Shylocks

It’s been some time since Liverpool toured South-East Asia and from all accounts, it was quite successful. On the surface, it would have seemed the ultimate experience for me, a life-long Red (if you count life starting at 14 back in ‘74) fan, to see my heroes playing in my home. But I had felt misgivings and second guesses abounded from the time the tour was announced, and became stronger as the day approached to see them in the flesh. Why did this happen? I will try to put my feelings into words, although something as intangible as one’s love for the club is hard to formalize accurately.

                In the past long time ago, it felt that the players were a part of the community and you felt you knew them and felt for them, even if you were geographically displaced, like me. But then, in the 90’s, commercialism came along as a means of survival, initially, and later, as a mark of success. Now the players are hauled off at each opportunity to appease the sponsors, who, indirectly, pay for them. The Shylocks want their pound(s) of flesh. The team has become less and less a part of the community and more a part of a business. This was abundantly clear to me close up in Kuala Lumpur. The players and staff had their movements scheduled by the whims of corporate clowns, and every opportunity grabbed for crass promotion of their products.

                I am not sure that supporting this club with some ridiculously paid players, in the words of some, “mercenaries”, can fulfil the primitive urge of belonging anymore. Once again borrowing from geographical vocabulary, there has been erosion. Of support, feeling and belonging. Granted, this may be the way to go to guarantee long-term success for the club, which would then translate into trophies, which is what we all want. But at what price?

                I think that Liverpool Football Club has to rethink their role with their fans and maybe pull back a little. Rather than every moment being counted in fiscal terms, some time has to be given to connecting with the human side. Come this Saturday though, the next generation of Liverpool Football Club supporters and their dad will be in front of the LED screen, being as passionate about the club as before. Nevertheless, the doubts still linger.

Hanif Khan

Malaysia