Hillsborough, 15th April 1989 - 20 years on.

I was only 12 years-old, when the live 1989 FA Cup match on RTM was unexpectedly cut short. I had no idea what was going on but managed to catch a glimpse of the crowds struggling and spilling out of the stand on to the pitch at Hillsborough.

20 years later and after reading numerous heroic, sad and tragic stories of the victims and survivors, I still can't understand why it had to happen. It's just plain senseless and tragic to go home in a body bag when a football fan should be happily enjoying the footballing occasion and go home with his fellow mates and fans to celebrate the beautiful game with a pint or two.

I kid you not, when i say that i could have easily been among those who had perished, had i live and grown up in Liverpool and attended the match. My passion for Liverpool is unquestionable and i would have paid an arm and a leg, just to watch my beloved club play - anytime and anywhere.

Every year, come April 15th, i'll pay my own little tribute to the 96. This year is no different. I'll be having my own moment of silence to reflect on the tragic event and pray that justice will be serve to them and their love ones. To me, they are more then just a fellow Red, but an extended family. It's painful to acknowledge that they are someone's father, mother, grandad, brother, sister, nephew, cousin and dear friend. Their senseless lost has left a lasting impression on the very fabric of the club, the fans and the city of Liverpool.

Supporting LFC will never be the same for again all of us. We have left little pieces of ourselves literally on the Hilsborough Memorial and the bond between club and fans will never be broken. 96 of our fellow Reds paid for this special bond with their lives - a debt that none of us or the club will ever be able pay back. We must NEVER EVER forget this. Hence, we must also not give up the struggle to give the dignity and justice back to the victims, their families and fans who have been wrongfully and blatantly blame for this tragic tragedy. Let's all pray and hope that this senseless tragedy will never be repeated again at any football stadium.

Head over to the LFC's official website tribute to put faces to the names of the victims - Hillsborough Remembered - 20 years on

Never Forgive, Never Forget. You'll Never Walk Alone & Justice For The 96.

A Sombre & Mourning Kopite,
JonC

On Top Of The World?

LFC is on top with a 3 points cushion and won against 2 of the top 4 teams. Things are certainly looking rosy right? Well, not exactly. I'd personally say it's still way too early to be thinking about being crowed as the champion. The EPL is notoriously famous for its punishing schedules in the X'mas holiday period when all other leagues in Europe are on their winter break. Imagine at mid season, you have 2 games to play in 3 days and in the cold / snow. This will definitely seperate the men from the boys.

I'd say we're in the perfect position (not certain) to push for no.19 this season as there are ample of signs that we have the full package to finally nail it down - ugly wins, lucky wins, come backs and a seemingly good team spirit & belief. There's also a difference to the way the gaffer is approaching the games this season - he is taking more risk by putting in more offensive subs. Results of this shift in mindset - to win rather than sit back for a draw, are there to see as we're are actually winning matches that we will definitely draw in the past few seasons under him. There is also a lot less rotation this season and it only happens to protect injured or jaded players.

After nearly 5 seasons, has he finally got the team right? Has the constant tinkering stopped? Well, i've got no answer to these questions as only the gaffer himself can answer them. What is clear is, we've finally got the kind of squad depth that he's been talking of since a couple of seasons ago. We definitely have a more settled side with players that look a lot more cohesive and have better understanding of their roles in the team. I'm happy to see we're not the bunch of headless chickens running around anymore like last season when we were constantly shooting ourselves in the foot with the crap footie we were playing.

How far can we go this time round? I wouldn't want to know and predict at this time. The road to no. 19 does look a lot less bumpy but knowing how fast things can go awry with trouble just round the corners, i'll be happy as long as we keep winning matches and see where it will take us. I am not looking to much into the league table and will only look at thing one game at a time. Seen my fair share of disappointments over the years to know its suicidal to over hype our good form and be over confident.

It's still too early with just 9 games played out of 38. Till then, i'll just sit back, enjoy the football and hope i don't pull out all my hair with the dramatic last minute wins by end of the season. Hopefully by then, no.19 is safely back in Anfield and locked up in the trophy room.

Health Ministry Warning: Supporting Liverpool Football Club Is Detrimental To You Health!

For all the excitement from the last minute come back wins that LFC have been pulling out of the rabbit's hat, they certainly aren't good for the faint-hearted supporters. I personally think, i'll bloody stop watching footie by the time i hit 50. I lost count how many times i've nearly pulled all my hair out in frustration of the crap we're dishing out only to be led into a period of gut wrenching and cardio working last few minutes of football.

We're on a roll for come back wins and have duly been tagged as the "Come Back Kings" but i'm convinced that the roll won't go on longer. Lady luck is a fickle minded and hard to understand phenomenon, soon she'll leave us in the lurch if we keep on coming back from the brink of death. We need to be wining games from the start and not do it 1o mins + injury time from the end.

I bet the cardiologist and heart specialist in Liverpool and all over the world for that matter, will have an increasing number of visits from Mighty Reds fans with cardio problems. Well, who can blame 'em? If we keep this up, please don't be surprised i'll soon join the queue.

Anyhow, Walk On and let's hope our school boy defending will stop the PES2009 / Fifa09 like free-scoring Chelsea attack, this coming Sunday nite - 9:30pm! Btw, pls take note that the MyRAWK boy will be organising a special event gathering inconjunction with this top-of-the-table clash. Check out My-RAWK.com for more details on the freebies and prizes that will be given away. See ya there!

-JonC-

Robbie Keane - Welcome Home!

Got the news through me phone last night at Desa Hartamas that Irish marksman, Robbie Keane has signed for us. The transfer fees is reportedly around £19million (possibly rising to £20.3 million through bonus payments). This is absolute great news as i rate him a heck lot higher than the other big target of the gaffer: Gareth Barry. Can't believe it when it was reported he rejected us for Wolves 14 years earlier. Well, now all the stars have aligned and he's back to his true spiritual football home: Anfield.

It's been know we have turned into a 2 man team - Gerrard and Torres and the rest of the team ain't exactly supplying the fire power to kill teams off. Remember how frustrating it was to be unable to win games and kill off the opposition last season in games we should have won? Keane i seriously think will be the perfect partner for Torres as he operates deeper as the 2nd striker and thus will create more space and opportunity for "el nino" to work higher up the pitch. My mouth is watering at the prospect of seeing the both of them at work.

Then that leads us to the question of where will Gerrard operate from. The easy answer would have been to stick him back in the middle since it's his favoured position. But, when / if you put Barry in the equation then that changes the whole complexion of the formation. Gerrard to the right? Barry as a left winger and Gerrard center? I seriously have my doubts on how much do we need Barry in our team. I'd have to admit here, i am a big Alonso fan, even though he's not been the same after his block-busting debut season. In my books, he is still the best passer . Anyhow, i'd rather seem him stay (and the board seems to think so too) but the meeting that supposedly took place with the gaffer didn't exactly turned out well and he is now linked to Fenarbache, and with an even lower price of about £12million (Juve reportedly offered more).

Now, this gets even more interesting. What happens to Kuyt if Gerrard is stuck to the right? What happens to Babel if / when Barry is stuck to the left? And now, with French teenage striker David N'Gog has just signed as well. Chances are Babel will definitely stay as he has got bags of potential. Kuyt for all his hardworking could be sacrificed, again something i won't enjoy witnessing. Already some reports are stating that he might well be the one to go.

Is it just me or are we getting a bit too aggressive with our pursuit of transfer targets through the press? We've already have to apologize to Spurs with the manner of how we went ahead with the pursuit of Keane. Rafa's comment certainly did not sit well with their chairman. No matter what, the fact is it will never be easy to loose one of your most popular player and captain to a rival. At least he ain't going over to the Gunners.

The off season is getting crazier indeed with the season starting in about 3 weeks. Till then, keep checking news reports. Who knows our very own nutty professor / gaffer might spring a few more surprises and rabbits out of his Spanish "El Matador" hat?

PS: Am definitely looking forward to the Keane trademark cart-wheel machine gun goal celebration at the Kop end. ;0)

-JonC-

Coming EPL 08/09 Season - My Thoughts

In about a month 3 weeks, the new EPL season will start. The silly summer transfer merry-go-round has made us Reds glow red, not because of the excitement or booze but because of the money constraints imposed by our current dire financial situation and the 2 imbecile on top. That being said, most of the major English clubs have yet to really make any bank-busting transfer as of today. Looks like the after-effects of the global economic slow down thanks to the weakening US Dollar have hit the rest pretty hard too; except a certain club bank-rolled by a certain Russian :0P

Then again the slow-down didn't help lower down the transfer fee for the English players: case in point - Gareth Barry. I still can't fathom how on earth Xabi Alonso will cost less than him. The only selling point to him is he's English and the "6+5" Fifa ruling is not making the situation any better. I believe one of the only reason the gaffer is thinking of going English this off-season is because of that stupid ruling.

I am all for the clearing of dead-woods in the team but the mere thought of us actually having to sell before we can buy is really disheartening. But looking at the current crop of youngsters that we already signed, i still have high hopes of us doing well in the league. We're definitely following the Arsene Wenger route by investing heavily in youth players. Then again, buying potential is a double-edged sword: some will excel and some will fail due to high expectations. I'm personally keeping a close eye on a few of the youngsters - Pacheco, Insua, Lindfield, Nemeth, Plesis, and Spearing. There a few other members from the reserve team thats potentially world-class if they're nurtured properly.

On the club management front, looks like we're set to suffer again under the 2 imbecile thats making us turn into the mockery and joke of the league. All have gone quiet on the DIC takeover, but i am not surprise the sheik is planning his cunning move to wrestle the control of the club. I personally am really disappointed by the short-sightedness of Parry and sadly Moores who sold the club for a few quid more instead of selling to DIC, a much more stable and state funded company.

Most of you guys that know me personally, knew i've joined the "i doubt Rafa" brigade since mid 2 seasons ago. As, i've grown up watching the all conquering team from the 80's era, i'm a true believer in the "pass and move" football philosophy perfected by the great Bill Shankly. I miss those all or nothing attacking football from back then. I do understand the modern game have change significantly, but i did not sign up for drab and boring "effective football." This is well and truly Rafa's make or break season.

Back in the home front, i'm truly feeling the pinch from the fuel price hike. So much so that, i'm really gonna limit my outings to join the MyRAWK gatherings. I've calculated that on average before paying up for the booze, i would need to spend 20 bucks on the traveling expanses alone from my place in Klang. It's gonna be expansive for me to join every gathering so chances are i'll be joining the boys most probably once a month or on big matches only. It ain't gonna be fun shouting and swearing alone at home. :0(

-JonC-

In Memoriam: 15th April 1989, Hillborough - Never Forgive, Never Forget

To my fellow 96 brothers and sisters in red who never returned from that faithful match. R.I.P

You'll Never Walk Alone & Justice For The 96:

John Alfred Anderson (62)
Thomas Howard (39)
Colin Mark Ashcroft (19)
Thomas Anthony Howard (14)
James Gary Aspinall (18)
Eric George Hughes (42)
Kester Roger Marcus Ball (16)
Alan Johnston (29)
Gerard Bernard Patrick Baron (67)
Christine Anne Jones (27)
Simon Bell (17)
Gary Philip Jones (18)
Barry Sidney Bennett (26)
Richard Jones (25)
David John Benson (22)
Nicholas Peter Joynes (27)
David William Birtle (22)
Anthony Peter Kelly (29)
Tony Bland (22)
Michael David Kelly (38)
Paul David Brady (21)
Carl David Lewis (18)
Andrew Mark Brookes (26)
David William Mather (19)
Carl Brown (18)
Brian Christopher Mathews (38)
David Steven Brown (25)
Francis Joseph McAllister (27)
Henry Thomas Burke (47)
John McBrien (18)
Peter Andrew Burkett (24)
Marion Hazel McCabe (21)
Paul William Carlile (19)
Joseph Daniel McCarthy (21)
Raymond Thomas Chapman (50)
Peter McDonnell (21)
Gary Christopher Church (19)
Alan McGlone (28)
Joseph Clark (29)
Keith McGrath (17)
Paul Clark (18)
Paul Brian Murray (14)
Gary Collins (22)
Lee Nicol (14)
Stephen Paul Copoc (20)
Stephen Francis O'Neill (17)
Tracey Elizabeth Cox (23)
Jonathon Owens (18)
James Philip Delaney (19)
William Roy Pemberton (23)
Christopher Barry Devonside (18)
Carl William Rimmer (21)
Christopher Edwards (29)
David George Rimmer (38)
Vincent Michael Fitzsimmons (34)
Graham John Roberts (24)
Thomas Steven Fox (21)
Steven Joseph Robinson (17)
Jon-Paul Gilhooley (10)
Henry Charles Rogers (17)
Barry Glover (27)
Colin Andrew Hugh William Sefton (23)
Ian Thomas Glover (20)
Inger Shah (38)
Derrick George Godwin (24)
Paula Ann Smith (26)
Roy Harry Hamilton (34)
Adam Edward Spearritt (14)
Philip Hammond (14)
Philip John Steele (15)
Eric Hankin (33)
David Leonard Thomas (23)
Gary Harrison (27)
Patrik John Thompson (35)
Stephen Francis Harrison (31)
Peter Reuben Thompson (30)
Peter Andrew Harrison (15)
Stuart Paul William Thompson (17)
David Hawley (39)
Peter Francis Tootle (21)
James Robert Hennessy (29)
Christopher James Traynor (26)
Paul Anthony Hewitson (26)
Martin Kevin Traynor (16)
Carl Darren Hewitt (17)
Kevin Tyrrell (15)
Nicholas Michael Hewitt (16)
Colin Wafer (19)
Sarah Louise Hicks (19)
Ian David Whelan (19)
Victoria Jane Hicks (15)
Martin Kenneth Wild (29)
Gordon Rodney Horn (20)
Kevin Daniel Williams (15)
Arthur Horrocks (41)
Graham John Wright (17)

My New Toy!

Got me brand new toy, a Dell Latitude D630 from me company! Oh happy days ahead until i get tired of it along with my new Sony Bravia 32D300A LCD TV and me spanking new Sony PS3. Well, what a way to blow my bonus, so much to the save for rainy days advice from me parents. Then again thank god for a thing called 0% interest installments.

Sleepless nights ahead trying to play some footie and shoot'em up games. As if the sleepless nights from my office system migration work is not enough. Geeeez! Til then time to get back to work again. Muahahahahahaha!

Oh! before i forget, managed to catch the gut wrenching, heart stopping 2nd leg quater finals at Anfield this morning. Hope i didn't wake any of me neighbours up with my shouting, hehehehehe. Bring on them true blues and devils!

-JonC-

Stay of execution for the Gaffer?

With the English League season effectively ended by Barnsley, it's no surprise the verdict on the pedigree of Rafa the Gaffer (in the English game) is looking grimmer by the day. Now with just one egg left in our basket, it's been widely reported that the only way he'll save his managerial career at Melwood and Anfield is by winning the Champions League.

I for one am not convinced that the Gaffer has the X-factor to bring our "holy grail" home. His tactical knowledge of the game is second to none, but his man management skill is a big suspect - the boys are as confused as the opponent on our play. That's where we miss Pako TREMENDOUSLY - the human touch.

The great result from this morning's game vs Inter will buy him some time before the vultures starts circling around him again. But, long term wise, I just can't see how he can bring the team forward anymore in the EPL. We're improving, but the bigger problem is, the rest are improving at a far faster rate then us and leaving us wanting.

It's disheartening to be fighting for the 4th spot with the likes of Everton, Villa, Man City and Portsmouth. We and every other football fans know that with the kind of players we have, we are MORE than capable of mounting a serious and consistent challenge for the crown. Still baffles me how some of the best talents in the game can turn out to be so average looking in our team. The only consistent thing about our season for far is our inconsistency.

In order to avoid more disillusionment and disappointment, I've decided to watch matches with no expectation what so ever. This hopefully will save me from more heartaches from watching the drab footie we're dishing out. The only thing I ask for now is for us to play some decent pass and move football that we're so famous for.

We as the fans of the club should realised that nothing is bigger than the club itself - NOT Rafa, NOT Gerrard and NOT anyone. I can't help but think that some of us are still hiding in our comfort zone - still the best team in UK, 18 titles and 5 European Cups. We're so into our own "we're still the best" mentality, we're seriously not moving forward and still slumbering and dreaming. The faster we wake up to the reality of modern football and adapt, the faster we can shake the slumbering giant tag.

Off-field shenanigans has not help our course - it made everyone jumpy. The tension made the Gaffer lost a few marbles and definitely cost us a lot of points. The boys unfortunately got caught in the crossfire. In an ideal world, as well paid pros, they, in theory should not be effected too much. In reality, the after effects are there for everyone to see. With rumours of the Yanks selling out to DIC, and Rafa's head is on the chopping block again, the mood at the camp will be of an uncertainty.

It's in time of adversities like this, that everyone should look into themselves and rise up to the challenge. No point dwelling on all the problems and wallow in despair. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. I'm seriously hoping the Gaffer and team is doing this.

As for me it's not just a question of should the Gaffer go or should we stay anymore. It's about the reputation of LFC thats at stake. When push come to shove, the club will need to seek a new direction irregardless of the cost and the emotional pain that we'll have to pay. Short term pain for a better long term prospect and stability is a no-brainer.

I'll be sad if and when the Rafa the Gaffer go, but will be thankful for the 05 Champ League and the 06 FA Cup that he won for us. If he stays, I sincerely hope he'll adapt to the changes in the English game better for the sake of the team. Don't just do it for the sake of rotation and different opponents, do it to make the opponents play to our tune. Till then, I'll hold on to my realist views on his current regime until i see real signs of progress and not more excuses from everyone.

-JonC-

*This entry is posted up concurrently at the blog of MyRAWK

Thank You - Uncle Bob Paisley

12 yrs ago to the day, LFC lost it's most illustrious and successful manager - Bob Paisley. He was the man responsible for 3 of the 5 stars found on LFC's crest. To LFC fans', he's right there next to Bill Shankly as the greatest ever manager to grace the English League - period.

RIP - Uncle Bob.

Warning: The perils of supporting LFC!

Been a frustrating couple of weeks for a hardcore supporter of LFC like me. Sometimes I do think its much better to watch the paint dry than to witness the kind of gutless, boring, and inept performance from the team. The turmoil surrounding the club and the new owners on the financial situation, along the uncertainty over the gaffer and his sometimes bizarre tactics is not helping ease the minds of everyone connected to the club at all.

I've not felt so much anxiety and an anxiousness surrounding the club through my 20+ years of supporting The Reds; there's just too much happening at the same time to take it all in. Everything that can go wrong seems to be going wrong.

All this have split the support into basically 2 factions - the pessimist / doubters and the Rafa royalists. I've always considered myself a realist who sits on the fence. But lately, my stances have steadily shifted towards the pessimistic dark side. I've seen enough of mediocre performances from us. The football from the past couple of years has been mainly disappointing and BORING. The much loved Liverpool FC style of playing pass and move football has since long died and buried.

With the current state of play from us, I'd pray something gets done to ensure we'll play the way we're meant and suppose to do - dictating play, attack, pass and move. I'll be happy just to see us play proper football, not the shit I've been forced to witness. If there's a need to change the gaffer or root out the dead-woods, please do it!

As much as I love and respect Rafa for the cups that he has won us in the past 4 years, its the "holy-grail" that all LFC supporters want. It's been 18 years and counting since we won the league title, and it doesn't look like it'll end soon. The promise of challenging for the title has fizzled out and from the looks of things, we'll have a fight in our hand to hold on the the 4th spot and qualify for the Champs League next season. Being 12 points behind even with a game in hand, doesn't look much like mounting a serious challenge to me. It's as if we've hit a plateau in our development as a proper footballing team and maybe to improve further, we might need a change at the helm.

Looks like the yearly process of cutting out dead-wood from the team has to continue again. I cannot understand why we seem to attract a heck lot of sub-standard players. The most puzzling part is how come good players can also turn ordinary at the blink or an eye.

Lastly, the new American owners better get their acts right soon, before they screw everyone up any further. They've chewed on more than what they bargained for. Reports of their asking price of 500 million pounds is mind-boggling and it's disturbing that they're trying to make a huge profit out of the club when they've done jack. Their plans to plunge the club into more debt to finance their purchase is a major cause for concern. This means that if anything happens to us financially, they'll easily wash their hands off as the debt is on the club.

It's gonna be choppy and troubled waters ahead for LFC. Hopefully we'll take the right maneuvers to sail out of all this madness and uncertainty. I've certainly had enough of all the shenanigans from us; on and off the field.

First ever rant on me own blog.

The is a bloody monumental milestone for one who likes ranting and cursing about anything and everything. Been posting a shit load of comments and thoughts on the blogs of others, so it was high time for me to start doing it in me very own blog.

Since its the new year - 2008, what better way than to celebrate and look back to my 2007 by summing it all up in one word - SUCKED. My car is still slightly wreck at the front, no thanks to some idiot who jammed his brakes right in the middle of a corner while coming out of a junction when there is no oncoming traffic. Fooking had to foot his bloody repair bills as I DID bang his arse....... I mean his car.

Work was screwed up, the first 6 months was enjoyable then the shit hit the roof and now I feel like I've been taken for granted - worked my arse off and not getting recognised or appreciated by you know who. Enslaved is an understatement to my current situation!

It has been pretty good in my private life wise as I met a bunch of great people who i have the utmost respect for. You lots at MyRAWK made my boring non-existence life that little bit much more bearable. ;0) Those of you who is helping me get me life back on track, I salute and thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Facebook is God sent, me thinks. Managed to tracked down a few of my school mates that I have lost touch for so many freaking years, I'll need all my 10 finger and more to count how long I've not get in touch and meet them.

Last but not least, I'd say it has NOT been easy being a supporter of Liverpool FC. It was building up to be a great year and then all the drama started and wreck most of the great work done. The Champs League Finals in Athens was a both great and an anti-climax. Now the uncertainty in the background with the new owners, the new stadium and the gaffer is making everyone associated with LFC nervous and extremely jumpy. The performance of the team is not that inspiring either and leaves a lot to be desired, especially with the array of talents and depth we "supposedly" have.

Just hope both myself and LFC will do a heck lot better in 2008. All the best to everyone in 2008.