Liverpool fans hit out at owners with alternative shirt

Liverpool fans have fought back against current club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett by releasing an alternative kit.

The shirt, created by the Save Liverpool FC group, is black and replaces Standard Chartered, the club’s new sponsor, with ‘Standards Corrupted’ in a protest at the way in which the two American tycoons are running the club.

The campaign comes shortly after fans proposed a boycott of all club merchandise in order to hit the owners in the pocket and force them closer to the exit door at Anfield.

Supporters who are unhappy at the way in which the club is run recently met in their thousands on 4 July at St Georges Hall as a part of an Independence Day Rally in which a number of famous musicians, local celebrities and ex-players showed their backing for the campaign to rid the club of its current owners.

Spirit of Shankly (SOS), the Liverpool Supporters Union, used the occasion to announce plans for their credit union scheme in which members can start saving in order to build capital which would be used to buy the club, or a percentage of it, should the opportunity arise.

“The rally was about declaring our independence from Hicks and Gillett and launching our supporter ownership scheme with the Credit Union,” Paul Gardner, SOS’s Community Officer told The Sport Review.

“It allowed us to once again express that Tom and George are not welcome here, but also look at something positive and look forward to what we can do and build on our past achievements.

“It was an enjoyable family day out and showed further what SOS can achieve.”

Gardner also spoke of the credit union scheme’s potential and how it can work to the benefit of supporters.

“The scheme allows fans to save towards a share in the club,” he continued.

“It is something that makes being able to raise the funds for a share more achievable as you can save whatever amount you can, whether it is £5 or £50.

“It also offers great safety in that the money remains yours until the day you sign it over for your share when the time comes to hopefully purchase a stake in the club.

“You can also use the Credit Union as a way of saving for your season ticket.

“It is a great option that makes a potential Liverpool share more accessible for all.”

For more information on Spirit of Shankly and the credit union, visit: www.spiritofshankly.com.