Sunday May 15th 

There are days when being a Liverpudlian is the greatest feeling in the World and Sunday the 15th May was one of them. I have had many amazing experiences following Liverpool Football Club but this stands alongside as one of the best. 

Being in the company of the passionate Liverpool supporters all around me is nothing new but this was some 6000 miles away from Anfield. I was the guest, sorry guest of honour of the Official Cape Town Liverpools Supporters Club, and it was a real honour being their guest.  

Since I wrote my book 'We had dreams and songs to sing' I have been fortunate to share the match watching experience with fellow Reds in the Isle of Man, Jersey, Gibraltar, Dubai and down in South Africa with the Reds of the Gauteng Supporters Club in Johannesburg. I am used to being treated well because of the minor celebrity status of a writer of our passion for LFC. I am not used to being treated like a King though and that is exactly what happened in Cape Town. A 'Scouser' was a massive pull I was told, but seeing is believing, it was amazing to see the Club Website and facebook page advertising my presence, me Keith Salmon a normal Liverpool fan from the working class suburbs of north Liverpool. Here I was on the verge of spending the afternoon in the company of others, who though I had never met I felt that with the warmth of the blossoming cyber relationship that it was destined to be a great day. 

Match day came and nursing a hangover from excessive enjoyment of the Capes hospitality I headed to Nicks Pool Bar on Voortrekker Road in Parow. Parow meant nothing to me really but others questioned why I should visit Parow from a cocooned existence in the leafy suburb of Newlands. I was lucky enough to have the services of  a local guy who would drive me to Parow and pick me up after the match. Well with no disrepect to anyone but Parow wasn't exactly Newlands and as I rocked up at NIcks bar I shifted slightly in my seat a touch uneasy due to the area and the look of the bar from outside, shuttered and barred on the ground floor with no obvious entrance my confidence was starting to falter.  

For all of 30 seconds until I saw my first Liverpool shirt and I was immediately at home.  

By the time I got to the bottom of the stairs to the side of the pool hall I had a warm welcoming committee in the shape of Riccardo and Lorin, my initial contacts through the power on the Internet. As we entered the Pool Hall there was no denying I was in Africa, a truly multi cultural experience it certainly was and that was exactly what I wanted. Threre was one overiding colour and that was the Red of Liverpool, skin colour just did not matter in this little corner of Cape Town it was all about beinga  Red. Every new face was introduced to me, and constant apologising for pulling me all over the place for pictures was ceratinly not required, it was an absolute joy. Now I know how Stevie G feels. 

After an hour of meeting and greeting many fans kick off time was approaching fast and a smile broke accross my face as the first bars of Gerry Marsdens 'You'll Never Walk Alone' filled the air followed by the throaty roar of 50 Reds, now let me tell you I have sung some special versions of our anthem but this will stay with me forever. the hairs on the back of my neck bristled and I swear I was transported 6000 miles to my seat on the Kop. I looked around the bar covered in Reds memorobillia and realised just how lucky I am. I have lived your dream for 40 years and now I was experiencing the passion that my team, my Liverpool, my first love, my whole life at one point, I was feeling what people feel from such a distance and I was truly humbled. Many Liverpool fans do not realise the strength of feeling the Liver Bird instills in people. The big thing about foreign Liverpool fans is that they try to live the way we live and support our team in the way it should be supported in a sportsmanlike but still fanatical way. 

Well what about the 90 minutes? Well the most forgettable part of the day was the performance that the Mighty Reds gave against Spurs, beaten by a better team on the day (and the normal Howard Webb decision making). I was willing Liverpool to score one goal at least, just so I could see my little adopted corner of South Africa explode into life, and I am sure it would have exploded. Howard Web  put his whistle to his lips and signalled the end of the game and the end of my African adventure. It was time to head back to business Cape Town and onwards to Joburg the following day. I said my goodbyes with a heavy heart and as I crossed Voortrekker Road the sound of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' boomed, yes boomed over the road and into the darkness of the Cape Town night. I smiled to myself and said to my driver "thats what it is all about tell me another teams supporters who would fiercely support their team like that". I didnt wait for an answer because there is not one, we stand alone but never ever walk alone. I want to thanks all the Reds of Cape Town for the experience of a lifetime and long live the Mother City Reds. 

South Africa May 2010 for Hull City Away (6000 miles away)

Who needs to win a pointless game to have fun!

Looking for Mandela and Tutu to give us some inspiration in the year ahead!

Dubai Reds April 2009

Whilst visiting Dubai for work I took the opportunity to spend an evening with the local supporters club 'the Dubai Reds' to share an evening of passion watching the Mighty Reds. After a late arrival in Dubai the night before, keeping awake to watch the 11pm local time kick off was uppermost in my mind. Staying awake was never an issue as I was watching the 4-4 draw with Arsenal at Anfield and there was not a chance to blink never mind close your eyes to doze.

The Dubai Reds meet in their own designated area in the Underground bar in the 5 star Habtoor Grand near Dubai Marina. At £6 a pint it had better be good, and it was. A good 50 or 60 Liverpool supporters made enough noise to make Anfield proud. If you are ever in Dubai make the effort to get there the boys are very welcoming.

After a nerve shattering 90 minutes and a last minute equaliser that may still pay great dividends it was time to head back to my hotel 30 minutes away. In the company of the Dubai Reds I had another great night in a foriegn land. Special thanks for a great night go to Russell and Bob who run the club and to Dave and Mick my drinking partners for the evening.

Below under the Shankly Statue in my complimentary Dubai Red's T-shirt.

Johannesburg South Africa October 2008

One of the great things about my job is that I get to travel to such wonderful destinations as South Africa. In October my trip to Johannesburg clashed with Liverpools trip to Madrid to play Athletico. Now thats where I would have been if I wasn't away working, so the next best thing was to meet up with the Gauteng supporters club.

In a rather large sports bar in the suburb of EdenVale I met up with members of the club who were very hospitable and I thoroughly enjoyed the game with around 80 Reds fans. The shout of 'Annie Road, Annie Road give us a  song' was a particular highlight from Dave, an expat from Old Swan.  The club has 400 members with only a couple of Scouse expats (Dave and Al).

I would like to say a particular thank you to Elli Lechtman the Chairman of the Gauteng Supporters Club for the invitation to join them. The one thing that really shone through for me was the pasion for the Reds, it was like being in the Albert before kick off with thirty Liverpool shirts bearing the number 8 and the name Gerrard, not to be outdone though were the Ferando Torres shirts.

Check out the photo below, your author, Dave, Alan and Neil of the Gauteng (Johannesburg) Supporters Club.

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I am looking to visit more supporters clubs on my travels, give me a shout and let me know where you are it would be great to have a pint watching the match.