You'll Never Walk Alone

The second time I travelled to London, England, was in 2006. I love London-- it's my favourite city in the world. I can't get enough of it, and I can guarantee aspects of it will make the "3-6-5" list. This trip, was special for a number of reasons, including the fact that I attended my first football match. [Yes, I'm from Canada, and yes, I just called "soccer" as we know it "football" and frankly, I'm not bothered that North Americans will be upset with me! :)]

The experience was unbelievable-- now THAT is a sporting event. It's hard to sufficiently put into words the feeling of being at the pitch. People are cheering like crazy, fans are singing. The colours one wears are really like fatigues, pledging allegiance to the home or visiting team. It's almost a religious experience.

Just a few short months after seeing the match, the World Cup was on. Even though I knew next to nothing about football, I wholeheartedly threw my support behind England, and I dedicatedly watched every England match (and "we" did quite well in 2006-- I do think we'll win in 2010 though!). For me, the star player was this guy named Steven Gerrard. He wasn't as flashy as Beckham or Cole, but he was just a stellar player. He was solid-- he could defend and he was properly fantastic as a central midfielder. I was so impressed with his WC performance, that I decided whoever he played for would be "my team". Hence, my allegiance to Liverpool FC started, and really, my first devotion to a sports team.

I've been following the team since and enjoying it immensely. I have the swag-- scarves, key chain, shirts, a football, even a tie. I am proud to wear my team's jersey on game day and proud to get into heated discussions with other footy fans about why MY team is better than their's. When playing FIFA Soccer on Wii, there's no question: I AM LIVERPOOL FC.

On a more recent trip to the UK, I had the privilege to visit Anfield, Liverpool FC's stadium. It was a fantastic experience. Just being at the pitch-- even though I didn't get to see a game-- was almost surreal.









Driving into Liverpool that day, I blasted, on repeat, on my iPod, "You'll Never Walk Alone", which is like a nathonal anthem almost for all Liverpool FC fans. If Anfield is the church of Liverpool FC, the song is its number one hymn.

It's about more than great football, however. Whenever I'm out in Canada and I see a Liverpool FC shirt on someone (or they see one on me), there's an immediate connection and I can almost guarantee a conversation (much to the chagrin of whoever I'm with).

That sense of community-- which really extends worldwide-- is a pretty amazing thing.