Selected extracts from 'Red All Over The Land' no.25

On sale from Friday July 24th 1998 (Crewe Alex.(a)).

SONGS TO SING pt one

It was the KOP that caused me to fall in love with LFC even though at that time [1982] we were winning everything in sight, and I had to defend myself constantly as not a 'glory hunter.' The KOP for me was all about freedom, wit, and camaraderie. I was only eight at the time and for me, up until 1994, the KOP was an extension of my classroom. In school, your mates surrounded you and the teachers were there in front of you on a pedestal to skit. Simple as that. The KOP was the same although we skitted opposing teams and supporters and praised our team with fabulous songs.

I can remember when 'Boys from the Blackstuff' came out and Souness was christened 'Yosser' and any time Brucie would make a save, the KOP would sing, "We can do that Brucie, we can do that."

It became an obsession for me, especially the fashion, Liverpool/Celtic bobble hats, even though I'm not a Scouse, it was our own sub-culture and I loved it.

I feel there is not enough about the KOP, the real KOP, in print. Even 'RAOTL' do not dwell too much on past glories despite the current shambles. There are not many videos of old games for a start. E.g. St Etienne, Bruges 1976, Zurich 1977, or, bar Rome 1977, none of our Euro wins are available on video. Imagine if the Mancs had won it last season! We've won it four times and only one [Rome '77] and that was a BBC idea like 'The story of the KOP'. Surely the footage is there, I mean great excerpts of 'The KOP flies east' [as mentioned in 'TTWAR'] was shown in 'Reds in Europe.' How this wasn't featured in 'The story of the KOP' I will never know.

Also in print, the same KOP stories appear - Gary Sprake, Mary Brown etc. The fashion/political conscious 1980's is ignored, the era of Jimmy Kelly and the scab taunts. What about yourself, John Mackin or the brilliant Eddie Cotton, writing a book about the real KOP? I believe that the Mancs tried to take the KOP in 1981 and 'murder' ensued; yet this is never heard or told today. I'm sick of hearing about Inter 1965, great though it seemed. There must be a thousand songs/chants unrecorded. I can even remember your account of "Here we go gathering Cups in May" at the 1965 semi-final at Villa Park in 'TTWAR.' There must be stories around, songs etc, even present stuff - like singing "Babb" to the tune of 'Match of the Day' - is forgotten. Okay, I know he's crap, terrible, but why can't we take the piss even still - remember Barry Venison against Tirol in 1992. I like the KOP chart but I can't go to Anfield now. What's the point? I obviously can't get tickets for the 'aways' so I miss out on any atmosphere generated. The modern Anfield is a nightmare.

Still, roll on next season. 'Evo' still in charge - I can't wait. Another season of Leonhardsen, Bjornebye's arrogance, Babb's clumsiness, Jamie Redknapp's tackles, Stevie Mac waving his arms and playing shite in the big games, Jase 'the ace' - he's so funny that man, 'Evo's' smugness - I cannot wait.

Anyway, I close with a few witty ditties for the KOP book [remember that?]

[1] Remember the tune of "Let's go" which is also known as the 'St John/Fowler' chant. Try this:

"L-F" , "L-F-C" , "L-F-C RULE OK!" ....... Not brilliant, but not bad.

Here is something - don't know any tune but it comes from a poem in the Liverpool Supporters Club when Shankly died:

"When I was young all I used to dream , Was about Shanks and to play in his team , Shankly took us to Europe, right to the top , And made us all proud to stand on the Kop"

Here are some words to the tune of "Yellow Submarine." They are different to the ones you printed before but I have actually heard these words sung by Scousers on the KOP - so they must be right:

"Every Saturday afternoon , We support a team called Liverpoo , And we sing them to the top , On the Red and White Spion Kop , We all live on a Red and White Kop, a Red and White Kop" etc.

To the tune of "We are the Reds, We are the Reds" etc:

"Scousers are - Scousers are - Scousers are - DYNAMITE"

How about reworking the "Albert Stubbins" song for Robbie Fowler?

"R-O-B, B-I-E , Robbie Fowler is the one for me"

I this heard on a train full of pissed exiled Reds going back to London after the "Kops last stand." I believe there was a song called, "Graeme's Army Are We" and I don't know if this is something similar. The tune is "Sons of the Desert" and was sung in the brilliant Laurel and Hardy film of the same name. Brilliant {Have I said that?] These are the words:

"We are the sons of the Shankly Red Army having the time of our lives , Marching along, ten thousand strong with our tools and knives - we love them , Tramp, tramp, tramp, the Reds are marching , Marching to a victory , Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, Sons of the Shankly Red Army are we."

This is the last one and it's one I've made up simply because I don't like David Platt. I didn't like his celebration in front of the KOP back in 1990 or his 'Tic Tac' ad! The tune is "Postman Pat" - now there's a surprise!

"David Platt, David Platt, David Platt is a fucking twat"

Just to add a few postscripts. I just heard the end of the "We don't carry bottles" song on the McIlvanney video tribute to Shankly, Stein and Busby. Why wasn't that in the "Story of the Kop?"

In a LFC programme [Norwich Nov 30th 1991] the performance of the KOP against Auxerre was praised. Also mentioned is a CBS recording of the KOP from the early seventies that was presented to the club. There is stuff around.

Can anyone help out? Does anyone know where I can get any old videos or a copy of Andrew Thomas' "Home and Away" 1994/95 season?

DAVE BRENNAN

John Mac says: " Well Dave, when I eventually finish the Kop Songbook 'O Come All Ye Faithful' you should be able to enjoy over 100 Kop songs.Including most of the ones you mention above. It has BOTH versions of 'Yellow Submarine'. You're right. The one you include is the more well known - the other one is a bit longer. I'd never heard the 'Sons of the Desert' one - it's good but I'm having trouble getting it to scan. Any more obscure songs out there for inclusion in the book? "

Theatre Review: "WAITING FOR HILLSBOROUGH"

Recently there was a theatre production based on events surrounding the Hillsborough Disaster. Dave Waller, a regular contributor to 'RAOTL' went along and sent us this report.

I'm not really a theatre-goer, but when I saw this play advertised in 'The Echo' it seemed worthwhile to see what it was like; in support of any exercise raising awareness of the justice fight and keeping the issue in the public eye. Apparently a London writer, inspired to do something after seeing Jimmy McGovern's TV documentary-drama wrote it. If the people in power had been similarly motivated into action by the injustices highlighted in that programme, there would be no need for such a play.

The stage was divided into two Families living rooms, with a replica of the entrance to the infamous tunnel to pens three and four in between. Above the stage a map of the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough, showing the turnstile, exit gates, tunnel and the pens provided a clear explanation of the setting of the events described later, without having to attempt a graphic recreation of the scene.

The play featured fictional characters obviously based heavily on fact, and tells the story of the two Families experiences throughout that day. It starts, before those going to the match have left, with light-hearted scenes of breakfast and planning the night out after the match. I guess this is necessary to remember that it was just an ordinary Saturday at that point, to highlight the enormity of what happened. However, it sits slightly uncomfortable alongside the gravity of later scenes, for the audience who knows what's going to happen.

The story of the Families afternoon - initially just watching TV, shopping etc., - is punctuated by statements from people at Hillsborough [fans of both teams, and later a WPC, doctors and local residents], and passages read from the Taylor Report, about the developing situation.

The concerns of those left at home for those at the ground, with only television and a telephone help-line [which nobody answers] for information, forms the basis of the play - a story that has maybe been under-emphasised before. Thousands of people, who weren't at the ground, or bereaved, went through that experience. The helplessness, the anguish of not knowing, possible guilt at hoping it wasn't their loved-ones in the ever growing death toll; the unbearable wait for a potentially life-changing telephone call. As the play says, Hillsborough scars them all.

The statements from the ground are incredibly powerful, even more than McGovern's programme, as the actors are right in front of you, particularly in a small theatre. The acting throughout is excellent, wavering all the emotion.

Next seasons fixtures see Liverpool playing at Hillsborough on May 8th. There is strong feeling among some fans that this game should be boycotted. If this is to happen, it must be total, which will take some organising. There is, at least, plenty of time to do this, although a game so near the end of the season would be important for football reasons. I don't know if it would be in breach of Premier League regulations for Liverpool to refuse to sell tickets for the game. If not, this would is the safest way of stopping people going.

It is a difficult situation, because people have wildly different opinions. If I had my way, no Liverpool fans would go to Hillsborough until that stand is knocked down and there is a decent memorial. Clearly others feel differently, as our ticket allocations continues to be a sell out year after year. Do some fans have the right to stop others going to a game - even for the strongest reasons?

This is the strongest statement we can make in support of the Families quest for justice, but there needs to be some consensus. Five thousand empty seats sends out the message that Justice for the 96 is our top priority as Liverpool fans. We have nearly a year to decide whether that's the time.

DAVE WALLER

Hillsborough News Update

Some of you may be aware that there are now two groups working towards justice for people who suffered at Hillsborough. The two groups are not related although they have a similar goal, which is justice. Red All Over The Land has always supported the Hillsborough Families Support Group and will continue to do so. That is not to say that we do not agree with the new group whose address is included on this update. Our opinion is that the Families have come so far and have reached a very vital stage of their campaign that we feel that they should get as much support as possible. However, if either group want us to carry any publicity for them we shall do so and not discriminate against either.

The address of the original Families group is:

HILLSBOROUGH FAMILIES SUPPORT GROUP, Secretary Mr P HAMMOND, 21 ROSEMONT ROAD, LIVERPOOL, L17 6BX

The address of the newly formed group is:

HILLSBOROUGH SURVIVORS AND RELATIVES AND SUPPORTERS FOR JUSTICE CAMPAIGN, Chairman Mr P CARNEY, 134 OAKFIELD ROAD, ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL, L4 0UG

Letters to the fanzine re. Hillsborough.

Dear 'RAOTL'

After the appalling decision against the Hillsborough Families I, like many others, wrote to Jack Straw just to let him know the disgust felt by me and a lot of others after our trust in the Labour Party for so many years had been ignored. Enclosed is the letter back. I think that you will agree that it says nothing. After reading it, I wondered why they wasted the ink!

TONY HOLLAND

Ed's comments - The letter Tony received back from the Government office was basically the same as others received which means that they continue to stand by what they said back in February. They appear to want congratulating for the fact that they [The Government] will try and change the rules so that the Police will not be able to hide behind 'retirements' in the future. I bet the families of the 96 are delighted with that breakthrough!

Dear 'RAOTL'

I sent this letter to Sheffield Wednesday.

I am appalled and disgusted that there is no memorial at Hillsborough outside the Leppings Lane end for the 96 Liverpool supporters who died in your stadium, on your terrace.

I visited Hillsborough on Saturday 14th February for the match between Wednesday and Liverpool. It was my first visit to Hillsborough and I found it very emotional to visit a place where 96 people had died just because they wanted to watch a football match. I brought some flowers with me as a mark of respect to the 96 people who died on that tragic day in 1989, and to my shock and horror I was not allowed to take the flowers with me into the ground. A female steward told me that I could lay them at the memorial site. "Where is the memorial site," I asked. She laughed. I find it appalling that one of SWFC's employees can laugh at such a thing. Maybe it was my poor sense of humour but nothing to do with 96 people being crushed to death is a laughing matter.

I was then informed that the memorial site was a triangle in the middle of a road. What an insult to the people who died at Hillsborough and the families of those people. A pedestrian island in the middle of a busy road was the memorial site - what a DISGRACE!

If the Liverpool supporters are not permitted to take flowers into the ground, God knows why, then the least Sheffield Wednesday can do is build a fitting memorial outside Leppings Lane for the 96 people who died on Saturday April 15th 1989. All I, and thousands of Liverpool fans want is to be able to pay their respects to the people who died at Hillsborough when visiting the place where they lost their lives. Is that too much to ask?

ONONIMOUSE RED

Keep sending your letters regarding anything that is related to Hillsborough. In the next issue we will be reporting on the proposed boycott and anything else that is relevant.

Dear 'RAOTL'

My nephew, a Crystal Palace fan season ticket holder, went to the recent Liverpool - Palace match and brought back a copy of 'RAOTL,' issue 23 for me to read.

It was pleasing to see that Liverpudlians [which I presume you and your columnists are], capacity for whinging self pity is still alive and well. Anytime misfortune touches Liverpool it's always the fault of someone else and "Why does it have to happen to us?"

For example, Heysel, Hillsborough, unemployment, sacked Dockers, Degsey, and drugs: these are never the fault of Liverpudlians of course. Just blame an "old stadium" [Heysel/Hillsborough], the police [see Heysel/Hillsborough], those responsible for ticket sales [see Heysel/Hillsborough], Belgian and English Football Associations, UEFA, the Government [for everything] etc., etc., etc.

You should realise that, apart from Liverpool supporters, very few people give a monkey's about memorials, compensation for families, vendettas against the 'Sun' etc. Opposing supporters may be polite and of course respect a minute's silence, and the odd anorak might contribute an anniversary flower or two, but apart from that, forget it.

Did the Bradford/Juventus/Rangers bereaved families insist on compensation? Do they want everyone to feel sorry for them all the time? No, they have the inner strength to grieve silently, and then get on with their lives while always remembering the loved ones they have lost. Do the supporters of these teams hold permanent grudges against everyone and anyone, wanting a minute's silence here, a floral tribute there? No.

The only matter relating to Hillsborough where I would agree that Liverpool supporters have a right to feel insulted is the compensation paid to certain police officers for trauma and stress related illnesses [so they say]. It was a disgrace that the men involved should ask for money and an even bigger disgrace that the money was paid to them.

Despite my address, I was brought up in Glasgow in the fifties and sixties so I'm certainly no southerner who thinks that everyone north of Watford lives in caves. I obviously remember well the Old Firm clashes and what went on before, during and after the game. Most of the supporters of both sides turn up at the turnstiles ten minutes before kick off after spending time in the pub which is only natural.

Because of this do you expect me and others to believe that, at Hillsborough, all those Liverpool supporters arrived at the last minute because they had been delayed in traffic? Of course some were drunk, and it does you and all Liverpool supporters no good at all to pretend otherwise.

I doubt the above will have any effect whatsoever on your opinions and beliefs, but it may help you to realise that not all are blinkerd in attitude, but instead take a more honest and realistic view of life's tragedies.

P.S. Did Liverpool FC or their supporters ever apologies formally to Juventus for causing the deaths of their supporters? Not to my knowledge

SHAMROCK FABIO SURBITON SURREY

Ed's comment: I felt that everyone should have the opportunity to read the contents of this letter. The writer should first know that very few of the people who write to this fanzine are 'Liverpudlians' and neither am I, we just happen to support Liverpool FC although many of us have connections with the City through relatives etc.

Without me commenting on the feelings of the people of Glasgow, Turin or Bradford he should realise that many a fight is still ongoing in respect of disasters in this country, the only difference is that they did not happen in a football stadium. Lord Justice Taylor exonerated Liverpool fans, as did Lord Justice Stuart-Smith. The police themselves have in many cases owned up but in the case of the guilty they are now hiding behind police procedures - something that Jack Straw is intent on changing. In the case of the 'odd anorak' bringing flowers he should pay a visit to the memorial and check out just who does leave flowers. We get many fans of other clubs coming up to us and lending their support, he should also look at the '97 concert and sales of the CD. The support for the Hillsborough campaign is growing, not diminishing.

He may be interested in this comment that I found in a copy of 'Police Review.' "In my view, and that of the relatives of the victims, the management of South Yorkshire Police still has the blood on its hands of the deaths of 96 people, whose only crime was that of attending a football match." That comment was attributed to a Police Sergeant.

Regarding Heysel, Liverpool FC and Liverpool supporters did apologise and the bond between the supporters of the two clubs is stronger now than it was pre Heysel.

I just wonder if he 'mourned' when HRH died and what his thoughts might be on the continued inquests etc., into what actually happened that night in Paris? Not to mention the massive interest in the attempts to honour her name since the accident. I will let anyone who wants to comment on the contents of his letter do so.

Beckham jokes.-

For your amusement

Q. What's the difference between David Beckham and a pot of jam? .......A. One's a useless piece of shit who dashed the hopes of a nation and the other's a rather pleasant fruit conserve.

Q. How many people would it take to change a light bulb in David Beckham's house? ..... A. Three, one to change the bulb, one to kick seven barrels of shit out of Beckham and one to torch his palatial and undeserved home.

Q. What's the similarity between David Beckham and a diamond ring? ..... A. They both come in a posh box.

Q. Why does Posh Spice always go on top? .... A. Because David Beckham can only f*** up.

Beckham's lucky he wasn't a Colombian, anyone who lets them down gets shot!