Spirit of Shankly ‘“ A movement in the right direction

By Max Munton On · 18 Comments · In Opinion

Over the last week I’ve had to make my mind up once and for all on Spirit of Shankly (SOS) – the Liverpool Supporters’ Union.

Until now, having been working away from Liverpool for the last ten months, SOS has almost passed me by. The issues the union faces and deals with haven’t, but the way they have been received and action taken by SOS has. Simply because I haven’t been around for a while.

Life’s taking me back to the city of Liverpool seven weeks from now on a permanent basis and with seemingly perfect timing the last week has brought SOS fully to my attention.

As many of you will know, a video was posted on the internet last week showing a controversial impromptu performance at the SOS end of season party last month.

This Is Anfield moved quickly to distance ourselves from the behaviour of the fans in the video. It was something that shouldn’t have happened and something SOS condemned outright in a statement of their web site.

Since the emergence of that video, SOS has come under a lot of criticism from the local press, web sites and Liverpool supporters in forums, including our own.

So it’s given me the opportunity (or rather forced me) to discover SOS for myself and reach my own conclusions which I’d like to share with you, whether you’re already a member of SOS, you’re unsure about them, or have never heard of them. My overall conclusion is:

Spirit of Shankly is the best thing to happen to Liverpool Football Club in many years.

I’m writing this article very simply to benefit supporters from L4 and beyond ‘“ all LFC communities, online and off. The purpose of this article is to convince Liverpool fans from all over the world of SOS’ potential, how important that will be to our club and fans, to appreciate the aims of a supporters’ union and the endless positive consequences it could achieve if we all have faith in it.

SOS are a voice for Liverpool fans to express their concerns to the club in an organised and effective way, with an elected committee of hard-working, dedicated Liverpool fans who strive to achieve the best intentions for the club. They aim up uphold the traditions of the football club, whilst simultaneously allowing and helping the required commercial drive forward to compete, and be a force, in world football.

350 outraged Liverpool supporters met in The Sandon pub by The Kop in January last year to discuss action about the “dreadful custodianship of Hicks and Gillett”. That night other club issues were discussed and out of the night, Sons of Shankly, later renamed Spirit of Shankly – a Liverpool supporters’ union was born.

Having been established for only just over a year, SOS’ hard work and determination driven by our love for the club has seen achievements made already. They’ve organise cheaper away travel for fans, held meetings and liaised with club officials over growing concerns including ticketing schemes and the new stadium, met with the club’s sponsors ‘“ and Rafa Benitez has kept his job and been given a new contract when even the bookmakers had written him off.

The long term goal is to ultimately have fan representation in the board room and eventually fan ownership of the club. That’s a long way off and financial difficulties could mean it forever stays only a pipe dream. But in the mean time, they’re trying to get the voice of the fans heard before it’s completely drowned out by extortionate ticket prices, greedy commercial schemes and Coca-Cola vending machines.

Daily Mirror columnist and lifelong Liverpool supporter Brian Reade explains it simply. We are not your typical consumer in your typical business.

‘œFootball fans are exploited. They’re not just products you can buy and sell. With football supporters, there’s this passionate thing that’s inside you. It’s a habit; an addiction that’s very hard to break because you’ve got these because you’ve got these loyal bonds which are totally illogical.’

Without a union, the club will never be told this and we will turn into the franchises our American owners are so accustomed to over the pond. Football has changed since the last time we won the league, but the supporters haven’t and won’t. We’re not here to be ripped off and the club and its owners need to understand that.

As a member or supporter of SOS, you don’t have to agree with everything. We’re not robots, we all have our own opinion and SOS can be used as a debate box within our own community to help us discover, realise and agree upon the outcome that will benefit the club and fans best of all. SOS is not a religion or cult and what it believes in is not black and white. Situations change, opinions change and can be changed and that’s what SOS is about ‘“ creating a democracy within the fans so we can reach out our voice of concern to the club.

Bill Shankly wouldn’t be proud of some of the songs sung in the boozers. He’d be ashamed. He was good friends with Sir Matt Busby. But focusing on a few fans who got carried away is the wrong thing to do. Anyone inside or outside the club can see that this is not a representation of Liverpool fans by any means.

Shankly would be proud of the socialism SOS strives to create. The union’s website quotes Shankly as once saying, ‘œI believe in everyone working for each other, everyone having a share of the rewards. It’s the way I see football, the way I see life.’ Working together to achieve the best for everyone involved is what Shankly would have wanted.

SOS is new to this game and makes no denial that it is still learning and will continue to do so. There’s a lot for us all (and Hicks and Gillett) to learn about the running of a football club, 21st century football economics and business. Mistakes do happen and things are said (or sung) that are best left unspoken.

SOS didn’t handle the situation over the posted video in the best way for a number of reasons but what’s done is done and there’s no need for fans to discuss this further. In everything that we do things happen that we would like to change and we need to realise mistakes, take them with regret, learn and get stronger because of it. Our club is important and worth the work. The positives (and potential positives) that can be taken from SOS massively outweigh any negatives.

We’re all in this together. Whether we’re from Liverpool or Liechtenstein, Merseyside or Malaysia, we all want what’s best for Liverpool Football Club. SOS aims to ‘œcreate long lasting relationships within all aspects of Liverpool FC’s supporting community’.

SOS could well be the piece of the jigsaw that we’ve been missing. It’s up to us to make it that last piece in the jigsaw. It’s the piece that finally puts the links and communication between all Liverpool fans and the men in charge to send OUR club in the right direction on the issues WE feel are important.

So this is my personal thank you to the people that have established SOS, put their own time and money into because of their overwhelming love for Liverpool FC and achieved all the things they have done for the fans and the future of the club.

By researching and writing this article, it’s allowed me to formulate my own opinion of SOS and I will pledge my support to it by becoming a member on my return to the city this summer. I hope I’ve made your mind up too and I hope I’ve proven why SOS is both important for us and ground-breaking for football.

These are exciting times for Spirit of Shankly and Liverpool FC ‘“ and we’re only just getting started!

  • About the author

    Max Munton

    Max is the co-editor of This Is Anfield. You can follow him on Twitter @maxmunton.

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  • geebo1

    The SOS video is not representative of Liverpool fans, but, it appears very representative of SOS fans and members.

    60 people are in view in the video. 6 lines deep and about 10 people in each line. That makes 60 people. There were probably 100 plus people if you include those out of camera shot. And if you judge by the level of singing.

    When the guy comes on stage he signs ‘žmunich, munich’œ into the microphone and encourages the crowd to reply. Then the lights are turned down except on him and he say ‘žyou ALL know the chorus, I want EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU to sing the chorus.’œ (Munich, Munich).

    There are at least 100 people going metal at the chorus and dancing and singing ‘žmunich’œ.

    There were at least 10 people going on and off the stage who did f*ck all. Add to this the fact it was 5.30 mins. Add to this the fact that another act who was an inpersonator also encouraged the crowd to sing ‘žmunich’œ and he was an official act. Add to this the fact that it happened at last years gig too.

    But for me the worst thing is the following:

    The SOS has only 1500 members. 100 or more guiltly people at their offical gig. That is almost 10% of there membership !!!!

    There are 25,000 fan in the kop. There membership is less than 5% of the kop. 500,000 fans in and around Liverpool city. 1500 is nothing but a very very small group. They have had a lot of publicity purely because of the Owners and people supporting them purely because they appear to stand up to the owners. But this video is damning. More than 10% of their members behave so? What if 10% of Anfield did? 10% of fans world wide? (10 mil world wide, so 10% is 1 million singing Munich).

    They are not big enough to be called the ‘žunion.’œ They dont deserve special status on this site especially when 9 out of 10 posters rejected them. When 80% rejected them in Brians poll, and 90% in Matts poll.

    Apart from that, they send posters here who, instead of trying to ‘žsell’œ the SOS and the benefits of membership, tell us we must all be computer freaks and wools and OTTers if we cant just brush it off as lager talk.
    Telling us we are guilty of NOT supporting them when THEY are the ones selling something. They will never attract a larger core of members because of their all holy attitude of ‘žwe are right and you are wrong.’œ They are out of touch with the normal common Liverpool fan. Not just on the net or around the world but, in Liverpool too.
    And as for ‘žwe are all fans from Liverpool or Liechtenstein..’œ well, not according to the SOS posters who came here and didnt care about the opinion of anyone who couldnt travel to the ground for personal talks.

    I wont brush this under the carpet and forget it. I wont say ‘žwell, lets move on’œ ‘žwe all make mistakes’œ. They have serious questions to answer which they havent.

    I will not be supporting this group until it shows it is responsible, and representative of all fans and doesnt allow sick behaviour of its members. Therefore I wont work for this site whilst it supports this group. It would be incompatible with my beleifs. I couldnt light another candle for the 96 when tacitly I would feel I was supporting people who degrade other distaster victims. The only way to get rid of this behaviour is from within. Fans SHOULD stick together, but, not to hide the truth, instead, to weedle out those who tarnish the truth.

  • geebo1

    The SOS video is not representative of Liverpool fans, but, it appears very representative of SOS fans and members.

    60 people are in view in the video. 6 lines deep and about 10 people in each line. That makes 60 people. There were probably 100 plus people if you include those out of camera shot. And if you judge by the level of singing.

    When the guy comes on stage he signs ‘žmunich, munich’œ into the microphone and encourages the crowd to reply. Then the lights are turned down except on him and he say ‘žyou ALL know the chorus, I want EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU to sing the chorus.’œ (Munich, Munich).

    There are at least 100 people going metal at the chorus and dancing and singing ‘žmunich’œ.

    There were at least 10 people going on and off the stage who did f*ck all. Add to this the fact it was 5.30 mins. Add to this the fact that another act who was an inpersonator also encouraged the crowd to sing ‘žmunich’œ and he was an official act. Add to this the fact that it happened at last years gig too.

    But for me the worst thing is the following:

    The SOS has only 1500 members. 100 or more guiltly people at their offical gig. That is almost 10% of there membership !!!!

    There are 25,000 fan in the kop. There membership is less than 5% of the kop. 500,000 fans in and around Liverpool city. 1500 is nothing but a very very small group. They have had a lot of publicity purely because of the Owners and people supporting them purely because they appear to stand up to the owners. But this video is damning. More than 10% of their members behave so? What if 10% of Anfield did? 10% of fans world wide? (10 mil world wide, so 10% is 1 million singing Munich).

    They are not big enough to be called the ‘žunion.’œ They dont deserve special status on this site especially when 9 out of 10 posters rejected them. When 80% rejected them in Brians poll, and 90% in Matts poll.

    Apart from that, they send posters here who, instead of trying to ‘žsell’œ the SOS and the benefits of membership, tell us we must all be computer freaks and wools and OTTers if we cant just brush it off as lager talk.
    Telling us we are guilty of NOT supporting them when THEY are the ones selling something. They will never attract a larger core of members because of their all holy attitude of ‘žwe are right and you are wrong.’œ They are out of touch with the normal common Liverpool fan. Not just on the net or around the world but, in Liverpool too.
    And as for ‘žwe are all fans from Liverpool or Liechtenstein..’œ well, not according to the SOS posters who came here and didnt care about the opinion of anyone who couldnt travel to the ground for personal talks.

    I wont brush this under the carpet and forget it. I wont say ‘žwell, lets move on’œ ‘žwe all make mistakes’œ. They have serious questions to answer which they havent.

    I will not be supporting this group until it shows it is responsible, and representative of all fans and doesnt allow sick behaviour of its members. Therefore I wont work for this site whilst it supports this group. It would be incompatible with my beleifs. I couldnt light another candle for the 96 when tacitly I would feel I was supporting people who degrade other distaster victims. The only way to get rid of this behaviour is from within. Fans SHOULD stick together, but, not to hide the truth, instead, to weedle out those who tarnish the truth.

  • Maulkin

    Overall, I agree with Geebo1, because before every single LFC fan can get behind SoS they need to act so they repair their mistakes.
    Only then we should consider getting behind SoS, as a LFC fan.

    “I will not be supporting this group until it shows it is responsible, and representative of all fans and doesn’t allow sick behaviour of its members. “

  • Maulkin

    Overall, I agree with Geebo1, because before every single LFC fan can get behind SoS they need to act so they repair their mistakes.
    Only then we should consider getting behind SoS, as a LFC fan.

    “I will not be supporting this group until it shows it is responsible, and representative of all fans and doesn’t allow sick behaviour of its members. “

  • http://www.ubermick.com ubermick

    I have to agree with Geebo, and voice my disappointment at TIA’s complete turnaround on this.

  • http://www.ubermick.com ubermick

    I have to agree with Geebo, and voice my disappointment at TIA’s complete turnaround on this.

  • http://www.thisisanfield.com Max Munton

    This article IS NOT about the video or the incident. That is a seperate issue. It’s about what a supporters union COULD do for our club.

    The title is ‘A movement in the right direction’ with an optimistic and positive perspective with our club in mind and whatever comes out of this whole thing – the idea that supporters have a bigger say in how the club is run IS a step in the right directions. SOS are breaking that ground.

    Whether it’s the right supporters doing it is a completely seperate debate and one I am not commenting on.

    Please appreciate that the video and consequences is a seperate issue that is between fans and SOS. This article, or This Is Anfield, is not a go-between.

  • http://www.thisisanfield.com Max Munton

    This article IS NOT about the video or the incident. That is a seperate issue. It’s about what a supporters union COULD do for our club.

    The title is ‘A movement in the right direction’ with an optimistic and positive perspective with our club in mind and whatever comes out of this whole thing – the idea that supporters have a bigger say in how the club is run IS a step in the right directions. SOS are breaking that ground.

    Whether it’s the right supporters doing it is a completely seperate debate and one I am not commenting on.

    Please appreciate that the video and consequences is a seperate issue that is between fans and SOS. This article, or This Is Anfield, is not a go-between.

  • merlboo

    geebos 2 glaring errors….firstly the 1500 members….how about 2600 at the last count…secondly and most importantly….their were a considerable amount of non members/local music enthusiasts/ evertonians in attendance so diluting the numbers somewhat and could of been involved in the chants….so until you get all the facts amigo….

  • merlboo

    geebos 2 glaring errors….firstly the 1500 members….how about 2600 at the last count…secondly and most importantly….their were a considerable amount of non members/local music enthusiasts/ evertonians in attendance so diluting the numbers somewhat and could of been involved in the chants….so until you get all the facts amigo….

  • Maulkin

    Max, this is because you’ve said:

    “This Is Anfield moved quickly to distance ourselves from the behavior of the fans in the video. It was something that shouldn’t have happened and something SOS condemned outright in a statement of their web site”

    So this is people’s right to complain about that part (I suppose).

    Moreover, I really think SoS has right aims, and wish them to succeed in their aspirations. But only when the video matter is resolved, otherwise their other works will mean nothing to me, because the root of these achievements will be rotten.

  • Maulkin

    Max, this is because you’ve said:

    “This Is Anfield moved quickly to distance ourselves from the behavior of the fans in the video. It was something that shouldn’t have happened and something SOS condemned outright in a statement of their web site”

    So this is people’s right to complain about that part (I suppose).

    Moreover, I really think SoS has right aims, and wish them to succeed in their aspirations. But only when the video matter is resolved, otherwise their other works will mean nothing to me, because the root of these achievements will be rotten.

  • http://www.thisisanfield.com Matt

    Re SOS members numbers; the organisation is very young, only just over a year old. Not many organisations have such growth without problems. Yet SOS have made huge links with the club and have good communication with officials at the club. 1 issue shouldn’t cloud what else has been done by SOS.

  • http://www.thisisanfield.com Matt

    Re SOS members numbers; the organisation is very young, only just over a year old. Not many organisations have such growth without problems. Yet SOS have made huge links with the club and have good communication with officials at the club. 1 issue shouldn’t cloud what else has been done by SOS.

  • lfcman83

    It all seems like a good idea in principle. There will always be the hypocrites who sing Munich songs but then claim to respect those who died at Hillsborogh; the truth is that they don’t respect either. A Football tragedy is a tragedy regardless of who it affects.
    My biggest worry is that this group will become ridiculously partisan. Part of the “I can tell by your accent that you’re not a scouser lad!” crew of Fans. As somebody who was born in Liverpool to a family of scousers, but grew up outside the city and duly lost my accent I’ve met with this attitude before. Further to this at a recent away game I saw to Asian lads from London scorned at for not “being fans”.

    Any aspect of Fan power is good, but lets remember that one thing that makes us great is the love and respect we have throughout the country and world. Lets not ruin a good thing and spoil the place we have in peoples hearts with aggresive partisanship. Lets give the Munich dead the respect they deserve and while we’re at it let’s remember that non-Liverpool accent is no barrier to being a red hot Liverpool fan.

    P.S Glenn Johnson will make a great addition to the squad. Bring on next season you Mancs…….

  • lfcman83

    It all seems like a good idea in principle. There will always be the hypocrites who sing Munich songs but then claim to respect those who died at Hillsborogh; the truth is that they don’t respect either. A Football tragedy is a tragedy regardless of who it affects.
    My biggest worry is that this group will become ridiculously partisan. Part of the “I can tell by your accent that you’re not a scouser lad!” crew of Fans. As somebody who was born in Liverpool to a family of scousers, but grew up outside the city and duly lost my accent I’ve met with this attitude before. Further to this at a recent away game I saw to Asian lads from London scorned at for not “being fans”.

    Any aspect of Fan power is good, but lets remember that one thing that makes us great is the love and respect we have throughout the country and world. Lets not ruin a good thing and spoil the place we have in peoples hearts with aggresive partisanship. Lets give the Munich dead the respect they deserve and while we’re at it let’s remember that non-Liverpool accent is no barrier to being a red hot Liverpool fan.

    P.S Glenn Johnson will make a great addition to the squad. Bring on next season you Mancs…….

  • welsh-scouser

    i used to support them,beacause they gave us a voice,they changed things in the club,but the acts hown in this video is bad,very bad,sos need to take responsibility about what happened,and take action to earn some respect back,im like ubermick suprised by tia’s u-turn on this.

  • welsh-scouser

    i used to support them,beacause they gave us a voice,they changed things in the club,but the acts hown in this video is bad,very bad,sos need to take responsibility about what happened,and take action to earn some respect back,im like ubermick suprised by tia’s u-turn on this.