Supporters of Premier League giants Liverpool, many of whom are no longer able to afford to watch their heroes, have formed a breakaway club.
AFC Liverpool are the latest 'fans' club to emerge following the successful launches of AFC Wimbledon in 2002 and FC United of Manchester three years later.
AFC Liverpool, however, is distinct from the other two in so far as in Wimbledon's case the supporters were implacably opposed to the relocation of their club, and followers of Manchester United were implacably opposed to the purchase of the club by the Glazer family. In Liverpool's case it is primarily a question of money.
The new club's spokesman Alun Parry explained: "This has nothing to do with the ownership issue, it's about affordability. I've been going to Anfield since the late Seventies when I was six years old. A season ticket in the Kop cost £45 in 1985, today it's £650, which I know is a lot cheaper than some other Premier League clubs, but in inflation terms Eighties prices should equate to £98 today.
"We aren't blaming the club, we realise they have no choice, but the sad fact is that a whole community is being denied the opportunity to grow up in the 'match-going' culture. The average age of a Premier League supporter is now 43. At a recent game I spotted only two children, so kids who can't afford to go are forced to learn what it means to support a club from one source - television."
AFC Liverpool will be run along the same lines as other supporter-owned clubs. Everyone can buy into it and get an equal vote. Like AFC Wimbledon and FC United, the new club will be a non-profit organisation.
Parry said: "Far from wishing to be estranged from the club, we are hoping that Liverpool will look upon us as a little brother."
So far AFC Liverpool have acquired more than 200 members, however up to 1,000 emails have been received supporting the idea.
The club have applied to the Vodkat North West Counties League Division Two to enter a team for the start of the 2008-09 season. Last week AFC Liverpool released an advert seeking a manager for the new non-League club, applications for which will close on March 31. They have also put out a call for players and, according to Parry, there has been a huge response.
"We are planning to launch a youth system with FA qualified coaches which will be of benefit to the community and to further the aims of AFC Liverpool," he said.
There are plenty of non-League clubs in the North West who would dearly love the extra revenue but as Parry explained: "By creating a team with an explicit LFC identity it gives us a club that we can collectively own and have a reason to support.
"If there are any ex-Reds out there who would like to manage us or play for us, we would be delighted."
AFC Liverpool are the latest 'fans' club to emerge following the successful launches of AFC Wimbledon in 2002 and FC United of Manchester three years later.
AFC Liverpool, however, is distinct from the other two in so far as in Wimbledon's case the supporters were implacably opposed to the relocation of their club, and followers of Manchester United were implacably opposed to the purchase of the club by the Glazer family. In Liverpool's case it is primarily a question of money.
The new club's spokesman Alun Parry explained: "This has nothing to do with the ownership issue, it's about affordability. I've been going to Anfield since the late Seventies when I was six years old. A season ticket in the Kop cost £45 in 1985, today it's £650, which I know is a lot cheaper than some other Premier League clubs, but in inflation terms Eighties prices should equate to £98 today.
"We aren't blaming the club, we realise they have no choice, but the sad fact is that a whole community is being denied the opportunity to grow up in the 'match-going' culture. The average age of a Premier League supporter is now 43. At a recent game I spotted only two children, so kids who can't afford to go are forced to learn what it means to support a club from one source - television."
AFC Liverpool will be run along the same lines as other supporter-owned clubs. Everyone can buy into it and get an equal vote. Like AFC Wimbledon and FC United, the new club will be a non-profit organisation.
Parry said: "Far from wishing to be estranged from the club, we are hoping that Liverpool will look upon us as a little brother."
So far AFC Liverpool have acquired more than 200 members, however up to 1,000 emails have been received supporting the idea.
The club have applied to the Vodkat North West Counties League Division Two to enter a team for the start of the 2008-09 season. Last week AFC Liverpool released an advert seeking a manager for the new non-League club, applications for which will close on March 31. They have also put out a call for players and, according to Parry, there has been a huge response.
"We are planning to launch a youth system with FA qualified coaches which will be of benefit to the community and to further the aims of AFC Liverpool," he said.
There are plenty of non-League clubs in the North West who would dearly love the extra revenue but as Parry explained: "By creating a team with an explicit LFC identity it gives us a club that we can collectively own and have a reason to support.
"If there are any ex-Reds out there who would like to manage us or play for us, we would be delighted."
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