Tony Evans
Win VIP tickets
Two years ago, on the approach to Stamford Bridge, one of those moments you dread arrived. “Headhunters,” my companion hissed. And there they were, surrounding us, fingering their calling cards. It was about to get ugly. The seconds that followed were a blur; the pain still almost tangible. They tried to recruit me for a leading financial institution in the City. The idea that Rupert and Tarquin thought I was a merchant banker makes me wince even now.
Once, Stamford Bridge was an intimidating place. On the pitch, the players were uncompromising brutes with names like Micky, Tommy and Chopper. The supporters came from council flats in Battersea and had names like, well, Micky, Tommy and Chopper.
Now the players have names like Claude, Ricardo and Hilário. Battersea has been gentrified and supporters at the Bridge have names like, well, Giles.
And then there are the songs they sing. What visiting fan hasn’t felt a shiver of fear when the cry of “One man went to mow!” rises up from the Matthew Harding Stand. Or, imagine what it is like being Frank Lampard and realising that, yes, they’ve thrown another man at that meadow. “Come on Sheva, there’s eight of them mowing now. The grass doesn’t have a chance. That’s the sort of commitment we’ve got to match . . . Good Lord, it’s nine now ! Let’s win it for the nine . . . ten . . . and Spot.”
Or is it part of the mad plan of Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, to turn Chelsea into the biggest club in the world by 2016? “Right, at every kindergarten in the land they are singing our song. How many does that add to our fanbase? Millions. And we’ll get their kids, too. Take that, Manchester United!”
To single out Stamford Bridge for a lack of atmosphere would be cruel, though. It is a problem across football, even at Anfield. But Liverpool supporters recognise this and have made massive efforts to keep their individuality with initiatives like Reclaim The Kop, a grassroots movement aimed at educating those not fully conversant with Kopite traditions. But compare the stadiums when Barcelona visited in this season’s Champions League.
At Anfield last month, the stadium was in a frenzy. Many supporters prepared special flags for the occasion and the Kop was a bouncing wall of red. Barça were greeted by a wall of flags at the Bridge in October, too. Only these had been supplied by the club. It was contrived and proved that mere banners do not create the right mood in a stadium. People do.
To this end, Liverpool supporters have something special in mind for the two ties over the next week. They have looked to Greece in the quest to reach Athens.
Impressed by the fanaticism of PAOK fans and the catchy nature of one of their songs, Liverpool supporters have appropriated the tune and added their own lyrics, which will boom out of the old Shed End tomorrow and take the roof off the Kop next week. Apart from Anfield on Saturday, it hasn’t been heard before on Premiership grounds. It’s new and innovative but will carry the weight of history with it.
Are you ready for it Chelsea? You were not two years ago and we’re set to take things up a notch. Because that thing called atmosphere is Liverpool’s calling card. And if you are not four up going to Anfield, worry.
Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here
Risk, resilience and embracing new technology
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System
The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a £5000 holiday
Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
The clever way to lease a new car is with Car leasing made simple™
2009
per month on 36-month
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
2008
42850
Car Insurance
£23,093 - £56,211
The Office for National Statistics
Newport, South Wales
£60,000
The Environment Agency
Bristol
Up to £90K
Boots
Midlands
OTE £85k
Credit Protection Association
Nationwide Opportunities
Completely London
Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views
The best new homes in Wimbledon?
Nationwide
Fabulous Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers Including Virgin Atlantic Flights Prices Start From Only £699pp!
Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp!
5 star quality at a 3 star price.
8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Property Finder | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
I am a big fan of Paok, My mother and my gradmother is Paok, Im from Toumpa and my blood is whie-black, but i also love Liverpool and i support Liverpool many years. I was a little boy when i wanted to be Mcmanaman. Nevermind I wish you enjoy the song all you liverpool fans.
The only bad thing that makes me sad is Liverpools friendship with the olympiakos. That was too bad
Feanor, Salonica/Greece,
we don't care what the red side say. PAOK FC
Howard, Salonica, greece
PSV Eindhoven Fans sing the same song.... They know very well what PAOK Fans mean!!!
PAOK, Salonika, London, Vasilis
Vasilis, London, UK
Guys thank you so much fot the honour. We never had the chance to sing in a European semi-final for our club, so listening our song in a Champions Leaque semi-final is tottaly amazing!!! If any Liverpool fan is reading this, please write the lyrics of your song. Wanna know what an Arsenal fan thinks about PAOK fans? Well go to http://www.paokworld.com/outputofarticle.php?ID=260, and see for your self!
See you in Athens guys-George PAOK till DEATH
George, Lamia, Greece
PAOK Fans are among the best in Europe. I have been to Toumba several times and the atmosphere is unbeatable, the chants are No.1. I have very good friends there. Come on Liverpool. PAOK / Newcastle - Black and White Forever.
Joe Ford, South Shields,
PAOK and LIVERPOOL two legends one song...
chris, greece/salonika,
I am a proud PAOK fan from Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece! I believe this song is one of the best tunes for a chant as it keeps going on and on! If you search on Youtube you'll find it was even sang in the 80 year ceremony of the club for 3 minutes! And that was not in the stadium! PAOK - LIVERPOOL fellow clubs!
Sotiris, Manchester ,
Ed - I was at the league game too.
The atmosphere was good but subdued at times, but that was because it was a 12.45 kickoff.
I watched a lot of live football at different clubs (including chelsea) & I do believe that these early kick-offs kill the atmosphere a bit. That's why next Tueday's atmosphere at Anfield will be different.
Afarid that glory hunters won't be present as you need to have been to all Liverpools home CL games to be eligible for a ticket.
Craig, LONDON, UK
We wish that our song is to bring luck to Liverpool Fc. In any case, regardless of who will be the one to win the two ties, Liverpool fans have already won the fans' battle by choosing such a great song!
Good Luck from Greece!
Alexiou Michalis, Piraeus, Greece
I too was at the league match between liverpool and chelsea and there was no atmosphere at all! Intimidating i don't think except that I once again had my car keyed!
nigel ingram, London,
Hello, I am PAOK Salonika fan from Greece. We are all honoured for Liverpool using our song and comparing our atmosphere with the best in the world. In Greece every game with PAOK is party time for us, we love our team and even when we go a goal or down we still sing. That is the way it should be.
I have seen Liverpools song with different lyrics and if you like here is video of us PAOK fans singing our version in Athens when we played AEK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqH_xpGILyk
Liverpool, you have the support of PAOK!
Alexandros, Thessaloniki,
I 've always been a huge fan of Liverpool.But as a Greek and a fanatic fan of PAOK FC,I've never even dreamed the day that a song of the team of my heart,that I sang a thousand times, would have heard in the historical Anfield...
Thank u Liverpool for the honor...Thank u for making me so proud...
We will meet in Athens to sing together once more...
"You Will Never Walk Alone..."
PAOK FC - LIVERPOOL FC
Eddie_, Thessaloniki, Greece
i was at anfield for the chelsea league game.
There is nothing whatsoever intimidating about it-not from my point of view anyway.If you were an opposition fan bringing your young child with you,it may be a different story.
Surely your not implying that Liverpool fans only get it together for the big games?
shock...horror...glory hunters unite
ed, london, england
PAOK fans are the craziest in Greece, probably around the world as well.The atmosphere they create in each game is amazing.
Koufalia, Athens, Greece
The atmosphere at some football grounds is amazing. It would be a huge shame if it got diluted and lost. Applause to people like Reclaim The Kop.
mike, London,
We are very proud that you choose one of our best songs to be heard in Stamford Bridge tonight.I wish you to come to Greece for the Champions League Final and that song to be heard at the Olympic Stadium of Athens.The stadium that first heard that song at the end of August during the 1st game of the Greek League against AEK.Good Luck
Dimitrios, Thessaloniki, Greece
We have been practicing the new "ooh Campione" song in The Albert and it sounds awesome. Looking forward to blasting it out at Chelsea on Wednesday, and especially at Anfield a week later.
Ringoh, Liverpool, England