Introduction to AFC Liverpool from Yesteryear


Welcome to AFC Liverpool from Yesteryear.  In this blog, I will be sharing my recollection of various AFC Liverpool matches I have watched since the club was formed in 2008.

I don't claim to be a big time Liverpool fan, at least in terms of how many matches I attended prior to 2008.  That said, I went to Anfield more than enough times to understand that you are not a real fan if you just watch football on the television, or in a pub for instance.  I was fortunate to attend Liverpool v QPR on 28th April 1990.  That was the day the Reds clinched the last of the 18 titles they have won to date. 

Our 2-1 victory that day certainly wasn't my first visit to Anfield, and I had quite a number of others since.  For that reason, around 1998 I registered an interest in a Liverpool FC Season Ticket.  Predictably, I did have to go on the waiting list, and I remained on that waiting list for a number of years.

In 2008, a group of Liverpool fans set up a new non-league football club called AFC Liverpool, which was to be owned by fans as a co-operative.  This new club was presented not as a breakaway club, in the aftermath of the disastrous takeover at Anfield by two certain American businessmen.  Instead, it was promoted as a reaction to issues at the top end of football in general, with Liverpool fans priced out of top class football especially being targeted.

At the time I had been through a period of my life in which I had not been to a match for a few years.  The main reason for this was that I had been through a period of my life in which I believe I had more pressing financial priorities than football.  Following an address change, I was not sure if I was still even on the Liverpool FC season ticket waiting list.

When I had first read very briefly on the website of a major news network about AFC Liverpool, I did not straightaway see it as a calling in life.  Although the article I read was referring to AFC Liverpool as "an Affordable Club," my recollection of the headline was that it was also referring to AFC as "a Breakaway Club!"  So I was a bit  sceptical.  I will admit that.

A few days later, something in me was curious to find out a bit more about AFC Liverpool.  I went to look at the new club's website, with no hint that this could be for me.  To my total surprise, I found myself in almost complete agreement with many of the points that were made about why this football club was being set up.  Plus, the thought entered my head that this could be my last chance to be a proper football fan, as opposed to someone who just watches the game on a screen.

During a further few days of thought, I asked myself some perfectly reasonable questions, and probably some daft questions.  One question in the latter category was what would happen if the two Liverpools ever met in the FA Cup.  Admittedly even now, it is possible.  Nevertheless, very unlikely considering Liverpool have only faced Tranmere Rovers three times in cup competitions over the last thirty five years or so.  I did decide that AFC Liverpool was right for Andy Watson, and sent a cheque in the post to become a member.

As I mentioned Tranmere Rovers, I will come to one of the questions on the original AFC Liverpool website which helped shape my desire to become an AFC Liverpool member.  The question asked why the people setting up this football club did not simply just support an established non-league or lower league football club.  I have always had a soft spot for Tranmere, in part because I was born in Birkenhead.  I only lived in Birkenhead for the first few years of my life though.  Also, my parentage is in the City, or just on the edge (Bootle in the case of my Mother).  Plus, for whatever reason I had always resisted temptations to actually watch Tranmere.

Tranmere Rovers are not the only other club I could have supported, in addition to Liverpool FC.  I mainly grew up in Formby, which is about 10 miles north of the City boundary, on the road to Southport.  In my mid-teens, I did watch one Formby match in a cup competition.  I probably even cheered a bit when they took the lead, in a match which ended 1-1.  I still to the day don't know how they got on in the replay.  Besides, I think looking back I did not appreciate grassroots football at that time.  It wasn't watching Liverpool, and like many families who had moved to Formby, my family is Scouse.

Having now lived in Warrington for over 20 years, it was pleasing to see Warrington Town do well in the FA Cup of 2014/15.  Indeed, a few months before the creation of AFC Liverpool, I was asked by someone if I fancied coming to watch Warrington Town.  My response was immediate, and polite.  I simply could not see my heart being in Warrington Town.  Besides, in the 11 years I had lived in Warrington at that point in time, the thought of going to watch Warrington Town had not crossed my mind.

So there are a few teams I possibly could have followed in addition to Liverpool.  However, I agreed fully with the perspective on the AFC Liverpool website that you cannot magic support for a team out of thin air.  I also came to the conclusion that if I was ever destined to follow any of the teams mentioned above or another Merseyside non-league side, then it would probably would happened by that point in time.

In principle, the idea of a democratic football club with voting rights for members on issues like ticket prices, was very appealing.  Looking back, I consider the decision to join AFC Liverpool as my best footballing decision.  Sure, I still support Liverpool as well.  Ironically, I also now find myself in a position where I can go to Anfield more.  What I believe I get from AFC Liverpool stems from more than just watching a game of football. 

As one of a group of AFC fans known as the "AFC Liverpool Rattlers" I have one hell of a laugh which I would not get at Anfield.  If you are wondering, yes we do have actually have wooden rattles!  With the other two other original rattling gentlemen being senior citizens, I am known as "Junior Rattler!"  The two other original Rattlers are forever Alan and Dave.  Sadly, Alan passed away in October 2016.

The thought of not watching AFC Liverpool is for me, now unthinkable.  Believe me, you will very often get a better game at non-league level.  I personally can't imagine anything worse than watching a Premier League Match between a side managed by Sam Allardyce, and one managed by Tony Pulis.  Many Liverpudlians will identify with the chant of "a team of Carraghers."  Well, I can suggest that AFC's former Captain Jack Sinnott had that similar mentality on the pitch.  So dependable. 

Certain issues at the top of the English game in 2008 are still (if not more) relevant today, such as ticket pricing.  Why not join myself and the rest of the AFC congregation for a fantastic day out?

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