I made my first trip to Liverpool in 1993 during the paid and sorrow that was the Souness reign. The first time I seen Liverpool was at the old Wembley in the Charity Shield match against Leeds United in 1992 where a certain french man who would cause us more paid at Wembely scored a hat trick that sunny day. Following the match I nearly got my head kicked in by a bunch of Leeds fans until the heard my Irish accent!! The trip to Liverpool in 1993 was massive for me, to see Liverpool at Anfield was a dream even it was to see an extremely poor team. I remember how friendly the locals were and how sad they were at the state of the club, it was only afew years since we won number 18 so had to be hard for fans. We had tickets for the main stand but changed them for the Kop. The mighty Kop was some sight for me that cold October day, it wasn't full that day but at certain stages it came to life inspired by a young lad named Robbie Fowler who was only playing his fifth game for the club and ended up scoring a hat trick against Southampton. Matt le Tissier scored two fab goals as well and received a warm applause for his performance. My biggest memory was Ian Rush scoring a goal, one of my heroes from the great 80`s teams I watched on TV, to see him score as I stood on the Kop is hard to describe even in a routine league game on a cold, grey Saturday in Liverpool. I wished my first game was to see one of great teams of the 80's unfortunately I was too young and whilst the team in 1993 was a mess that October day they were perfect in my eyes at least for 90 minutes. Souness won`t survive much longer and we would go on journeys with Evans, Hollulier, Rafa bringing us back to the King in the search for number 19. Every time I walk up to that old stadium my heart still beats faster and a smile come across my face, even more since the return of the king.
Ah I love reminiscing!! The first trip was so memorable. It was in March 1996. Paddys weekend, beat Chelsea 2-0. My big bro (KK1977) took it upon himself to organise a surprise trip for his wee sister's 14th birthday. We left Donegal on a Thursday night at midnight to go to Dublin and we didn't get home until Sunday night at about 2am. A far cry from how things are done these days! Speke airport was very different to the airport today...but it was my first time flying so it was all mad! Was deadly though cos we took in the museum tour and Melwood and all the rest. Melwood was deadly cos we saw most players arriving and we were standing pitchside for the couple of hours. Got Ronnie Moran, Roy Evans, David Moores (and Mark Kennedy's...hmmm...) autograph on my jersey before the match - the green and white checked one. and I recall someone running up to Tony Warner shouting 'Stan Stan can I have your autograph?!' Good Lord!! We sat in the Centenary Stand and went into the Kemlyn Lounge before and after. The old shop was manic. Was nil-nil at half time but then Liverpool won it 2-0. Wright and Fowler. I had seen Liverpool in a couple of friendlies in Tolka Park and Oriel Park in the couple of years before that but it was nothing to going over. I had to wait til 1999 before he took me again, losing 3-2 to Man U. Suppose I can't really complain. Made up for it plenty since!
first trip was in 1978 what a sight all the greats thommo highway case scored a hatrick against bolton full stadium and a rendition of ynwa from a full kop and im in the thick of it what a buz never to be forgotton Liverpool 3 - 0 Bolton Wanderers Game date: 30.09.1978 Stadium: Anfield Competition: 1st Division Attendance: 47,099 Referee: Turner D Starting line-up 1 Ray Clemence 2 Phil Neal 3 Alan Kennedy 4 Phil Thompson 5 Ray Kennedy 6 Alan Hansen 7 Kenny Dalglish 8 Jimmy Case 9 Steve Heighway 10 Terry McDermott 11 Graeme Souness Subs 12 David Johnson Goals Jimmy Case 13' Jimmy Case 39' Jimmy Case 55' .