Anfield is known across the world for its atmosphere from the crowds, to songs and the visual impact of the sea of red. While the corona virus is preventing fans from bringing the atmosphere, Spion Kop 1906 are still able to decorate the Kop with their stunning flags.
Spion Kop 1906 is made up of a small group of Liverpool fans and started they decorating the Kop in 2013, Max Stevens who is part of Spion Kop 1906 explained why:” As a group we decided we wanted to try and keep the traditions of The Kop alive, we already had a few flags between us and through our own money and money from donations it has grown over the years.”
The group welcomes any other football fans who wish to help set up the display and welcomes them to meet them at the Kemlyn/Kop corner under the scoreboard, 30 minutes before kick off! The importance of fans to the football world has been highlighted more than ever as players now have to play in empty stadiums. The noise, the passion, the celebrations and sometimes the heartbreak has now been stripped away from football making the game not what they used to be. Although it is great to have the football back the impact of fans has been highlighted, Max said “It still isn’t close to being the same as it is with full crowds every week, a lot of what football is lost without fans being able to be in the stadium. I hope that this period in empty stadiums reminds the Premier League and the clubs how important fans are to football, and the ‘spectacle’ that they sell around the world, and that more thought is paid to fans in the future around things like ticket prices and kick off times.” Fans make football the glorious game that is and clubs should work to help and support them in anyway they can.
Liverpool FC have been very helpful in supporting Spion Kop 1906 with the displays while football has had to be played behind closed doors, Max said: “I think credit has to be given to LFC for getting supporters involved, I know it was difficult logistically for them around having us in the ground and it would’ve been easy for them to go down the generic route that others have done, but I think the difference between Anfield and other grounds around the country where they clubs have just put generic corporate printed banners in is clear to see.”
And what a difference those flags have made, helping to make football feel like football again, Max explained: “It was great watching that first game back at Anfield, with the cameras panning over The Kop during YNWA and seeing all of the banners, and we got a lot of messages off of people saying how happy it made them that there was some feeling of normality.”
By keeping up the world-famous spirit of Anfield in some way is massive boost to the club, fans and players alike. Soon hopefully we will all be able to attend football matches again, but until then the Spion Kop 1906 flags remain flying strong.
This piece was written by Steph Colderick
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