Issue 66, Autumn 2004
By Steve Kelly
Beware of lies and the lying liars who tell them. This is by far the latest second issue of the season, and I apologise. Again. In my defence, there has been a distinct lack of interest in contributing to this one. With t’internet and Liverpool FC passing through their almost-compulsory period of transition, it’s hardly a surprise.
I am tempted to rename it “Grumpy Old Kopites” from now on. The generation that has been writing in these pages for almost 15 years has moved on towards a tangible disgust with everything in the modern era. I wish I had a pound for every person who has used the words “force of habit” in a conversation with me. Not just about going to the game, but writing for TTW&R too. We desperately need new blood, but we’re probably not going to get it. The www’s a whole lot faster, which is fair enough.
I’m writing on the weekend after we lost John Peel. I can still remember the thrill I got when he read out our address and spoke admiringly about the cover (Aldo’s final game) way back in 1989. DIY music and magazines won’t ever die I don’t suppose, but they are slowly but surely sinking back to an almost wilful obscurity. It just got harder for new bands too, and I’m sure you’ll join me in paying respects to John’s family. What a man.
The previous issue was late too, but we still got caught on the hop by Michael Owen. If you’ve read the diary first, you’ll notice a certain bitterness tempered by an admiration for his huge talent and a secret pleasure that he’s showing Real what he can do. A few writers have made their feelings known here, and there is a degree of ambivalence. I was quite bewildered that he stayed so long in the first place, but the manner of the departure is what’s still eating at me. Not enough transfer money, bad timing, all that “in my blood” shite that no one really believed. He will remain one of our top-5 greatest ever strikers, but it’s a Keegan-style admiration rather than a Kenny-style love that we’ll hold for him in future.
The football and results have both been erratic, which is always what happens when we find ourselves in this situation. Houllier had a 1-0 loss at home to Watford and quite possibly the worst derby performances for years (our last defeat, he said almost inviting trouble!). He got his proper team together, Camara was on fire and a string of easy home games – and then started climbing the table and got our act together. Benitez has been given all manner of problems; Owen gone, Nunez Gerrard and Cisse out for long periods (and you still wince when anyone goes near Kirkland). It’ll be much more difficult to beautify the playing style than it was for Gerard to instil some defensive discipline and work-rate. The summer tournament reduced the pre-season, plus he has the Champions League to negotiate.
Frankly, I’m beginning to believe the sensible thing would be to write this season off completely. Rafa isn’t a miracle worker. He inherited a good team at Valencia. Sure, he immediately improved it but they went from good to very good. If he gets us from poor to okay in a single season, I’m afraid that will have to do. Has he been conned by the club? All that press about Thai money exploded in the weeks between Gerard going and Benitez arriving. He’s now dealing with a vastly depleted squad – the same squad that was patently not good enough last term. It’s an alchemist we need, not a coach!
Win the game in hand, plus the so-called easier games, and we should be okay. It’s what will happen in January that determines where we’ll end up. Why is Moores faffing Steve Morgan about? I’ve written a huge piece in this article denying that money is the root of all our problems, but if we wanted Benitez to hit the ground running he’s got to be given the tools to do the job. Quite simply, he hasn’t got what he wanted – and January may well dictate whether he’ll stick around. He left Valencia for similar reasons don’t forget, despite them being champions and UEFA Cup winners. Every day that Real are without a first-class manager, another shudder goes up my spine. If we’d wanted the manager to do it on a shoestring, through passion and discipline alone, then let Gerrard and Rafa get to the Bernabeau and bring in Martin O’Neill. I’ve said that since 1998, and I’ll keep saying it. My fellow editor at RAOTL once called him a young Shankly. Hype? Perhaps, and I still think Benitez can do a better job BUT he’s got to have a lot more at his disposal than we’re currently giving him.
Hillsborough has popped up again. It’s a double-edged sword, I suppose. It gives us a chance to make people remember what really happened that day, but the vicious lies and crass bigotry do hurt – whether it’s written in a respected magazine or yeowled at us by some Bermondsey cavemen. I have to confess that I’ve reached a point where I can shrug certain things off. Whoever expected the Spectator, Simon Heffer or Millwall supporters to be sympathetic to our cause? It’ll be a cold day in hell before any of them stop lying or stirring it up. It’s when I pick up the Guardian and read “alleged taunts” that I get angry – what was fucking “alleged” about what went on at the New Den? I still cheer when Sheffield Wednesday lose, anything to keep that death trap away from us – and if Millwall ever get nearer promotion I will become an avid supporter of whichever team they play.
However, I am full of admiration for the people who caused a fuss over the latest lies. There is absolutely no way that we can let this go. With the words “Liverpool” and “violence” featuring in the same headlines once more, it is vital that we stay vigilant and not allow any of this dishonesty to overwhelm us. In Millwall, we have the perfect example of a football club that stopped caring about its image and adopted a “no one likes us” catchphrase that is now used to excuse any of their often-risible behaviour.
We do care, and should always. We owe that much to the 96 and their still-grieving families. Enjoy the rest of the fanzine.
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