Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Chinese Fans Share LFC Dream

Having previously reported on the legacy LFC is leaving in China by sponsoring the build of a home for a low income family, Regeneration Director Andrea Titterington now reports on the arrival on Merseyside of a special flag created by our Chinese fans.

A highlight of the Liverpool Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo was the chance for thousands of LFC fans to get closer to the Club they love.

On "Liverpool Day" a group of fans, including many from the Shanghai Liverpool Supporters Club, spent over five hours at the Pavilion gathering signatures on a flag that asks for a visit of the LFC team to China.

They were a happy crowd in their LFC kit at the Gala Concert in the evening of a day that saw over one million visitors to the Expo. They even got Leader of Liverpool Councillor, Joe Anderson, a staunch Evertonian, and Lord Mayor Helen Williams, to sign their flag petition.

Meeting Jessie Lu, of the Shanghai Supporters Club, on Heritage Day, I was given another flag. This one says "Vast as China Mainland Sky, Long-Waited as China Mainland Kop...." "China-LFC Supporters' Union."

This flag - shown above being handed over to Stephen Done, Curator and Archivist at Anfield - has made a marathon journey called "Relay dream - LFC Come to China, Please."

Starting on 27th July 2007, Jessie has taken the flag to most of the major cities of China: Hong Kong - Guangzhou (Guangdong) - Sichuan - Chong qing - Hunan - Guangxi - Zhejiang - Jiangsu - Fujian - Xi'an (Shaanxi) - Shenzhen (Guangdong) - Beijing - Tianjin - Anhui - Shanghai - Liaoning. That includes 15 provinces. The flag even appeared at Anfield before going back to China. Hundreds of Chinese "Kopites" have signed the flag.

Jessie Lu says that she has a task, a dream, which the flag will go to LFC so that the Club will know the hopes of Chinese fans.

Having completed its marathon journey and arrived safely at Anfield, it will soon be on display in the Liverpool Museum.

No comments: