football, dreams & disasters

What should have been a day of pure elation and happiness turned into a sad and devastating event. For us Liverpool Football Club supporters, we knew Monday 26th May would have been chaotic and manic, but full of happiness and pride that our team had won the Premier League for the 20th time. Our last win was during the Covid lockdown of 2020 and we weren’t able to celebrate altogether as a football family so we knew this one was going to be big.

Monday’s parade was expected to have a huge turnout and it has now been confirmed that there were over a million people who attended - myself luckily included. Many more were unable to even enter the city as train systems broke down. Sadly though, the day ended with many injuries and trauma.

My journey began on Sunday the 25th at Anfield where those of us who couldn’t get tickets for the last match of the season and the presentation ceremony gathered outside the stadium to celebrate. Not even a carnival could match the atmosphere! I’ve never attended a football match before and this was the closest I could get. The atmosphere was electric and I’m convinced we caused more of a raucous than those in the stadium. Many climbed on surrounding buildings, there was chanting, dancing, and my favourite part was people taking turns to kick the ball over and into the stadium. The best way I can describe the atmosphere is when you were in primary, or secondary, school and played with your friends, even with that group you never hung out with, and you were all having fun in unison. Nothing else mattered but having free fun.

LFC has been part of my life since birth, my father being my greatest influencer and educator. All I’ve ever known is that golden sky and sea of red and this trip to the parade was a dream coming into reality. Being outside the stadium did make me emotional and I felt little Rhéa jumping around with happiness with a “you see, I did it!” attitude. This was a great start to the celebrations.

We stayed in Manchester for the night and I have to admit I was surprised by how many supporters were staying there too. Surprised not only because of the long-standing rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool, but it’s just one of those places you wouldn’t dare walk around in your Liverpool shirt. As a Londoner, seeing people walk around in different club shirts is normal but from the Midlands towards the North of England it’s a whole different ball game: your team identifies your city. How trivial my thoughts were because I saw so many Liverpool supporters walking around town. That evening was my first inkling of how many people would visit the parade the next day and it started to look like the whole country was turning Liverpool Red.

"Where was the bus?! I couldn’t even get online to find an update on how far the bus was...but how could I miss finally getting to see the players and experiencing the electricity in the air, especially when they arrived?"

On the day of the parade we were initially planning to join the bus at the start of the route, however we decided at the last minute to join the end, near the Liverbird building on The Strand (looking back at it now, it’s weird to think what we would have avoided.)

I cannot emphasise how busy the city was! At one point we were genuinely being crushed like sardines and floating along to get to where we needed to. I did panic at one point and could feel myself getting claustrophobic, but I had one focus and that was to see the bus drive past and if this was the only way I could do it without turning back then it would all be worth it in the end. But you could just read the crowd, no negativity in sight, and that they were in the same boat as you; there was an understanding between us all to make sure families and groups stayed together. It’s fair to say I held onto my husband’s hand for dear life.

To top it all off, no one had any signal on their phones because the city was so overcrowded. This did make me panic a bit but I knew I wasn’t there alone, thankfully. However, when it reached 4:30pm, when we all thought the bus would be arriving at the finish point, I was starting to lose my patience after being stuck in the freezing cold, whilst it was teeming with rain, with red flares making me cough, not going to the loo all day and not eating. Where was the bus?! I couldn’t even get online to find an update on how far the bus was. In any other circumstance, in all honesty, I would have left but how could I miss finally getting to see the players and experiencing the electricity in the air, especially when they arrived?

When they did arrive, oh boy, was it electric, sorry, no, it was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, it was magical, alive, just absolute freedom. Euphoria. We couldn’t see a damn thing mind you, thanks to the red smoke but who cared? No one. The fact that we turned up, cheered them on and soaked in the atmosphere was far more worth it for the memories than stressing over not seeing a face. The players deserved that atmosphere too.

As soon as they passed, obviously everyone started moving, whether to follow the bus or depart. This was when everything changed. I personally agree with reports that express confusion and anger as to how a car even got through the closed-off streets and why they weren’t close even further out. This was my first thought at the time when I saw that grey car ahead. As many of you will now know, over 80 people have been injured due to a car which ploughed through the crowds. I don’t want to go into any details because in all honesty, as the days have gone on, I’m starting to realise how lucky we were and I’ve not quite processed that yet.

"Overall, prior to the weekend I was very excited to express and post my memories and experiences here but there is still an ounce of sadness."

Either way, after seeing the car speed off behind us my gut told me “let’s get the hell out of here” and low and behold, the sirens began, as well as the influx of police and ambulances. It became the talk of the walk home and you could hear everyone around you discussing the turn of events. Whatever the reasons and whatever the outcome of the investigation, for all those involved, no matter the experience, we will rise above it. Liverpool’s fans have etched their presence and unitedness in history and there have been many tragic events in the past - Hillsborough being the most notable. Whatever happens, the city and the fans unite and that is a comforting thought during these next couple weeks.

Overall, prior to the weekend I was very excited to express and post my memories and experiences here but there is still an ounce of sadness. But, the positives have to be said: the atmosphere at our last match, the vibe around the city - including Manchester, keeping the love going for the next generation, the number of families who were/are committed to continuing the love for the team, from babies to teenagers, people who don’t even support the team getting involved! It was honestly a magical thing to be part of and to the victims and fans, You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Rhéa x