40 not out for the 'Voice of Anfield'

The dulcet tones of George Sephton have been entertaining matchday regulars at Anfield since 1971 and to mark the 40^th anniversary the club will making a special presentation to him before the game.

We will be also celebrating the occasion by broadcasting George Sephton: The Big Interview on LFC TV at 6pm.

"Saturday will be a very proud day for me and to be recognised by the club is fantastic," said Sephton.

"It's hard to believe I've been doing it for 40 years. I didn't think I'd even last 12 months! It's quite a landmark and I'm gobsmacked to have reached it.

"Liverpool is in my blood. My father had a trial for the Reds back in 1923 and I've always been a huge fan.

"It's been a privilege and I'll carry on while people still want me to do it. There's a tradition in American baseball that stadium announcers carry on until they drop. There are guys over there still doing it in their 90s.

"I don't know if I'll still be going then but it would be nice to get to 50 years." 

He landed the role as stadium announcer after writing a letter to then Chief Executive Peter Robinson, and his first game saw Kevin Keegan mark his debut with a goal after just 12 minutes during the win over Nottingham Forest on August 14, 1971.

He added: "It all started when I made a sarcastic remark about the person who was doing the announcing to my wife while we were in the Paddock watching a game one night.

"She said 'it's easy to say that from down here, but could you do any better?' I thought I could so I wrote to Peter Robinson basically saying 'give me a job'.

"As it turned out they had decided to get shut of this other guy and were wondering what to do when my letter dropped on the desk. My first game turned out to be Kevin Keegan's debut. I've always had an affinity with Kevin.

"I've been lucky enough to meet some amazing people.

"I got an award off Ian St John at the supporters' club dinner. When I was a lad I loved watching him play and never imagined one day I'd be on first name terms with him.

"Kenny Dalglish is the greatest player I've ever seen and he was on LFC TV saying some kinds words about me. To hear my hero praising me was surreal but it makes it all worthwhile.

"I've got absolute faith in Kenny and I'm really pleased with the signings.

"The owners know what they are doing. We've got a good manager and a classy squad. We just need a bit of luck to help us get back on top."

A matchday at Anfield just wouldn't be the same without Sephton playing a Beatles classic or the Depeche Mode tune 'Just Can't Get Enough' which the Kop have adopted as Luis Suarez's theme tune.

His unique style as an announcer has made him a popular figure amongst the crowd.

"I've always just tried to be myself," he said. People say the music they hear before a game at Anfield is different to any other ground.

"You go to some grounds and dance music is screaming out at you. That's inappropriate for a crowd with such an age range.

"At Anfield there are people aged three to 93 so I try to be selective. I'd like to think I've got a good taste in music and I play an eclectic mix of stuff. I've always played as many Liverpool bands as I could over the years and some have told me I gave them their first break." 

Don't miss George Sephton: The Big Interview on LFC TV on Saturday evening at 6pm.