I am not so sure if the Kopites (red and white Kopites, unite!) are ‘enjoyinng’ this ‘newfound fan power’, but there’s definitely something to discuss as a Liverpool F.C fan and supporter. As a Kopite. There are articles that are now dealing with fan-ship in the current Liverpool FC and as like how another writer (by a certain Gulliem Balague) who writes that (in his blog):
“The power of the Liverpool fans is far superior to the power of fans at Barcelona, Madrid, Milan, Inter, Bayern, Manchester United, Arsenal, clubs that most of us will agree are decently run.”
The statement alone above requires quite an appreciation to reflection and consultation of what we Kopites are at our current state. Unfortunately, that state itself is being compromised with the current way the media paints us; or the more mainstream ones. Let us not forget, the chiefs of media, the writers, the photographers all have their own agenda in hand in each reports of news. That includes our own LFC.TV, but I believe my point is across on this.
This is not an attempt to re-write nor to in a way disregard the opinions of the media by a mere Kopite; rather I would like to engage and interact using my blog on this piece to propagate a view on the ‘hydra’ that is now growing in Liverpool F.C: The Fans and Supporters.
3 years ago, two Americans by the name of George Gillette and Tom Hicks arrived. The Kop faithful, despite the early alarm rung by a few welcomed them. They came with promises. Not only did they renegade and broke on them, but they nearly destroyed Liverpool F.C. It was by nick of hours before Fernway Sports Group, a consortium led by Tom Werner and John Henry. They came, they saw, they bought.
In a matter of a year, so many things changed, and we still are in that midst of transformation. The club grows, and evolves, so does it supporters. But its holy trinity wouldn’t, and we would not sell ourselves nor the club. But we are the club. Each and everyone of us. The supporters. Because the club plays for its supporters.
However, there’s an issue. We helped to pressure and topple the Hicks and George regime. We helped to bring the Hillsborough to justice (remember, we fight, we keep the faith that one day, justice will be served for the 96, and the victims’ honour to be restored as the club-matches-going merry, jolly supporters they were, not thieves, not hooligans, not scums, but supporters who loved their club, and we helped to deny the likes of Steve Cohen who would spread fears and lies to push his own agenda. But there is an issue, that newfound fan power and its becoming a hydra of sorts
but how much power do we fans and supporters have? Remember we are not ultras, and we should not be ultras. Now exist the ranks of Spirit of Shankly Union, and even those of unofficial splinter supporters group. In Malaysia the scene is quite bad with so many unofficial splinter groups when the Redsmen came to pay a visit in July.
We can exist in unison, though we are split in ranks and age and castes and degrees and all that. Because Liverpool F.C sees its supporters as supporters, the core of the club. But remember, with the newfound power, the bigger it is our responsibility to keep our club safe.
We can be different in our approach, but we will want to have the best interest of the club in our hearts.
You’ll Never Walk Alone.
