'This'll be the best thing ever'
Liverpool today revealed they will kick off their 2012 tour of North America with a friendly against MLS side Toronto FC – so we spoke to Andrew Cashin from the Toronto branch of our supporters' club to see how the news has been received in Canada.
The match will be played on July 21 at the 47,000 capacity Rogers Centre and is one of three that have been announced as part of the Standard Chartered-presented tour.
Andrew thinks there will be a clamour for tickets – and he and his son Rhys want to be right at the front of the queue.
Firstly, what's your reaction to today's announcement?
It's obviously fantastic news. Liverpool last came here in 2004 for Rafa's first game and Michael Owen's last and the support we saw then helped put us as a supporters' club on the map. We have hundreds of paid-up members in our club but others from North America and around the world came and packed out the stadium. There were banners everywhere and it was a good chance to meet all the other fans we email and speak to around North America. It was like a conference for Liverpool fans.
A lot has changed since then...
It will be a dream come true to take my son, just before he turns five, to watch Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool. I was eight when Kevin Keegan left. I couldn't understand, I was gutted. But Kenny arrived and turned out to be our best ever player. That first season it was, 'Oh my goodness, the messiah has landed.' Every shirt me and my son have ever had has been a No.7. We are the disciples of Kenny Dalglish and for me to have the opportunity to take my son to watch his Liverpool in Toronto is the best thing ever. There is nothing better in the world!
There has been speculation that this game might happen – has there been a lot of excitement among the Reds out there?
We watch all the games at a bar called Scallywags, which is in the centre of Toronto, right on the subway line. The owner came to Anfield with me to watch the derby in 2008. It's three floors of flat screen TVs and last weekend for the derby we packed it out. The banter at the game was about this tour. We wondered why it would be called a North American tour if you weren't coming to Canada. There has been a real buzz, but in hushed tones.
You mentioned the last game in Toronto put your club on the map – what could this one do?
The way the web has expanded means people don't need to be a member of a supporters' club anymore because you don't need to find a pub to follow a game. You can get instant alerts or even watch the game online. Something like this game in July will reinvigorate the supporters' club here again.
Do any of you ever get to Anfield?
I'm originally from Birkenhead. I moved over when my parents emigrated in 1981. Before that I missed maybe only six matches home and away. Now there are five or six of us who try to get over twice a season. We fly on the Friday and fly back on the Sunday and it costs about $3000 each.
What can Liverpool expect from the Rogers Centre?
The game has been moved there to accommodate more fans. I think it will be absolutely packed. Last time I think they laid grass especially but I'm not sure if they'll do that or play on Astroturf. They make a real effort to create an atmosphere here. There is a conductor on a deck with a megaphone – the chants and songs don't just happen like they would at home. It might sound comical but it does create an atmosphere, as David Beckham discovered when he came with LA Galaxy. He got a lot of stick and was covered in streamers when he went to take corners. Have a look on YouTube. The stadium was full when Galaxy came and it's beyond question that Liverpool are a bigger draw.
What about Toronto – will they provide a stern test?
Well they've lost their first six games of the season and haven't won anything since 1967, but this will be a big game for them. The players will be playing against their heroes so it won't be easy. They're called the Reds and play in red, but rumour has it that Liverpool will be wearing red on the day.
Is football – and Liverpool in particular – popular over there?
It's actually the number one participation sport among kids. It's cheap compared to baseball, where you need the bat and glove, and hockey, where a stick can cost anything up to $1000. As for Liverpool, it's the big four back at home but here it's the big two - Liverpool and Manchester United. Arsenal and Spurs have some followers too.