The purpose of this article is to serve as an introduction to Liverpool Football Club for those who have a passing interest, or would like just a little more information and insight as to why they are considered to be the most successful football club in England. I will obviously include some facts and figures for the uninitiated, but rather than regurgitate statistics to be found on their own (excellent) website www.liverpoolfc.tv, I will try to portray some of the feeling and emotions that make the club more than just a success story. On top of this, as this is my first hub I decided to start off with a topic particularly close to my heart and hopefully this will show.

Formation

There are 2 main football clubs in Liverpool city but originally there was just 1, Everton. In 1888 when the league formed it was Everton who were playing at Anfield. It was only because of a ground rent issue in 1892 that the club chairman John Houlding stayed behind with just three players as Everton moved out and Liverpool Football club was born. What this means is that Liverpool and their great local rivals Everton were once one and the same, a fact that lends just that little bit more edge to the usual rivalry associated with derby (local) matches.

Liverpool FC

The stats say that Liverpool are the single most successful team in England 18 league titles stretching from the first in 1901 through to the latest in 1990 (yes, that is a painfully long time ago now!). 5 European titles 3 UEFA titles 7 FA cup and 7 League cup triumphs, but that doesn't tell the whole story not by a long way.

In 1959 Liverpool were languishing in the 2nd division of English football when the board made an approach for manager Bill Shankly. At the time he was relatively unknown (to the Liverpool fans at least) and he refused to take the job unless he was allowed to pick the team. After a period of reflection (about 9 years) the board made him the first Liverpool manager to be extended this level of control and what a decision it was. Bill took the team and turned it around gaining promotion to the 1st division quickly, winning the title in '64 and cementing his status at the club by winning the FA cup for the 1st time in the clubs history in '65.

More than stats

There are 2 things that in my eyes at least separate Liverpool from ordinary successful teams. Firstly, Liverpool have been involved in 2 major tragedies. The thing about tragedies is that although they are (obviously) tragic, they can serve to bring people together. In the same way as an earthquake will bring people closer, the same can be said on a smaller scale in footballing terms.

Liverpools' were the Heysel disaster in 1985 (essentially caused by poor planning and management of the supporters as well as a certain amount of appalling behaviour from the fans on both sides). Then only 4 years later the Hillsborough tragedy (caused by bad management and severe overcrowding).

In both cases lives were lost and bitter lessons learnt not just by the clubs involved but by football in general with the Hillsborough tragedy eventually leading to the legal requirement of all seater stadiums in the top level of English football. Both of these created a sense of togetherness between the fans who were considered anyway to be some of the best fans in the country.

Roy of the Rovers

The 2nd thing that sets Liverpool apart is slightly less morbid and is summarised perfectly by a flag one of my friends made that has since been taken to a number of matches. I cannot repeat in this article the exact words but the gist is "Its never easy". Liverpool always seem to do things the hard way, A perfect example is the 2005 European cup Final.Playing the best club team in Europe AC Milan they go 3 - 0 down by half time. No team has ever come back from that scoreline in the final before and certainly not against a team like Milan. Not t put the fans off they sing their hearts out all through half time and within 20 minutes of the restart their team was level 3 - 3. After this the momentum swings in their favour as the match goes to extra time and despite players dropping with cramp left, right and centre, it goes to penalties, Liverpool lift the cup following some heroics from goal-keeper Jerzy Dudek.

This I give as an example but it has happened on numerous occasions with comebacks coming in Roy of the Rovers style (old football comic reference apologies, check out www.royoftherovers.comfor a trip down memory lane or just a good laugh). It is not just the success but the heroic way in which the success had been attained and combined with the togertherness that comes from overcoming the odds and travelling through troubled times that gives Liverpool Football club something extra and it's something that you can feel coming up through the floor when you stand on the Kop, singing in unison with thousands of others who you know and understand the way you feel.

I have gone on far too long for an article like this but you can find out more easily with just a little effort and there are some great books and DVDs out there to get your hands on. I hope you've enjoyed the article.