What are The Kopites?

Well as a proud Kopite myself, I think I’m more than qualified to tell you about them and me.

Liverpool FC are one of the most supported clubs around the world and the term “Kopites” is the name given to the supporters of Liverpool Football Club. Some say that it refers only to the fans who once stood, and now sit, on the Kop at Anfield but I tend to disagree with this definition slightly. I say it refers to all those fans and more, from all around the world, no matter whether they live in Liverpool, Halifax, New York or New South Wales. If you can show a true love for the club and the team, then you can say you’re a Kopite. It’s not only that, it’s also down how you see your relationship with club, its team and your fellow Kopites.

Do you live, breathe and love Liverpool FC?

A Kopite does all this and more! He or she has known disappointment by experiencing the bad times but not loved the club one degree less. A Kopite will spend up to 30 minutes a day, sometimes more, thinking about their club. They will be able to explain to the satisfaction of other fans why they support the club they do and finally they’ll be able to name the entire first team squad and be able to discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of their team.

Of course, it is true that the likes of some of the world’s top clubs get a huge boost in their supporters ranks after some of the success they’ve enjoyed.

Myself, I’ve watched the Redmen of Liverpool FC since I was around 10 years old, after returning home to England from living in South Africa for 5-6 years. One of my fondest memories is of my Uncle, a true Kopite to say the least, he was over the moon when the Redmen beat Sunderland 2-0 in the 1992 FA Cup Final. My Grandma, as she were from Sunderland, weren’t best pleased at the result but she forgave us in the end.

This bug continued to grow the more live games I watched with my Uncle, his enthusiasm for this team in red, whom I had no idea played only 62miles down the M62 Motorway from where we lived in Halifax, were infectious. From then on, I requested Liverpool football shirts and scarfs for birthdays etc. and I haven’t looked back since. I’d say 30 years of support makes me a Kopite although it has been more than difficult on and off since we won that FA Cup Final in ‘92.

Just because I didn’t and still don’t live in Liverpool doesn’t make me any less of a Kopite. I still have to explain myself to this day why I support them and not another team. I may only go to a few games a season, Anfield makes the hair on my neck stand up! But I still watch every game I possible can, either on TV or the internet. I Eat, Sleep and Breath Liverpool. I will always be a true Kopite.