- The Liverpool
F.C.-Official Supporters Club "Hellenic Branch" is the first Liverpool
supporters club at the Southeastern part of Europe, based in Greece.
The club appeared for the first time early in 1995 when a few keen Liverpool
supporters met and decided to form a local branch. The idea of forming
a Liverpool supporters club was on their minds many years earlier, but
after the establishment of the I.S.C. everything was easier.
- The club
was recognized officially and developed rapidly. It now boasts almost
600 members. This club has always had lots of activities and still keep
on supporting Liverpool in many ways. The club office is located downtown
in Athens.
- Lots of
visits for several matches have been organized to Liverpool (for groups
of members up to 25 persons) starting from April'96 against West Ham
Utd, at Anfield. Meetings with Ian Rush and Sammy Lee had already happened
and in the same year, Steve McManaman was announced by our member’s
poll, Player of the year 1996. The legendary defender of the '60s &
'70s, Tommy Smith, was honored for his great services to the Liverpool
team. Today, he is the club’s Hon. President.
- There
was also, a visit to Anfield during which the members participating,
had the unique chance to visit Bill Shankly’s residence and meet
his wife Nessie , who was really satisfied then. The Liverpool veteran
Ronnie Whelan (announced Hon Gen.Secretary by the committee of the branch)
and the Reds youngster Gareth Roberts (now with Tranmere), have both
visited the club office and had a great time. Recently, a few members
had the chance to welcome and discuss with Vengard Heggem, during the
Norwegian national team’s visit to Greece.
- In March
of 1999, the first team assistant coach Phil Thomson and the L.F.C.
chief scouter Ron Yeats, met with representatives of the club while
visiting Athens, on a mission to search for recruits to sign, for the
rebuilding of the Liverpool's team. Similarly to that, couple of months
later 3 legendary players of the ‘80s era,
"King" Kenny Dalglish, Paul Walsh and Ronnie Whelan (coach of the
Greek club Panionios F.C. at the time), met with members of our club
and had a great night, full of memories.
- Most of
the activities so far, have been highly presented in L.F.C. match programs,
in the I.S.C. subscriber's magazine, "The Anfield Confidential", at
Liverpool's Official monthly magazine and in the Liverpool Football
Echo Newspaper,plus "The KOP" magazine and the famous fanzine "Red All
Over The Land".
- The main
purpose of this club, is to unite all the Liverpool supporters living
in Greece, organize them and offer good services. Promoting Liverpool
Football Club’s family spirit, is another aim of the members, who keep
a friendly atmosphere within the club. Joining the club is open to every
Liverpool fan, no matter where he lives in Greece. However, this is
the strongest fan club of the foreign clubs in Greece.
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