Response to Mayor Anderson
Spirit of Shankly are angered by comments made by Liverpool City Mayor, Joe Anderson.
The Mayor has chosen to speak out on a hypothetical matter, namechecking Liverpool FC supporters without discussion with those fans or fan groups.
There is no evidence to support the Mayor’s perception that Liverpool supporters will break any lockdown regulations and gather outside of Anfield should football be resumed and played behind closed doors.
LFC, in their statement on the matter, refer to their engagement with supporters’ groups.
SOS raised this issue with the club, back on 13 March, ten days before lockdown began. We agreed then a determination to respect social-distancing measures and, in the event of a resumption of football, we would continue to work together, along with other key stakeholders, in achieving this objective.
Rather than disparaging words about football fans, it would have been more beneficial for the City Mayor to acknowledge the work being done by those same people in easing pressures on the city’s old and vulnerable at this time. SOS alone up to now have delivered more than 1,000 food parcels, and are active partners in helping with the supply of PPE and @SFoodbanks
We ask the Mayor to retract his statement and work with fans to support all during this time of crisis.
Other news
SOS Members Join Camino Walk for Prostate Cancer Awareness
SOS Members Join Camino Walk for Prostate Cancer Awareness Last September, SOS Management Committee member Ian Byrne and former MC members Stephen Monaghan, Kieth Culvin and John Nicolson joined lifelong Liverpool supporter Brian Omar to walk 125km of the Camino de Santiago, raising money for prostate cancer support. Sadly, Brian passed away later in the year. This week Ian, Stephen, John and 25 others have returned to Spain to walk the final stage in Brian’s memory, again highlighting the importance of men looking after their health and wellbeing. Brian was part of Lads at Larks, [...]
Keep the Promise: Pass the Full Hillsborough Law
Keep the Promise: Pass the Full Hillsborough Law Spirit of Shankly stands with our Management Committee member and Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne in calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to honour his pledge and pass the full Hillsborough Law — not a watered-down version. Drafted by Hillsborough lawyers and backed by families and survivors, the Bill would: Place a legal duty of candour on public servants after state-related disasters. Provide independent legal funding for victims. Starmer promised in 2022, and again in Liverpool in 2024, that passing the Bill would be one of [...]
Concerns over Iain Dale event at Labour Party Conference, Liverpool
Concerns over Iain Dale event at Labour Party Conference, Liverpool THIS week, our chair Paul Khan has written to Keir Starmer and Merseyside MPs with concerns over an advertised event at the Labour Party Conference, which will held in Liverpool from Sunday 28 September to Wednesday 1 October. Dear Prime Minister, I write on behalf of Spirit of Shankly to express deep concern regarding the planned appearance and book signing by Iain Dale at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool next month. Iain Dale’s presence in this city, and at a Labour event, is completely [...]
