Free video: 'A Lad from Huyton'
Nine years to the day since the momentous 2006 FA Cup final, Liverpudlian writer and lifelong Red Dave Kirby has released a video of his previously unseen poem, 'A Lad from Huyton'.
The playwright hopes that the joint-production with LFCTV will prove a fitting tribute to Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, as he nears the end of his incredible Anfield career.
He said: “After King Kenny I never thought I’d see another world class genius and legendary leader who embodies the football club both on and off the field. But from 1998 a young lad from Huyton set about changing that.
"The success and joy Stevie has brought us during the last 17 years will live long in our memories. Istanbul will obviously always be right up there, as will the treble-winning year of 2001.
"But in 2006, in Cardiff, we witnessed the ultimate performance from a true genius to claim our seventh FA Cup. I grew up hearing stories about the legendary Sir Stanley Matthews and the 1953 FA Cup final that was named after him. I didn’t know back then that one day I’d be privileged to witness what’s now become known as 'The Gerrard Final'."
Kirby first wrote the poem back in 2010 but it has remained under wraps – from the public at least – until today. As he explained: “When Stevie was out injured a few years ago, as one of the LFC family, I decided to lift his spirits by writing a piece for him called 'A Lad from Huyton'. LFC TV got the piece framed for me and I dropped it off at Melwood. Stevie rang me later and was truly made up with it. Until now only myself, Stevie and LFC TV had seen the piece.
"Then recently I met LFC TV with the view of sharing the piece with our extended global LFC family with visuals and music accompanying me narrating the words, similar to the piece we made in 2012 entitled: 'Footsteps of our Fathers'. The result is 'A Lad from Huyton'. I know Stevie will love it and we intend to present him & his family with copies.
"Watching Stevie over the past 17 years has been a privilege and honour. I just hope that one day a certain ‘lad from Huyton’ returns to the club just like his idol King Kenny.”
You can watch the video of the poem for free below:
A LAD FROM HUYTON
Liverpool FC have seen great days
In FA Cup finals that have blown us away
Rushie – Keegan - Ian St John
Or little Michael Owen in 2001
But in 2006 we witnessed a dream
As a special player entered the scene
A player who’s become an all-time great
A lad from a Liverpool council estate
Sometimes it’s hard to put into words
When something magical has occurred
At the time...you don’t realise
That history’s unfolding before your eyes
But down in Cardiff one sunny day
History was made in a special way
Like the Matthews final in 53
2006 was the final...of Stevie G
We’ve seen some great players in our time
Players who go beyond that line
The type that never try to hide
The type who play with fire and pride
That kind of passion just can’t be bought
It can’t be coached and it can’t be taught
It’s working class – it’s raw – it’s mean
It’s a lad from Huyton...who loves his team
We didn’t think we were gonna win it
We even said a prayer in that last minute
Then a saviour came and set us free
A saviour by the name...of Stevie G
It was like a vision from a dream
One of the finest goals we’ve ever seen
We felt as though we were floating away
We knew from that moment, it was our day
Cometh the hour cometh the man
Cometh the life-long Liverpool fan
Cometh the kid who once stood on the kop
Cometh our seventh...FA Cup
In years to come we’ll always look back
To those times in Cardiff, the laughs, the crack
Four major trophies...great city, great buzz
The Millennium stadium was good to us
But of all those times, there’s one special day
2006...the 13th of May
The most complete performance ever seen
By a lad from Huyton...who reigns...supreme
Dave Kirby - @davekirby01