FAMOUS KOPITES

Every issue, Well Red tracks down a famous Kopite and asks them all about LFC. In this issue we speak to actor . . .

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Why do you support Liverpool? I come from a house of Blue. My dad and elder brother where both blues and then my next eldest brother, Tony, decided to go against the grain and support the Reds. When my mum was pregnant with me, my dad was convinced she was having a girl and Tony persuaded him that if it was a boy he’d let him be a Liverpool fan. Tony spent all his pocket money on getting me a Stevie Heighway shirt and the rest is history. First game? The first game I went to was Liverpool v QPR. I stood on the Kop and was thrown around all over the place. What sticks in your mind about that game? What I remember most about that game is the Liverpool fans giving Stan Bowles loads of stick. I think there was something in the papers about him playing away from home with someone else’s wife. At one point he came up to the Kop and bowed in front of us which was brilliant, and for the rest of the game we all applauded like mad whenever he got the ball. I also remember (I think) Tommy Smith taking the piss out of Joey Jones. Best Liverpool FC moment? It has to be Istanbul, I watched it at

Stan Bowles was a bit of a character

38 home with my son, also a Red and my wife ran into the room after our third goal worried that someone had been killed. She couldn’t believe the noise we made. Other than Istanbul? Besides that I would say it was Tommy Smith’s header against Monchengladbach (whatever happened to them?) and then Keegan’s run for the penalty afterwards. It’s one of my first memories of being gathered around the TV with my brother and even my dad was screaming for us. Any good at footie yourself? I play in goal and always have done. But these days I don’t get much of a chance to play. I use to play five-a-side every week for years but work has put paid to that. Favourite player? Kenny is my favourite of all time. What can you say? The man is a legend, but Stevie G is well up there now. Best goal you’ve seen? There are so many but I think Xabi Alonso’s goal from his own half against Newcastle was brilliant. A great player who I miss a lot. Would you like to see Liverpool move to a new, bigger stadium or would like to see us stay at Anfield and why? Obviously Anfield is a great stadium full of wonderful memories but I do think a club that has the ambitions of Liverpool need to be playing in front of 70-80 thousand a week. And for that we’d need a new stadium. As long as the design doesn’t take away that Anfield magic.

MUCH MISSED: Xabi Alonso

THE KING: Kenny Dalglish is a firm favourite with David Morrissey

What are your opinions on a ground share with *them*? I wouldn’t like to see a ground share with Everton for many reasons. I don’t think it would make sense for either club to be honest and I don’t think either sets of supporters want it. Rafa Benitez getting the sack - good decision? I thought Rafa left by “mutual consent”. Again he gave me great Liverpool memories and I thank him so much for that. But I never look backwards and for me it’s all about who will come in and take us on to that Premier League win. What do you think about the appointment of Roy Hodgson as new boss? Very happy about Woy. Just hoping we can keep Stevie G and Torres....a vain hope I guess. What are your expectations for next season? I just want to see the players competing. I see no reason why the players we have in that dressing room can’t challenge for all competitions. Too many players disappeared on the pitch during matches last season and you want them to step up this year. But as to adding to the squad that would depend on how much is in the pot I guess.

Do you get to Anfield much? I get to games as often as I can, work depending. Last season wasn’t good for me as I was working throughout but I got to a few London games. What do you think about LFC’s owners? I’m not enamoured with the American owners. I worry about the debt we’re in and the amount we have to spend on players. But I know many football fans feel the same about their own teams. Any successful team needs a strong and supportive board that is not fighting among themselves and I don’t think we’ve had that for some time. Do you preach LFC to your acting friends — and if so, what do they make of it? I’m constantly going on to my work colleagues about Liverpool. Working in London of course I’m surrounded by Man U fans and that’s been hard for a while but at least they didn’t get the Premier League this season. What’s your next project? I’ve just finished doing a new drama for SKY called Thorne-Sleepyhead based on the Mark Billingham books about a detective in London. However I play him as a scouser which was great for me. It should be out in October on SKY 1 so look out for it.

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