Global LFC Family: Australia

The club announced last week that they will play their first game on Australian soil in Melbourne on July 24 and, with tickets for the game going on sale at 11pm tonight, Liverpoolfc.com caught up with one supporter who used to have to wait two days to find out whether Liverpool had won or lost.

Name: Wayne Psaila
Age: 40
City/country: Adelaide, Australia
Job: Owner of Pinc, founder and owner of The L Files

Why did you pick Liverpool as your team?

I fondly remember watching the 1986 FA Cup final and seeing a fellow Aussie (with a curly mop of hair) score a great goal against our neighbours across the park - that Aussie was one Mr Craig Johnston and I was hooked.

What's your earliest LFC memory?

The 1986 FA Cup final. What a game that was! The FA Cup final was literally the only live English football match shown on television here in Australia. It was a family tradition that my family would stay up to watch it every year.

How did people in your country follow Liverpool's fortunes at first?

Mostly by radio and the weekly one-hour MOTD show.

Was it difficult to find out news or see the match?

It was very difficult indeed. Keep in mind that we had no internet, no cable TV - just a one- hour highlights show and BBC radio if we were lucky. Newspapers only reported results 48 hours after the games happened. There were no live football matches shown here. Football - soccer as it is known here - was considered a sport for the European migrants and shunned by the Aussie rules and cricket centric locals. There were times when I wouldn't know if LFC won or lost and I would nervously have to wait two days before I knew the results from our local newspaper.

Who was your first LFC hero and why?

John Barnes. I used to play left wing when I was younger and Digger was the player I wish I could've been. Digger is still the best winger I've ever seen play. He had it all - amazing skill, vision, power, pace, finishing and dribbling technique. Leaves Gareth Bale for dead if you want my opinion!

What is your favourite LFC memory?

May 25, 2005 - Istanbul. 450 of us were crammed in a local Irish pub in Melbourne's CBD. What an incredible and emotional game. More importantly, that night the MLSA was born and I bonded with some very special friends who are like brothers to me now. The crowds arrived at around midnight and partied well into the next day. The atmosphere was incredible. Grown men singing all the songs sung on the Kop, crying, hugging each other, dancing on the bar and in the street - we even stopped morning peak hour traffic. TV crews came down to see what all the commotion was. It was such a magical experience. We really shook Melbourne that night.

Who has been your favourite Liverpool manager and why?

Hard one actually but I will say Rafa. Simply put, he turned us into the best team in Europe - after our victory in Istanbul, mind you - and more importantly he is still a fan of the club and city.

What has been your lowest point supporting Liverpool?

Heysel and Hillsborough are obvious choices for me. Such tragic and sad events - life is always more important than any football game. RIP 39 and JFT96.

Have you ever been to Anfield?

Yes, in September 2007 for the game versus Birmingham. It was a 0-0 stalemate but was still a magical day. I fell in love with the city of Liverpool - the locals were great and so friendly. Seeing Anfield for the first time rise out of the urban sprawl as I rode on the bus was a vision I will never forget. My Maltese cousin managed to get us tickets just behind the goal at the Annie Road end. Singing YNWA before kick-off was just fantastic. Such a special day in my life - a dream fulfilled!

How passionate are the Liverpool fans in Australia?

I might be biased but our supporters are as diehard as they come!

Which team are considered Liverpool's biggest rivals in your country?

Still the second best team in England, Manchester United.

Where do you go online to follow news about LFC?

My own website, of course! The L Files at www.liverpoolaustralia.com.au and Twitter.

Do you also support a local team?

Yes. Australia's very own Reds - Adelaide United.

Who is your favourite current player and why?

Luis Suarez. His incredible skill is only matched by his never-say-die fighting attitude. You know Luis would literally bleed for the shirt for the full 90 minutes in every single game regardless of the opponent. I just can't get enough!

If you could meet anyone connected to Liverpool FC - past or present - who would it be and why?

Kenny Dalglish. Not only a true living LFC legend but one of the most selfless human beings on the planet. I cannot speak highly enough of Kenny. He deserves a knighthood alone for his incredible bravery and compassion towards all those connected with Hillsborough. He symbolises all that is LFC.

What makes you most proud to be a Liverpool supporter?

All the amazing fellow Reds I have met through the past 15 years via The L Files and also the MLSA that I now consider family. LFC is like being part of a worldwide family, no matter who you are or where you come from.

Finally, what does 'the Liverpool way' mean to you?

Working together for the greater good of the club with dignity, honesty and integrity.

For details of how to buy tickets tonight for Liverpool's match in Melbourne on July 24, click here>>