BBC Panorama 1964 documentary on Liverpool fans bringing 'Pop to the Kop'. The Beatles. Cilla Black. "It used to be thought that Welsh rugby crowds were the most musical and passionate in the world but I've never seen anything like this Liverpool crowd." John Morgan.
Robertson open letter
It feels a bit self-important writing a letter like this, if I’m honest. But when I was asked, I didn’t want to miss the chance to say thank you to a city and a community that has made me and my family feel like one of their own from day one.
Let me start with something that probably sounds more suited to a letter in The Herald back in Glasgow.
I’m a proud Glaswegian. I always will be. I love telling people where I’m from. It’s part of who I am. It’s where I was born, where I was raised and it’ll forever be in my blood.
But after nine years here, I’ve realised there’s room in my heart for two cities.
Liverpool will forever define a huge part of my life.
Honestly, I think the reason me and my family settled so quickly is because Liverpool reminded us so much of home.
The humour, the people, the mentality — it all felt familiar straight away. At times it genuinely feels like Glasgow and Liverpool are only separated by two different accents.
Both cities have that working-class spirit. Pride. Defiance. People who say what they think. No airs and graces. What you see is what you get.
And more than anything, both places value honesty. There’s something real about Liverpool. People here can spot nonsense a mile off, and I’ve always respected that.
I know from the outside my connection to this city will always be tied to the football club and everything we achieved together. Of course I’m immensely proud of that. How could I not be?
But for me and my wife, our bond with Merseyside goes much deeper than football.
Rachel and I arrived in 2017 as a young couple expecting our first child. Like me, Rach is fiercely proud of being from Glasgow. We actually went to school together, which probably tells you how long she’s had to put up with me.
Looking back now, we probably underestimated how daunting it was — moving to a new city, away from family, about to become parents for the first time.
But Liverpool instantly made us feel comfortable. And the incredible people at Liverpool Women’s Hospital made us feel safe at a time in our lives where that meant everything.
Over the nine years, two became five. Liverpool is where our little team was built.
A lot of teammates — mainly James Milner to be fair — loved winding me up about being captain of Scotland while having three kids born in England. But I’m always quick to correct them. They’re not English. We’ve got three proper little Scottish Scousers.
And honestly, we couldn’t be prouder of that.
The kids probably sum us up best really — Glaswegians with a Liverpool passport.
My wider family feel exactly the same way about this city.
For even more clarity.. yes, there is a foul on Raya. But there are atleast 4 other fouls happening at the same time, all by Arsenal players impeding West Ham players trying to attack a corner? 🤷♂️
Can an Arsenal fan tell me what Trossard is doing here?
Back in 1983, Brian Clough had a crack at presenting for Granada television, hosting a tribute programme for Bob Paisley just after the Liverpool manager’s retirement.
No media training needed here. This was Clough in his prime, and he did it his way.
Steven Gerrard on Trent:
"Trent was arguably playing in one of the best LFC teams ever, one of the favourites to compete for the UCL. [Trent] had in the palm of his hands all that I craved for in my career."
Rest in peace Chris Rea. Famous for his wonderful husky, bluesy voice. We've all heard "Driving Home For Christmas" on the radio recently, but my favourite song is "Road to Hell". The full version is hardly ever played. It's well worth listening to, so I'm posting it here.
🗓️ On This Day | 1959
Bill Shankly took over as Manager, thirteen days after his appointment was announced. He’d go on to turn our club into a football team that would dominate English and European football.
Today could - and should - have been a watershed moment for the 97 and their families.
A moment when, finally, some of those responsible were confronted with the truth they've spent decades avoiding.
Instead, it feels like another missed opportunity. After a 13-year investigation, the IOPC's report is too little, too late.
It tells us nothing the Hillsborough families haven't carried with them for years: that their loved ones were catastrophically failed - and then vilified in a disgraceful cover-up.
The truth remains: 97 innocent people - British citizens - were unlawfully killed. Yet no individual or institution has ever been held accountable through our justice system.
There's been no collective responsibility for the catastrophic failures that led to the disaster.
No reckoning for the officers who shirked their duties and led a campaign to blame Liverpool supporters. And no closure for the families who've fought with dignity, strength and courage. Justice remains agonisingly out of reach.
The legacy of the 97 must now be justice in law. The Hillsborough Law - currently progressing through Parliament - would help ensure that no other bereaved families are ever forced to endure such a prolonged, unconscionable ordeal.
LETS ALL LAUGH AT ARSENAL😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂