Hello Empire of the Kop readers.
Yes, you read that headline correctly. I’m going to a Liverpool FC game this April and I am admittedly a little nervous.
Why, might you ask?
Well, I’m American.
It’s worrisome, to be very honest. It’s not like you’re going to see me and think twice about it. I’m an American. I like to wear a baseball hat with the logo of the University of Virginia on it (that does bring be to a funny story: I went to a Chelsea game when I was in London visiting my now ex-girlfriend when she was studying abroad and a man who went to the University of Virginia was sitting right behind me. He lived about a half-hour up the interstate from me. Small world, right?).
When I open my mouth, I’m undoubtedly American. I don’t have the thickest of Southern drawls, but if you had to guess, you’d probably place me I’m south of the Mason/Dixon line (the proverbial dividing line between North and South in the Civil War). I say “y’all.” I ask for Coke by name. When I think football, I think of being on a college campus in the fall with a tie on. These are all American, southern things.
Now, here is the question I pose, which might be the epitome of stupidity on my behalf: will being from the same country as Tom Hicks and George Gillett get me into trouble? Am I guilty by association because I’m from the same country Liverpool’s awful, American owners?
I certainly hope not, but I’ve seen things that have frightened me a little bit. I won’t mention all of them, but I saw an American flag being torched by fans wearing Liverpool jerseys.
To me, this is a reason to worry a little.
It’s not going to stop me. Come hell or high water, I’ll be at Anfield on April 23rd for the Birmingham game.
But I guess that this is just more of a question for all you readers. Am I right to be a little worried or will I be welcomed into the Kop end with open arms? Please tell me I’m foolish for even thinking that I would not be welcome at Anfield.