Anfield - Liverpool FC
Tuesday 19th March 2002
Vs AS Roma, Champions League, 7.45pm
By Chris Ruse

Having contacted the Plymouth branch of the Liverpool Supporter's Club almost two month's previously, we (myself, Martin, Sean and Mike) were surprised to find that we were lucky enough to get tickets for the match. Cue two weeks of nervous anticipation for my mates and I, even though I am a die-hard Plymouth fan (Liverpool is my second team). Finally, the day arrived and we joined up with the Supporter's Club to make the journey by coach to Anfield. We traveled for six and a quarter hours, with a stop just before Wolverhampton, passing Walsall's Bescot Stadium on the way, one of my trips for next season with Plymouth Argyle. We pulled into the service station and happened to park right next to a coach full of traveling AS Roma supporters, what are the odds of that?!?!

After a long journey, we finally arrived in Liverpool. As we slowly crawled through the streets of Liverpool our excitement reached fever pitch, we couldn't wait! Then we saw Anfield, and what a sight it was. We approached the ground from the Anfield Road end of the ground, trying to find a place to park, by now we desperately wanted to get off. Ten minutes later we were off, as we walked through the car park towards the Anfield Road Stand. We were to be seated in the Kop Grandstand, so this gave us a chance to walk around the outside of the ground.

We turned back towards the Kop end and took photos of each other in front of the Paisley Gateway. Then, a moment which I will remember for many a year. One of my mates, who decided to look after our tickets, unconsciously walked through the masses with them held, unconcealed, in his hand! IN LIVERPOOL! A steward was quick to notice this, and - after asking him if he wanted to keep them - unlocked a gate and escorted us to our turnstile. Very friendly

We went inside and immediately I noticed a real sense of organisation about this place. There were very small queues at the food and drink outlets, and the stewarding system was the best I've seen so far. One steward even insisted on taking our group photographs for us. Considering that all four of us each had a camera, and each of us wanted the same shots, he very patiently did this. Another steward allowed us, one by one, down to the advertising hoardings to take photos of the players warming up. All of the stewards I met on the day were the nicest people you would ever hope to meet.

 

The variety of food and drink was good, and not too pricey (Sausage Roll - £1.50, bottle of water - £1.20). We then took up our seats in the Kop end, Row 57! Although we were far away from the pitch, the view was very good, with no supporting pillars anywhere in the ground. This is with the exception of the Anfield Road end, which is a two-tiered structure, with one directly above the other. I would recommend the other areas of the ground - excluding the Kop - to fans who would wish to be seated for the majority of the game. This is because, once the match started, all the Kop Grandstand took to their feet. For the entire match.

A goal apiece for Jari Litmanen and Emile Heskey sealed a great result for Liverpool and possibly ranked as one of Liverpool's greatest moments. The atmosphere was brilliant, I didn't stop singing throughout the duration of the match. Also, the fans' rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" was extremely emotional, you couldn't see the match for scarves! Liverpool won with a 2-0 scoreline to progress to the quarterfinals of the Champion's League.

The stadium emptied quicker than the three division three grounds I have been to so far. This was surprising, considering the major difference in crowd capacity at these grounds. As I left, I noticed a sign, which read something like this:

"Please would all supporters kindly leave the stadium quickly and quietly, in order not to disturb our neighbours" 

I found this to be a nice touch, as Liverpool FC are obviously showing respect to the house owners, whose gardens back onto the ground. 

We were allowed 45 minutes before we had to head back to the coach after the game, this was mostly spent in the very impressive club shop. Their products were all well priced and the queues, though lengthy, were dealt with quickly and efficiently. After this, we noticed a commotion at the opposite end of the ground. As we walked nearer it was clear to see that the players were leaving through their exit. We went over and we got our programmes signed by Nick Barmby and took photos of the others as they left (nice cars!).

And so began the journey home, we arrived home at 4.15 in the morning and I had to do a mock exam at 10am, so I was very tired. Overall, I predict that this will be one of my better experiences on my travels, everything was great!

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