performance, arguably the finest given by any Liverpool team, and they churned out plenty of good ones during the 1970's and 80's. All around the pitch Tottenham players were left with hands on hips as pockets of Liverpool players celebrated both a goal and a performance which perhaps most adequately defined them."

By the end, which could not come soon enough for me bro, but too soon for me, it was 7-0 to these men from Liverpool. The voices of the fans singing You'll Never Walk Alone made my stomach tingle even through the speakers of that little 14" black n white tv. The scenes of hundreds of fans moving in rhythm on what I later learned was The Kop, made me stand in awe.

That was it!!! It was the start of a life long passion and obsession. It was the start of rivalry between brothers which still continues 29 years on. It was Liverpool or nothing. I had surrendered to the Anfield charm. Passion that has not only led to pure joy but also to total sadness. This Club has done it all to me! We have seen it all. Victories!! Disasters!!! Yet the anthem sings on!!! It just has to. That is what it is all about. "When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high....".

Even if we never win another trophy, the anthem will go on. The passion and obsession will not die, for we are The Mighty Reds!!!! No one can take that away from us. Money, big commercial deals, high profile players and managers that come and go and new high tech stadium will not change Liverpool FC unlike what it has done to other clubs which have affiliations with teams accross the Atlantic in totally different sports, like baseball (no prizes for guessing which sell out team that is). Money will never replace the passion of The KOP!!!!

2007-2008 will be, I believe, a season to remember. We will see one of the closes title challenges. The title could be won by one of 6 teams. No doubt I will pray that when the dust settles it will be the Red Scousers from accross the Mersey holding aloft not only their 6th European Cup but also their 19th Leauge Trophy!!!!

COME ON YOU REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!