Regulars of these parts will notice that I seldom post about football
(without trawling through my post history, I believe the last post may have been in 2012 prior
to my beloved Liverpool’s League Cup triumph against Cardiff City).
So,
why is it that these parts remain baron in all things of the round ball
variety? Various reasons. Football cuts close to the bone, blurring my thoughts
to write constructively about it. For me, football is hypnotic. Football is a sport that
either grabs you or leaves you cold. Suffice to say, I’m in the former
category.
The
Hicks and Gillett ownership circus took its toll on most ardent Liverpool
supporters and I was no different. I frequent the esteemed Red and White Kop
forums, which mainly helps justify my existence, however any critique of games,
players etc. is largely non-existent through any other mediums or platforms.
Hopefully, that may change in the future.
Football
aficionados will know that Steven George Gerrard needs no introduction. His
decision not to stay at Liverpool has been met with heavy hearts, however it’s
a decision the man has made with the blessing of many, myself included. I’ve
been privileged to witness Steven
Gerrard ply his trade in the flesh. Luckily, on many occasions, too. In the
future, I hope to share some of those moments right here.
For
now, though, I cannot describe my feelings towards Steven Gerrard. The season
still has a lot to offer, and so does Gerrard himself. Reiterating, there will
be a time where homage to the great man will be paid. For now, though, Red and
White Kop poster, "Fiasco", has summed it up best for me. With his permission, I
share with you his eloquent and well balanced missive:
“It won't hit people
just how much we'll miss him until he's no longer pulling on the red shirt. I'm
only 22 years of age but he's without a doubt the best player I have ever seen
play for us and one of the best players to have ever graced this league. People
are remembering him and viewing him for what he is now. He's approaching 35
years of age, he's played over 800 games in his professional career and has
suffered a list of injuries as long as one of Mr Fantastic's arms. I wish, hope
and quietly expect that people will see just what a wonderful, wonderful player
and captain he has been for us and not the mini-shadow of his former self. It's
called nature, it happens to everybody. It's not his fault his body and mind
can't compute as well any longer.
Players like Steven Gerrard aren't nurtured. Players like Gerrard are simply
born to play football. Some players are successful due to their physical make
up, perhaps great speed or stamina. Some players are successful because of
their incredible ability on the ball, an eye for a pass or great set-piece
delivery. Others simply have a knack for scoring goals, others are great
because of their versatility and some just have a heart so big that any
deficiencies are minimized. Steven Gerrard was so damn good because he had all
of those qualities and then some. He wasn't a Jack of all trades, master none.
He was master of most and Jack of a few.
Think of any great moment of the past 15 years. Any cup win, any derby win or
memorable win against a top side, any comeback win, any great goal or
incredible game. In most of those you remember I can guarantee Steven Gerrard
will be at the heart of it. I simply cannot remember a player being so
influential. Last minute goals, game saving tackles, covering so much ground
that would make Henderson look a tad lazy or a basic well rounded performance.
He could and did do everything you would want from a player. He left every drop
of sweat on the pitch, he would never walk off a pitch wondering what might
have been.
As it happens I grew up and still live about a 5 minute drive from where Stevie
did. He made it to the very top of the game like so many millions of kids want
to. He's a simple, genuine lad from Huyton who has gone on to be one of the
best players in world football. I tip my hat off to him. It's a dream that a
tiny few see come true and how fucking lucky we are that his path was one that
led to the front door of Anfield. Without him I genuinely don't know where we
would be as a football club right now. Don't forget that this guy is still the
only player to have scored in an FA cup final, a League cup final, a UEFA
cup/Europa league final and a Champions league final. He played massive part in
getting us there, and once he got us there he stepped up like a fucking boss.
Time after time after time.
I know many of you don't care for England as I don't but the man earned over
100 caps for his country. Not many people do that. He scored in a couple of
World Cup tournaments as well, as is the norm. He was overlooked many times for
the captaincy and I know that hurt him but he got it in the end through merit
and although he didn't achieve much with Roy's tame lions nobody can blame him
for that. But ultimately getting 100 caps for your country is a phenomenal
achievement.
I think a few people have never warmed to him. I think they believe that he
thought, or was considered to be, bigger than the club. I think also they [sic] they never quite got over him flirting with
Chelsea. Fuck that. At the time he was a footballer in the prime of his career.
I frankly would be surprised if he wouldn't have considered moving. He's a
winner, he was born a winner. The idea of winning trophies was so strong that
he almost left us. In the end, thankfully, his love for this club was too
strong. It happens. It's something that doesn't really bother me. People think
sometimes that he can't be arsed, or he turns up when it suits him. Again, fuck
that. This is a guy who played almost a full season with pain-killing
injections. This is a player whose career was a whisker away from being over
when his groin and bone decided to almost separate. He bounced back from that
and many countless injuries to get back on the pitch for us. Don't for a minute
think he never gave his all.
I'm gutted. Genuinely gutted, almost like a lover has left me. I've grew up
with this fella being the heart and soul of the club I love. I've grew up with
him giving me the best days of my life as a supporter. I've seen him almost
single-handedly win us trophies. I've seen Istanbul, I've seen Cardiff, I've
seen Olympiakos. I've seen some of the most amazing goals I have ever
seen. I've seen him own and destroy some of the best teams of the last 20
years. I've seen him be described by Zinedine Zidane as the best player on the
planet. I've seen Thierry Henry say he's the one player in world football he
would love to play with.
He's the one player that no matter who comes after him, no matter what they
achieve, no matter how many trophies they win I can say 'That's great, but you
never got to see Steven Gerrard'."
Once again a big thanks to "Fiasco" for allowing me to share his words.
Simon K.
