BOOK : Our Liverpool by Chris Shaw

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LIVERPOOL FC fan, lecturer and former sports journalist Chris Shaw spent 12 months speaking to fellow Reds during a time of turmoil on and off the pitch. The result is a new book, Our Liverpool, which provides an insight into the support for a club with a proud tradition and record of success.

Our Liverpool is written from a fan’s perspective and includes interviews with the club’s followers on Merseyside, around the UK and worldwide from Sydney to Cape Town, Shanghai to Dubai. Journalists, bloggers, fanzine editors and supporters’ club secretaries talk about their hopes and fears for the club and explain just why Liverpool is one of the world’s most loved sporting institutions.

Shaw, 44, who was born and bred in Liverpool and went to his first match at Anfield in 1973, joined a group of Liverpudlians on an annual friendship trip to Mönchengladbach, met supporters in Boston, USA; heard the Spirit of Shankly Supporters’ Union make its case for greater fan representation at Anfield and spoke to the season ticket holder who gave it all up to follow non-League club AFC Liverpool.

Shaw said: “During the time I researched this book, Liverpool supporters lived through seismic events on and off the field. What struck me most was the fierce pride our fans have in their team, even when it is not fully deserved. Many fans are spending 20-30 hours or more a week following their team in various ways and the most loyal supporters spend up to £4,000 per season.”

Inspiration for the book came following the death of Shaw’s friend and fellow Liverpool fan Steve Rooney in 2009 and Our Liverpool is dedicated to his memory.

The book is now on sale on Amazon.com* and Shaw will be selling copies directly to fans for a discounted rate of £5.