Rush helps Reds open Family Park
Liverpool legend Ian Rush was on hand to cut the ribbon and officially declare Anfield's Family Park open on Sunday afternoon.
The Park, located next to the Food Village just off Anfield Road, was launched by Rushie with a little help from eight-year-old Junior Member VIP for the day Oliver Boyle.
Academy starlet Kristoffer Peterson was also present as he tried out some of the activities inside the Park and LFC mascot Mighty Red was his usual mischievous self as he entertained the children.
The Family Park will be free for families, pre-match, who have a matchday ticket, and will have a range of entertainment to keep youngsters occupied. This includes a speed cage, a target cage and an inflatable five-a-side pitch.
Joined by LFC Supporters' Committee representative, Janet Brown OBE, the club's operations director Andrew Parkinson was present to oversee a successful opening afternoon. He told Liverpoolfc.com: "I'm really excited as it's a great day for the club.
"I think you can see from the turnout today just how popular it is already and the Park is hopefully going to be here for a long time to come.
"There's plenty to do for the family and it's all free as well. The Park will be open, weather-permitting, for every Liverpool home game."
Peterson enjoyed the afternoon, stopping to chat with youngsters and their parents and watched as the young guests enjoyed the host of activities on offer.
And the young winger might have been tempted to join them, especially after watching guest performer Dan Magness show-off his astonishing ball skills for the crowd.
"I'm delighted to be here," he said. "It's great for me to be around the fans and also to be in the company of such a legend as Ian Rush.
"I've been getting involved in some of the activities but I can't pull my hamstring, so I haven't been able to have many shots! But I've been here for kids and it's been great to have a nice chat with them.
"It's important because older guys might go to the pubs before the match but for the kids who can't the Park is brilliant. It's a fantastic area for the kids to be."
As well as helping Rush cut the ribbon, junior VIP Oliver was given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the teams warm up from the dugout before kick-off against Arsenal.
Oliver, from Towcester, was handed the opportunity to assist Rush in opening the Park after his dad entered him into a prize draw run for all LFC Junior Members.
Over 1,500 children entered and Oliver was the lucky winner. He took time out from enjoying his afternoon to explain to Liverpoolfc.com how the Park will be a fun place for youngsters like him to head to before games.
"I'm very, very excited to be here," he said. "I've been playing football over at the five-a-side pitch and then I've been trying to get balls through holes but I only got five. It's been great."
The Members' Dream Draw is a monthly competition which offers money-cant-buy prizes. To be in with a chance of winning some of these great prizes, join LFC official membership today.
