Brendan helps LDSA toast 10 years
Liverpool Disabled Supporters' Association celebrated its 10th anniversary Christmas gala-dinner in style with a special visit from Brendan Rodgers on Thursday night.
The manager helped welcome 180 LDSA members to their annual dinner, which was held in the Reds Lounge at Anfield.
Accompanied by Liverpool legends Roy Evans, David Fairclough and Alan Kennedy, Rodgers slowly made his way around the room, pausing at each table to chat to members and pose for photographs.
"I'm very proud to be here," the manager told Liverpoolfc.com. "When I got the invitation through for the 10th anniversary of the event, I was more than happy to attend.
"Each supporter and every group of supporters of Liverpool FC are very important to us - and none more so than the group here tonight.
"The LDSA has more than 400 members and is one of the biggest groups of its kind in Europe, so I'm very pleased and delighted to be asked.
"This is why Liverpool is announced as one of the greatest football families in the world. We're all Liverpool supporters and people who love the club and it's a real privilege to be here. These people make such an effort throughout the world and their support is vital."
It was a special night for former Evans, who was officially handed the LDSA presidency by its previous incumbent Fairclough.
Evans played his first game for Liverpool in 1970 - and was a key figure in the Reds' back-room staff right through until the point he became first-team manager in 1994.
"I am delighted to be taking up the LDSA President role," said Evans. "I hope I can continue to support their important work."
The LDSA was established 10 years ago as a committee, whose aim was to improve provisions within Anfield for disabled supporters.
Since then, it has grown into one of the largest disabled associations in English football and has members as far away as Canada, the USA and Lithuania.
This year, the LDSA has assisted with the consultation for stadium improvements for all disabled supporters and launched a new podcast website which is particularly aimed at blind and visually impaired members, who cannot access the text website.
Colin McCall, disability and accessibility officer at Liverpool FC, said: "This event marked a very important milestone for the LDSA and it was fantastic to have Brendan and the LFC legends in attendance to help celebrate our 10th anniversary.
"We continue to make great progress for our members, both on a matchday, with regards to accessibility, and through our Liverpool FC Foundation programmes, which our members are greatly involved in."
For more information about the LDSA, its constitution and committee, minutes and forthcoming events, click here.