Anfield - Liverpool FC
Tuesday 28th December 2004
Vs Southampton, Premier League, 3pm
By Colin Brown

1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be)

Well, You always hear stories of how the older grounds generate the best atmospheres. And Anfield is meant to be one of the best. I was going to see if this was the case. Also visiting a club with as big a reputation as Liverpool was always a draw.

2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking

The Journey took a good 6 hours. The M6 from Birmingham upwards was a nightmare (especially around Telford and Stoke.) In the end we took a creative route across Northwich/Runcorn/Widnes to make sure we got to Anfield on time. In the end we arrived an hour and a half before kick off. Finding the ground is easy. Both Anfield and Goodison are well signposted just so long you follow the signposts as you come into Liverpool. Beware of the speed limits though, the speed cameras are live. I had heard Parking in Goodison park was a good option, and indeed it was. Full security, easy to get to and friendly stewards. It was certainly worth the 6 notes for the peace of mind. And its only a short 5-10 minute walk across Stanley Park to Anfield. Dead easy.

3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?

As we where right at Goodison, we checked out the 'Stanley Park' pub by the Everton Megastore which is easily visible from the Goodison car park. It was quiet, and those fans that where in there where extremely friendly and welcoming. You got the impression that they where genuinely pleased to have you there. The Stanley Park pub I would recommend too thanks to the friendly staff atmosphere and partisan décor. (I have never seen so much blue outside of Portsmouth! I suppose that's what you get when you go to the Everton home pub.)

4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground.

Upon seeing the ground it really doesn't fill you with awe. But have a look round, take in the situation and shape of the place and you can see it is something rather special. It oozes history. The Shankly statue outside of the rebuild Kop and the Iron gates are beautiful features. The Centenary stand is on a par with anything I have yet seen and the unique shape of the kop is something to behold. On entry it struck me how small the Anfield Road away end concourse is. The view from our seats was more the adequate though, but I had heard a few people complaining that towards the back of our area you couldn't see much past the bottom of the next tier up.

 

5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc.

The game itself showed a better Southampton performance then we had been used to. But we still lost. Liverpool eventually wearing us down with a tenacious and professional display, they should have got more then one solitary goal. Atmosphere was disappointing. The legendary Kop end was rather quiet and the only singing took place when the home side where on the attack, and even then it seemed rather muted. (I've heard more noise at Oxford United! No - Really!) 1,000 Saints fans out sung 40 odd thousand Liverpool fans, I'm not saying that to brag, everyone I know who watched the game on Sky said they could only hear us! Overall the feel of the place was rather comparable with, dare I say it, Manchester United. The stewards where excellent. Helpful and friendly. My travelling companion nearly came-a-cropper though on the way in. On searching his bag (as they do with everyone, good security) they discovered a can of Cider, he'd forgotten it was in there. He apologised profusely and they all saw the lighter side of the incident, although if this had been a derby game I doubt they would have been so lenient. The facilities where adequate but the food couldn't be sampled. If you actually wanted to see the whole game then the queuing to get a pie would have put pay to that.

6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

From Goodison it was easy, once you are outside of the main hub of traffic (15 minutes worth) the dual carriageways clear and driving is easy. Easier then getting away from St Mary's that's for sure.

7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

An excellent day out. Just give yourself plenty of time to get there and you'll be fine. Oh, but do avoid decorating your car with club memorabilia. On the way into Liverpool the local youth do not seem to appreciate your enthusiasm. That was the only hint of hostility felt anywhere. Very impressive.

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