1965

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

In (or around) 1965, Shanks decided to change our shorts from white to red; he believed it made our players look bigger & more physical.

 

How did the supporters greet that change? Murph?

 

How would people feel if Rafa had a broadly similar idea & wanted to change the colour of a part of our kit?

 

Although, I do believe that Shanks probably had the fans eating out of his hands by the time he made his decision & they'd have been OK if he'd wanted to change the kit to blue.

 

Is the modern fan any different to the previous generation's fans?

[Guest Giz]

In (or around) 1965, Shanks decided to change our shorts from white to red; he believed it made our players look bigger & more physical.

 

How did the supporters greet that change? Murph?

 

How would people feel if Rafa had a broadly similar idea & wanted to change the colour of a part of our kit?

 

Although, I do believe that Shanks probably had the fans eating out of his hands by the time he made his decision & they'd have been OK if he'd wanted to change the kit to blue.

 

Is the modern fan any different to the previous generation's fans?

 

That game against Anderlecht was a pivotal moment. We were used to the red shirts, white shorts, but when they came out in all red it certainly stopped everybody in their tracks. The only team that seemed to play in all one colour was Real Madrid, although I think Leeds might have switched over to something similar then (Leeds used to play in Blue & Gold). It certainly set a trend though, as Chelsea then went to all blue in the semi final. The all red strip was initially used in cup competitions but then was brought in as the standard strip. It most certainly gave the players more presence, if not greater stature.

 

I cant think of any changes that Rafa or anyone else could introduce that would have the same effect. Shanks also broke the mold with changes of numbers for set positions. The old No.10 was associated with inside forwards and No.4 with halfbacks. He switched it with Gordon Milne and Smithy, and again, it caused people to consider all the things we had taken for granted for so long. Now, there is little that is set in tablets of stone so earth shattering changes are most unlikely.

 

You obviously were too young to know much about Shanks' make up to even consider that there would be anything blue about Liverpool during his reign - or thankfully afterwards.

 

I think that the main difference between the fans then and now, is that when the kop was at its height, there were more factories and the docks were in full swing with large manual labour forces and that all their mates could meet and stand together in set areas. The humour from that time was more spontaneous and the songs and chants were taken up more readily because of those large groups being in close proximity.

 

Memories from an old fart, but I hope it answers some of your questions.

[Guest evil_billy]

Memories from an old fart, but I hope it answers some of your questions.

 

 

Memories that we could all do with hearing. Tell us more!

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

That game against Anderlecht was a pivotal moment. We were used to the red shirts, white shorts, but when they came out in all red it certainly stopped everybody in their tracks. The only team that seemed to play in all one colour was Real Madrid, although I think Leeds might have switched over to something similar then (Leeds used to play in Blue & Gold). It certainly set a trend though, as Chelsea then went to all blue in the semi final. The all red strip was initially used in cup competitions but then was brought in as the standard strip. It most certainly gave the players more presence, if not greater stature.

 

I cant think of any changes that Rafa or anyone else could introduce that would have the same effect. Shanks also broke the mold with changes of numbers for set positions. The old No.10 was associated with inside forwards and No.4 with halfbacks. He switched it with Gordon Milne and Smithy, and again, it caused people to consider all the things we had taken for granted for so long. Now, there is little that is set in tablets of stone so earth shattering changes are most unlikely.

 

You obviously were too young to know much about Shanks' make up to even consider that there would be anything blue about Liverpool during his reign - or thankfully afterwards.

 

I think that the main difference between the fans then and now, is that when the kop was at its height, there were more factories and the docks were in full swing with large manual labour forces and that all their mates could meet and stand together in set areas. The humour from that time was more spontaneous and the songs and chants were taken up more readily because of those large groups being in close proximity.

 

Memories from an old fart, but I hope it answers some of your questions.

 

I have to say (respectfully) - that is the best answer/response to anything I've seen on this, or any, forum

[Martian]

When Ron Yates modeled the all red outfit he looked much bigger and intimidating. And Shanks was happy...

[dave]

 

It's bill...

[Guest AndyM17]

As a kid at school in Liverpool can remember my mum trying to dye my white shorts red.

 

Didn't really work but Shanks knew best.

[fyds]

Can't say that the change of shorts made much of an impact but I do remember somebody saying that it would hide the blood on Smthy's shorts.

 

But as a veteran of the old kop, the only thing I would say was fundementally different to today was there seemed to be more spontaneous humour in those days. Everybody was a comic and would try to start a chant - if the Kop thought it was funny, everybody would join in.

 

And there was far less obious criticism of the team - anyone heard booing would get a thick ear, probably from the night stick of a passing police sergeant (they used to patrol up and down the aisles between the terraces).

 

Oh, yes and there was always a strong smell of urine - don't know why....

 

Agree with that completely - we often played in red and white hooped socks until the all red kit came in too. As you say, back then if you'd dared shout 'Arrowsmith yer lazy ponce - why don't you just f**k off' as I heard someone shouting at Riise during our last home game, You'd have eaten lunch through a straw for the next few weeks.

 

The all red kit was heavily cheered on it's first appearance with the Collosus coming up out the tunnel, ball in hand and running off to the kop as per usual, that much I remember. As for 'blue' there was always a lively debate as to whether Liverpool fans should ever wear ANYTHING blue - including jeans!

Edited May 27, 2006 by fyds