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LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB AN A-Z BY DARREN PHILLIPS
Review by David Pugh
AS a regular at Anfield for the last fifteen years and the owner of countless books and videos on the History of Liverpool FC I looked forward to reviewing a book that attempted to cover the history of Liverpool in A - Z format. As the most successful and colourful club in English football this is not an easy task and but sadly the author only achieves mixed results.
To include all the events and players in Liverpool's history would be virtually impossible and would leave you with a book too heavy to carry. In that only a certain ratio of the true history of the club and players could be lightly glossed over with important choices and subject matter.
In this it would appear that Phillips has made rather interesting and dichotomous choices - Some of which go from the bland to the ridiculous particularly with Paul Dalglish and Christian Ziege who seem less than fleeting and worthy of mention.
Confusing as this may be, dialogue and the flow of layers the author has attempted to create a worthy novel appear also wanting, yet rather overdeveloped in the same paradigm. Although accounts of truism of basic critique of most of the players and managers within the club, describing the personality and attitude of Neil Ruddock's professionalism as 'total' does yet more to confound and confuse. Often overlooking the pre-war players of Liverpool football clubs past in favour of name dropping today's has-been's.
There are a number of pointless topics leaving the author with little space to expand and explain the true spirit of Liverpool FC. Paul Dalglish seems to have been included - without ever playing for Liverpool - simply because he is Kenny's son, Christian Ziege and FC Zurich have been included for no other reason than their names begin with the letter Z although this is slightly more understandable than the puzzling sections on Tranmere Rovers and Christmas day.
The bond that Bill Shankly created with the club and its supporters is rarely captured and although I enjoyed the sections on Gerry Byrne who played on in a cup final with a broken collarbone and Brian Hall who turned up at Melwood in his bus drivers uniform often the descriptions of the players were too factual.
From here on in, the picture of a feigned Picasso appears as the book draws near it's end. Seemingly players such as Steven Gerard and Sami Hyppia- arguably worthy of mention - are omitted from this glazed bagel of the Liverpool story. In which the result is nothing short of a problematic book with a writer that has no real focus on the real history of the club.
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- March at the
Carling Academy
BUGGED Out! X Anniversary:- Part 1
Saturday 13th March 2004... 2manydj's ~ Erol Alkan ~ Zombie Nation (Live);
Reuben (Ladytron DJ) ~ Rob Bright ~ Brendan Long... Bugged Out celebrates their tenth anniversary year with Part 1 of three weekender parties.
With the first party taking place at Sankeys Soap in Manchester on March 12th, Bugged Out then hop foot it over to the Carling Academy Liverpool for the second installment - where 2manydj's, the ultimate party DJ's headline! The Belgian siblings garnered praise for their 2002 classic cut'n'paste compilation '2 Many DJ's' ....... as heard on Radio Soulwax, where Royksopp rubbed shoulders with Peaches and Dolly Parton! This is their first date in Liverpool since their legendary appearance at Bugged Out! last May - and is definitely one not to be missed! Joining them is their soul brother Erol Alkan, who is arguably one of the most entertaining DJ's around, and Reuben from Ladytron. Making his debut appearance is German techno star Zombie Nation, whose eponymous hit from 2000 is a much-loved Bugged Out anthem. All this alongside the original bugger Rob 'Da Guvnor' Bright and Ping Pong's Brendan Long!!
Come as you are! The full line-up:-
2manydj¹s, Erol Alkan, Zombie Nation (Live), Reuben (Ladytron DJ), Rob Bright, Brendan Long @ Carling Academy, 11-13 Hotham Street, Liverpool, L3 5UF
9.30 - 4am £13 NUS, £15 advance more on the door.
12 Mar, Stiff Little Fingers plus Special Guests £12.50adv @ Carling Academy, 11-13 Hotham Street, Liverpool.
12 Mar. X featuring Ed Rush, Baron, Futurebound, Sol & Xample, MC S and MC SAS. Doors 10pm, £7adv @ Carling Academy, 11-13 Hotham Street, Liverpool
13 Mar, 2ManyDJs featuring Erol Alkan, Ladytron Djs, Zombie Nation, Rob Bright, Brendan Long. Doors 10pm, £15adv @ Carling Academy, 11-13 Hotham Street, Liverpool.
18 Mar. The Famous Last Words, Adrenalin, Enemo J + Head of John, £3adv, @ Carling Academy, 11-13 Hotham Street, Liverpool.
20 Mar. The Mountaineers plus Guests. £6adv. @ Carling Academy, 11-13 Hotham Street, Liverpool.
22 Mar. Space plus Special Guests. £8adv. @ Carling Academy, 11-13 Hotham Street, Liverpool
23 Mar. The NME Britpack Tour featuring The 22-20's, The Cribs and The Ordinary Boys, £8adv @ Carling Academy, 11-13 Hotham Street, Liverpool
25 Mar. Hundred Reasons plus Biffy Clyro + Senses Fail, £12.50adv. @ Carling Academy, 11-13 Hotham Street, Liverpool
27 Mar. Dead Kennedys plus 4ft Fingers + Tiny Elvis only £12adv @ Carling Academy, 11-13 Hotham Street, Liverpool
30 Mar, D.R.I plus No Comply and Freaks Union… £8adv @ Carling Academy, 11-13 Hotham Street, Liverpool.
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