In the world of darts, fans are blessed in seeing some of the biggest and best characters in sport, week in week out. Without doubt, one of the biggest names and characters on the darting circuit is Liverpool’s own Robbie Green. ‘’Kong’’ as he is affectionately known in the world of darts, has been a Liverpool fan ever since he can remember. Currently, Robbie plays darts within the British Darts Organisation (BDO), after leaving the PDC in 2008, and is currently ranked number 2 in the World.
He reached his first major final in 2009, narrowly losing 7-6 to Martin Adams in the Winmau World Masters. Since joining the BDO, he has competed in two World Championships at the Lakeside, and recently won his first title of the 2011 season with victory in the Scottish Open and he also won the Northern Ireland Open back in 2010. His son Jamie is also a promising darts player who himself has already appeared live on TV at the 2010 UK Open. Robbie is currently entering his third year as an England International. Robbie resides on the Wirral with his Fiancée Ruth and newborn son Robert Jnr.
We caught up with Robbie to get all of his views on the club he loves most, and to get his feelings on the current goings-on at Anfield.
JD: Hi Robbie, we will start off with an easy one, what is your first memory of Liverpool FC?
RG: My first memory would be when Keegan left and King Kenny came in, my Dad loved Keegan and was disappointed he wanted to leave the way he did, but as ever as one player goes another comes in, and what a replacement, an absolute masterstroke…
JD: You have been a fan for as long as you can remember, what was the first game you attended, and what do you remember about the day?
RG: It would have been the 86-87 season, against Wimbledon at Anfield, we lost 1-0. Alan Cork scored for Wimbledon; I went onto the Kop for the 1st time and remember coming up the steps at the back from the turnstiles and looking across the ground for the 1st time…it took my breath away.
JD: Of all the great players down the years, who is the best in your opinion?
RG: Kenny Dalglish….the man is 1 step above God!
JD: What do you think about the current squad at Anfield?
RG: Needs improving, we all know that, and we have to be realistic it will take time. We need players playing in there own positions and I’d like to see us using out and out wingers again. We lack good balls into the box and its something that needs sorting out now especially as we have the presence of Andy Carroll up top.
JD: Who would you sign tomorrow if you held the purse strings at Anfield?
RG: Ashley Young and Stewart Downing. Both cracking players, loads of pace, great crossers and an eye for goal too. I bet Houllier wouldn’t be too happy though!
JD: What do you see Liverpool achieving over the next five years?
RG: I think it will take next season to get the team’s confidence back, and the team built how Kenny wants them, and then we should be challenging at the top. We need to be looking at winning the League not coming second, third or fourth, that’s not good enough for Liverpool. I truly believe in my heart a title isn’t too far away if Kenny stays and re builds.
JD: Probably one of the most difficult questions ever for a die-hard red Robbie, who would make it into Kong’s all-time Liverpool XI?
RG: Can’t I have just a Team of Carraghers?! Only joking……here goes……
GK – Pepe Reina
LB – Alan Kennedy
RB – Jamie Carragher
CB – Sami Hyypia
CB – Alan Hansen
LW – John Barnes
RW – Steven Gerrard
CM – Graeme Souness
CM – Ian Callaghan
ST – Kenny Dalglish
ST – Ian Rush
You need to let me have a subs bench as well, that was too hard! Subs would have to be Ray Clemence, Ron Yeats, Terry McDermott, Peter Beardsley and Robbie Fowler.
With Liverpool legend Alan Kennedy.
JD: What is the best thing about being a Liverpool Fan?
RG: Everything, from being proud of what we have won and the players we have produced to the respect that the fans get, we truly are the best supporters in the World.
JD: And what is the worst thing about being a Liverpool Fan?
RG: Nothing at all, that’s a question you should be asking Everton fans! I’m sure the worst thing about been an Everton fan would be watching us clean up and living in our shadows! Sorry, couldn’t resist that one!
JD: I had a feeling you would answer like that! In the World of Darts, who do you usually end up having the most football banter with, and more importantly, who wins the arguments?
RG: There are a fair few, the West brothers (Tony & Steve) are Spurs fanatics, Steve Douglas is an Evertonian, the Count (Ted Hankey) follows Stoke, but none of them ever win any arguments!! I support the best team in the World so they have no chance!!
JD: Have you ever taken on any Liverpool players in a leg of darts?
RG: None of the current squad, but I did play a pairs match against Alan Kennedy a couple of months ago at the opening of a bar in Chester, which was great fun. Alan is a top bloke, always game for a laugh, although I’m glad he was a better footballer than a darts player, it was one of the longest legs I have ever played!
JD: Now Robbie, the ultimate question for a Liverpool fan, if you were able to play one game for Liverpool, on which ground would it be, who against, and describe the key moment of the match ………
RG: No contest, at Anfield against Manchester United, Dalglish dinks a cross over from the wing, and I bring it down, turn Gary Neville inside and out before unleashing a left foot drive into the top corner to make it 4-0. I run over and celebrate in front of the Kop, who start singing ‘’We Want Five’’. Now that would be heaven!
JD: If you could change one thing in Football, what would it be and why?
RG: Diving is the one thing I cannot stand. When a player goes down to deliberately get a penalty or free kick, it drives me mad! They should be sent off straight away, none of this yellow card nonsense. Some players do it week after week, and its wrecking the game.
JD: And finally Robbie, what would be your words to your fellow Liverpool Supporters?
RG: Keep Believing. We will be back where we should be soon, and Justice for the 96, You’ll Never Walk Alone.
