Global LFC Family: Poland

Name: Radoslaw Chmiel
Age: 26
City/country: Rzeszow, Poland. Currently live in Liverpool
Job: Head Editor for Red Scouse World blog and Agent Desk Support Administrator for BCD Travel, Liverpool

Why did you pick Liverpool as your team?

I wasn't a fan of football when I was young - when I was about 10, I wanted to become the next Michael Jordan! But thanks to my dad, who is a football coach in Poland, who supports Liverpool and remembers the glory years of Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Kenny Dalglish and Joe Fagan, I changed my mind. I always liked British culture, my parents listened to the Beatles a lot and they were telling me that the Fab Four came from Liverpool. Then, in 1999, my romance began.

What's your earliest LFC memory?

It was September 11, 1999, when Manchester United came to Anfield and thanks to Andy Cole and two own-goals by Jamie Carragher, we lost 3-2. But I remember a great atmosphere in the stands, full of passion and energy from the home supporters. This passion caught my eye and I started to follow Liverpool's results. I must admit that I watched the game on VHS cassette as it was a gift from my auntie in London.

Who was your first LFC hero and why?

There's only one name at the very beginning: Robbie Fowler. This local lad was also one of my earliest memories. I remember him playing with the No.23 shirt and later on with the famous No.9 on his back. He was an amazing player and an unpredictable striker with the personality of a joker. His (in)famous celebration after he scored a goal at Anfield will always be in my mind. But another player who had a big influence on me was Jerzy Dudek. Our Istanbul hero was my role model as I was a goalkeeper for my local junior team. I always wanted to be a pro and I copied every move and save Dudek made in Rotterdam. I remember during the summer of 2001 when I came back home from my training session and my dad shouted that Dudek had signed a contract with Liverpool. I was in utter space and it was one of my best days with Liverpool at that time.

What is your favourite LFC memory?

You would be surprised, but it was not the Istanbul night. That is one of my favourite moments, of course, but if I had to choose, it would be the day I met Jerzy Dudek in person at Melwood. I was 18 years old when I visited Liverpool for the first time - a year after that magical night in Turkey - and the first thing I did was to go to Melwood and try to catch the players and get some photos and autographs. My friend and I were standing in front of the gate when Jerzy came out of the complex, and we started to shout to him in Polish. He got into his car and stopped in front of us. I was just amazed and I couldn't speak.

I was so surprised that Jerzy - my boyhood hero - was just in front of me making conversation. We started to talk about the Wrexham friendly game we wanted to go to, but the tickets were sold out. When Jerzy heard that he said he would try to sort something out. And believe it or not - two days later we got a call from his wife saying that two tickets would be waiting for us at Wrexham stadium! It was the best gift and gesture I received in my whole life and it also showed us how Jerzy is a really friendly and helpful man. I've got so much respect for him and I mean it.

Who has been your favourite Liverpool manager and why?

Rafa Benitez. No matter what has been said about him, he brought stability and the European Cup back to Anfield. He will be remembered not only for the Istanbul miracle but also for his gestures to the Hillsborough families and also for rebuilding the Academy, from which we will benefit in the future.

What has been your lowest point supporting Liverpool?

The Hicks and Gillett era - one of the worst times for the club.

Have you ever been to Anfield?

As I've lived in Liverpool for eight years, I try to be at Anfield as much as I can. I go to the stadium not only during the season, but during the off season too. One of my greatest memories from Anfield is a recent visit with the Polish Navy during the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Atlantic this year. The sailors were amazed with the stadium and we got to take a picture with the European Cup, which is now pride of place in the most visible part of the ORP Kosciuszko missile frigate!

Where were you while we were in Istanbul?

I was 17 years old when the magical final was played in Turkey. I watched that game with my dad and I cried. I really cried after the first half. My dad hugged me and said that these things happen in football, but I was really down and I didn't want to listen to him. "Dad," I started to shout. "You'll see that we can do it! And Dudek will be the hero!" What happened next we all know, but after the Dudek's double-save from Andriy Shevchenko, I started to cry again - from happiness as I was convinced that we would win Big Ears!

Do Liverpool have a passionate fan base where you're from?

In Poland there is an official LFC supporters' branch and people meet in various cities in Poland to watch Liverpool games together. Once a year there is one great LFC fans rally - one year in the north of Poland and another year in the south. During the rally we play a classic football game between north and south LFC Fans. We have quizzes, we sing, we dance; we just have fun while talking about our greatest love. Also, for every home game, there is a bunch of guys who make the trip to Anfield, so you can imagine how busy I am during the season meeting with my red brothers and sisters during match weekends. We also have a strong LFC Polish fans team in Liverpool. Right now there are about 10 people I meet with on a regular basis in various Liverpool pubs to watch and support the Reds.

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

Manchester United, like Liverpool, also have a big fan base in Poland. Manchester United and Liverpool are the two most famous clubs in my country. There's no better atmosphere than watching the clash and shouting and singing the songs all together against them.

Where do you go online to follow news about LFC?

I use the Liverpool FC official website as my main source but I also visit the Liverpool Echo website and I use the official LFC Facebook and Twitter accounts. As head editor for our bilingual blog Red Scouse World, I also have my very unique sources - but I can't tell you the names!

Do you also support a local team?

When I was younger, I played football for my local team Resovia Rzeszow. I have feelings for this club, but I have no time to check their scores on a regular basis. Supporting the Reds takes almost all of my free time, so sorry Resovia, but Liverpool has taken your place in my heart forever.

Who is your favourite current player and why?

The obvious answer would be Steven Gerrard - he's absolute class and a legend of Liverpool - while our SAS strike-duo are also the best. But I'll choose Simon Mignolet - a top, top goalkeeper with magical reflexes, strong handling and good aerial play. I have a funny story about Simon, as there is a pub in Liverpool where, every time I go there, I can't enter until I sing the 'A Mignolet' song with the security guys! They even stopped me on the street to sing it! How could anyone not love the city of Liverpool? Amazing!

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

I've been lucky enough to meet many past and present players during my journalist career. Recently I spoke with Jamie Carragher and my dad's heroes Jan Molby, John Barnes and John Aldridge. Every time I do an interview I am privileged I can speak with not only my own heroes like Jerzy Dudek, Sami Hyypia or Carra, but also my dad's boyhood heroes. He is so proud of me every time I speak with him and I tell him that Molby or Barnes are sending their best wishes for him. However, one person I would really like to meet and speak with is the king himself - Kenny Dalglish. I have no words to describe how much I admire Kenny and if I meet him someday in the future, I will note that day as one of the best days of my life.

What makes you most proud to be a Liverpool supporter?

No matter what happens, we always stick together. I am sure that I can rely on my Red brothers and every time I would need help or they would need help, we can be sure the help will come. The togetherness is very important, not only with our issues, but we can also unite in very serious cases. An example of this is Ewa Kieryk, who lost her legs in a terrible accident. Once we heard the news about her accident, we started a campaign in Poland to help the teenager to achieve her dream and travel to Anfield. I must admit that this unity showed not only by our supporters but also other team's fans in Poland was one of the best moments in my life. I speak with Ewa via Facebook and I have another goal: to bring her to Anfield for her 18th birthday!

I am pretty sure we will be able to do it. Polish LFC fans are known for their charitable actions. A couple of years ago we put on a charity tournament in Rzeszow, where we played football for two days and raised money for the rehabilitation of an Arsenal fan's child - Dominik, who was born with spina bifida. It was another great achievement connected with football and unity. I also feel proud to not only be a Reds fan but also a citizen of this lovely city. You can feel football, you eat football, you sleep football. Every time I am in a bank, at the doctors - wherever I go - we have to speak about the footie. The spirit and unity is very unique in Liverpool and you will not find it in any other city in the world.

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

Every LFC fan has his or her own story which is unique but by saying 'You'll Never Walk Alone' it connects us all. It is not only one of the most famous football anthems in the world but this is our blood, our way of life. We know that we can unite in great causes, we are able to help and I am pretty sure that you won't find it anywhere else. The spirit amongst us is powered by our anthem, our great history and the glorious times, but also pain and the lows. We know how important it is to help other people as we needed help in the past. The Liverpool Way brings millions of stories under the one Liverbird upon our chests.

An official Liverpool FC Polish Twitter account will launch soon. To become one of the first followers, click here. 

Previous articles in the Global LFC Family series:

South Africa - Melissa Reddy>>
Thailand - Jeerawan Duangnam Herriot>>
Australia - Wayne Psaila>>
Mexico - Victor Alvarado>>
Indonesia - Andhika Sarwendha Suksmana>>
Nepal - Nischal Adhikari>>
Ghana - Aristo Dotse>>
India - Kaushal Goyal>>
Singapore - Henry Hann>>
Bahrain - Mohamed Ashoor>>
Mongolia - Amarsaikhan Orsoo>>
Vietnam - Pham Quynh Le>>
USA - July 4th Special>>
Iran - Mohammad Reza Rahimi>>
South Korea - Yong-Suk Choi>>
Norway - Arild Skjæveland>>
Russia - Ivan Potapov>>
Myanmar - Khin Maung Cho>>
USA - Roy Yates>>
China - Chen Jing>>
Brazil - Bárbara Rubio>>
Kenya - Mitesh Chavda>>
Spain - Luis Gutierrez>>
Venezuela - Jorge De Castro>>
Greece - Efstratios Sakkias>>
Malaysia - Muzili Aznor Musa>> 
Taiwan - Roxan>>
Finland - Jani Lilja>>
Turkey - Ulfan Ismihanov>>
Mauritius - Jean-Carl Palmyre>>
Pakistan - Bissmah Mehmud>>