Following yesterday's Champions League quarter-final draw, Spirit Of Shankly and Spion Kop 1906 are calling on both clubs to do the right thing by their fans. Given the escalated ticket prices for travelling supporters so far in this season’s competition, there is an opportunity here to send a strong statement on the value of supporters beyond money.
Last year, LFC announced a change to their supporter engagement. Alongside the appointment of Tony Barrett as Head of Club and Supporter Liaison, they established five fan forums to consult and engage on issues that affect us. Spirit of Shankly have representatives on each of these forums and, as always, we will continue to put forward the views of our members and fan interests.
‘You got your education from The Kop’. An old-school chant about growing up supporting Liverpool. But it seems increasingly that’s no longer the case.
Spirit of Shankly attended a meeting with LFC and EFC Club officials, a representative of the Blue Union and Merseyside Police on the 4th December to discuss the policing and stewarding for this weekend’s derby.
Liverpool’s fixture this weekend is a little special. The Reds host Huddersfield Town in a league game for the first time in 46 years (October 1971). Huddersfield was, of course, the club Bill Shankly left, in December 1959, for LFC.
Spirit of Shankly welcome today’s announcement that no football matches will take place on Christmas Eve. We would like to thank Sky, the Premier League, Liverpool FC and other clubs for listening to supporter concerns about scheduling fixtures on this day.
The Premier League’s Richard Scudamore confirmed on Tuesday 10 October there will be no 4pm kick-off on Christmas Eve. It’s a decision welcomed by Spirit of Shankly, other supporter trusts and fans, and a decision we believe was reached as a result of coordinated pressure from supporters groups.
Football supporters know all too well the impact that changes to the fixture schedule can have. Plans are rearranged and often expense incurred when a match is moved to accommodate cup football or TV scheduling. We have very little, if any, say, despite being the most put on stakeholders in the game.Â
Spirit Of Shankly have been made aware that Liverpool’s away fixture against Arsenal, scheduled for 23 December, is being considered for a move to Christmas Eve.
Early in the summer, Spirit of Shankly linked up with Supporters Trusts of other English football clubs competing in Europe this season. We each wrote to our respective club asking them to work with UEFA and the FCO to assist supporters travelling to countries that require a visa for entry. We hoped a collective voice would have a bigger impact.
