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 are appealing to fans travelling to Newcastle on Sunday to lend their support to the area's local foodbank.
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.
Spirit of Shankly are proud to support NO MORE Suicide – a strategy for Cheshire and Merseyside to raise awareness of World Suicide Prevention Day.
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.
A couple of months ago Liverpool FC announced plans to set up a number of fan forums to enhance supporter engagement. There are to be five forums each made up of eight to 12 supporters. Spirit of Shankly will also have a seat on each forum, which will be taken up by current committee members.Â
Following Spirit of Shankly’s consultations and discussions on rail seating, members and supporters have been voting for the past week. They were asked whether they are in favour, against or undecided on the introduction of rail-seating areas in football grounds.
