My name is Robbie, and I am not a Liverpool fan.
However, it has been hard to ignore the negative press that Liverpool have been receiving recently, both from regular fans and from football pundits. The general charge has been that Liverpool fans must get to grips with the reality of their situation, that they are no longer a top club and that they must alter their expectations accordingly. The horrendously protracted sale of the club did their image no favours either, and gave many a Liverpool detractor their moment in the sun.
I think that the notion of the ‘big club’ is as outdated as it is elitist, but one thing is striking when one talks to Liverpool supporters. For fans who supposedly believe they have a right to win everything in style, it is rather suprising to find out that actually, they don’t. They really don’t. Time and time again I have spoken to Liverpool fans, expecting a barrage of unrealistic predictions and lofty ambitions. And time and time again it doesn’t happen.
This set me thinking, and I have a theory on why Liverpool fans – and other fans of ‘big clubs’ who aren’t winning things – are misunderstood. Liverpool fans do not believe they have a right to success, they believe they have a right to expect a certain standard at their club – in the way the finances are run, in the public image, in the quality of players and in the style of play. Why shouldn’t followers of a club which has in the past epitomised professionalism, community spirit, local pride and sporting success expect it to continue? Why shouldn’t they demand high standards on and off the pitch? Why shouldn’t they herald what the club means to them? Why shouldn’t they be proud of their history?
They don’t want to see their club auctioned off, squabbled over and bargained for. They aren’t particularly happy with a coach who errs on the side of negativity, and more than anything they demand their club behaves on and off the pitch to a level akin to what they are used to and what they have become world famous for. There is, after all, a reason they are so internationally respected – that respect certainly wasn’t borne out of financial squabbling, profiteering and negativity on the pitch.
There are certain clubs that inspire civic pride and which define their supporters. Liverpool is one of them. So hey, lets stop this one dimensional criticism of the club and their supporters – I’d bet that the majority of them aren’t bothered about being Champions – they just want the class back.
Comments Welcome
Robbie