Anfield's unique tradition of applauding opposition goalkeepers

Anfield's Kop crowd applauds opposing goalkeepers as they take up their place in goal, usually for the second half.
We spoke to three Liverpool FC historians to get their views on when the tradition started.
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[@deathofcommonsense]

I'm in my seventies and my recollection is it starting with Gordon Banks and Shankly allowing him to enter the pitch before the teams in order the fans applauded him for his England games.

[@alanjones6359]

Years ago somebody on the kop chucked a bottle at joe Corrigan hit him on the head the kop went silent till they started chanting get the bastard out - the bastard was singled out and handed over to the police - whole of anfield was shocked - joe was able to carry on and was supported and cheered by the kop hope that bastard got a lifetime ban

[@darklord1134]

1981

[@AFMakers]

Proud to share the same name as Joe Corrigan despite him playing for City 😂

[@alanjones6359]

@@AFMakers - well in joe !!

[@darganx]

Shit goalie coach though.. always thought we should have got Clemence back in the 90s, David James would have had better concentration I reckon.

[@impulsesystems]

This happened when LFC played Celtic in the 1960s too. So my dad told me!

[@splendidhuman]

My first visit to Anfield was that Leicester City game in August 1966. The ovation Gordon Banks received from the Spion Kop was absolutely astonishing and quite moving.

[@Loganwolfen]

My first game was v Leicester as well. I think we lost 2-1 and Lineker scored a pen

[@dilksjoel]

My 1st game was 1966 World Cup final. My only ever game

[@jacobmilner9290]

Joel Dilks yeah i remember seeing you there

[@EJE11]

@@dilksjoel not a bad first game to go to mind tbf 😂

[@petersmith4202]

To play against liverpool is one thing but to play for liverpool is everything

[@MOGGS1942]

Noel Dwyer, 1964, when Swansea Town who were in the old Second Division, beat the mighty Liverpool at Anfield in the sixth round of the FA Cup. Dwyer almost single handedly won the game for Swansea, who eventually won 2-1. The crowd gave him a standing ovation.

[@SJSpode114]

Remember seeing Ray Clemence return to Anfield with Spurs and getting a great welcome from the Kop. ⚽️😎

[@MrSydneyGeary]

Liverpool is not the only club with this admirable tradition. I've seen it at many grounds.

[@Dan-tw5qb]

Villa's version is best If Villa have to kick to the Holte in the first half everyone boos the keeper and calls him a wanker It's very wholesome

[@MultiRibrob]

Good for you

[@Dan-tw5qb]

MultiRibrob bit uncalled for that

[@MultiRibrob]

Dan ye mas a slag

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Liverpool fans started it and always did it the best even when they are losing.

[@louispks]

I have seen and heard when Leeds played at Anfield in 1969 Leeds effectively won the league that day. And Gary Sprake was outstanding that night and he was given a massive ovation by the whole of Anfield.

[@y1521t21b5]

2:33 The most memorable one in recent times is Casillas. Moving stuff! _YNWA_

[@alanjones6359]

Went to a testimonial at anfield Gordon Banks in goal with one eye - finished playing at the time but guest appearance got fantastic ovation from the kop singing Banksy we love you

[@HUGHWON]

When I was younger I went to a Manchester United v Liverpool game, when the Liverpool keeper took his place in goal at the Stretford End he got hell yet when United's keeper who I think was Gary Bailey took his place at the other end where the liverpool fans were gathered the liverpool fans were clapping him, this baffled me but I always remember it and has a Manchester United supporter it's hard for me to say I had a bit of respect for those liverpool fans that they could clap the United keeper after the United supporters had just given their own keeper hell

[@fudgy261]

Reception for Casillas from Madrid was great

[@michaellunt4018]

Dave Ball was one of my teachers at school in the late 80's early 90's. We had Ronnie Whelan come and do guess the sportsman one time. Happy memories.

[@Charlieb82]

As others have said - definitely not unique. We still do that at St James' Park and have done for at least the 33 years I've been going to the games....

[@kramsilverbridge1242]

Yous didn't clap pickford, or Vito, or costel

[@Charlieb82]

@@kramsilverbridge1242 Well of course, they're all mackems! Clapped Pickford after his errors last season tho 😂 apart from Sunderland players we clap for everyone else...

[@garylouk8776]

Rhys Sewell of course not we abuse the opposition goalie and make them crumble like Pickford has done many times at st James’ the Mackey scum. But we applaud our keeper every single game and chant their names at every game. Best fans in England by a mile us geordie boys

[@yeeecourse216]

@@garylouk8776 haha u wish

[@Charlieb82]

@STAR OF DAVID67 at the minute that's too true 😭

[@connienail4013]

I'm here for the "knowledgeable fans", "touch of class", "good bit of business, that" comments.

[@facethetruth9843]

I was at anfield last time city won there about 2003 I think. Peter schmiechel was in nets for us and yes he got a great reception..fair play to the kop

[@Mark13091961]

Always loved this Anfield tradition

[@johnquinn6442]

The Kop use to give the great Pat Jennings a fantastic reception every time he played at Anfield Jennings would always play a magnificent game saved two penalties in 1973 from Kevin Keegan and Tommy Smith...... The Great Bill Shankly said he had hands like shovels...... Respect to Jennings... Respect to the Kop they were and still are what real fans are all about

[@paulwood8987]

We used to do this at Upton Park back in the 80s especially.. Bloody neville Southall always used to play a blinder against us

[@BULLY-xc9vq]

Liverpool taking credit for something most teams do

[@krusty23]

I thought the same as soon as I saw this. Haha and so true about Southall. :)

[@mrlister2000]

To be fair Paul, Southall had a blinder against every team! World Class keeper, and my claim to fame is I trained with him just before he broke into the Everton first team!

[@seehispugnosedface]

Martin Kulkarni calm down

[@danmiley8904]

Martin Kulkarni why you so angry Martin m8

[@WS-1]

Great story about Gordon Banks - true legend of English football .

[@danstone6871]

Been going to Fulham since 1974, Hammersmith End has always applauded opposition keepers. Nice thing to do, but not unique. Nice when the keeper responds. Ps, stay safe everyone.

[@karthikdesai5061]

Well actually we didn't applaud alisson when he played against us in the semifinals

[@anuvette]

Why

[@tipperary1082]

@@anuvette Racism

[@gamingknowledge7729]

Tipperary ? 😂

[@pauladshead1717]

Another Liverpool tradition is wrecking the opposition team coach ! Salt of the earth Liverpool fans.

[@darganx]

@@pauladshead1717 probably got that from City fans.

[@markness7543]

I remember Paul Cooper getting a standing ovation from the kop , such a great goalkeeper for Ipswich Town in the days when they were a wonderful team . Miss Ipswich town in premier League. If it wasn't for Forest, Liverpool or Villa I would have loved you to win the league . Great team great players .

[@grahamjones4294]

For those who go far enough back, I would suggest that the first goalkeeper being applauded at the Anfield was Bert Trautmann

[@freddielaker2]

that would be the woolybacks from St.Helens then lol

[@tone83878]

Is that the goalkeeper who broke his neck during the cup final.

[@michaelthornhill9047]

This has always happened at Sunderland as well, I assumed all clubs done it tbh

[@huytonred3423]

Michael Thornhill not any London clubs mate they boo there own players that lot

[@phuctrinh2589]

I dont recall seeing that many on the Lights' stands

[@nikoilves3182]

@@huytonred3423 well thats not true i have seen Chelsea doing that 4-6times this season and Arsenal couple of times not sure about Spurs

[@huytonred3423]

NK4ILVES how many games have u played at home lad 4-6 times ye?

[@rodneyallister9877]

Hi I am 79.i was a keeper love the game A good keeper was worth 20 goals a season Keeping goal you would control your defence good days 👍

[@willcorlett7630]

Apart from the obvious big names, my favourite was John Burridge. he would come out early and do this outrageous warm up routine before the game at the Kop end. he was guaranteed a warm reception when he came on for real.

[@peterbrewer1822]

I saw the game against Leeds on a snow covered pitch when Sprake threw the ball into his own net at the Kop end. First half. He was even consoled by the Liverpool players.

[@malp78]

I was a 15 year old Kopite at the time. I immediately went mental after Sprake's mistake jumping up and down and screaming my head off. All the surrounding older regulars looked at me as if I had gone mad. Of course within a couple of seconds the Ref had pointed to the centre circle and the whole ground went potty. As a result of this incident and my lightning response I was elevated from an uneducated "kid" to a whole new status by the surrounding regulars.

[@andysmith5997]

One of the worst grounds to go to as an away fan in the 70s. Liverpool’s perpetual reinventions of themselves of the guardians of all that is good and pure never ceases to amaze

[@jamiewise7821]

Liverpool fans are some of the best fans in the world.. And im an Arsenal fan hahaha

[@Mod-rw9cw]

Most clubs do this so it's a not unique to Anfield.We always do it at Sunderland and have done for years and years.

[@samjones5160]

@Skellieonabench lol

[@phuctrinh2589]

Yeah Sunderland. Empiter than emptihad

[@Mod-rw9cw]

Skellieonabench 😷

[@firstnamesurname955]

Sunderland isn't a club tho is it. A joke yes. But definitely not a club

[@vsmicer]

First one I remember was Jim Furnell, ex Liverpool keeper during the early Shankly years who signed for Arsenal. Big Jim was a popular figure at Anfield and got a proper round of applause on his first game back after being sold in November 1963. That return to Anfield was on 18 April 1964, just 5 months later, which Liverpool won 5-0, clinching the league title under Shankly for the first time in the modern era.

[@speedking7224]

Similar treatment for ray clemence. Jolly Good show by Liverpool fans 👏

[@hlambourne3847]

Done that at Oxford in the 80's, I still do, most don't.

[@darganx]

The first time in my memory was the return of Ray Clemence for Spurs on the last day of the 81/82 season.. returned the favour by letting a couple in!!

[@johndempsey1873]

Your spot on mate I was there when shanks brought Banks around the ground. The next game was indeed against Leicester and was the start of this formality.

[@marknewbold2583]

Do it at a lot of grounds and always have

[@petersingh354]

Im a West Ham fan of 40 years and we always use to clap the opposition goalkeeper at Upton Park in the 80's.

[@nonnayoubuzinnes1669]

We also used to applaud the away team bus after games but sadly our newer, dare I say, fans from outside the city, don't know this tradition and it seems to have died out

[@conorgilsenan3821]

Because we have respect. Simple as

[@nickmullerITFC78]

GREAT VIDEO ENJOYED IT

[@vishalravindran2266]

That is respect of good football we proud

[@studio-flash]

That's why Liverpool have the best fans, knowledgeable, witty.

[@AnupKumar-ru7gk]

Yeah the same fans blamed the whole loss of real Madrid on karius, made fun of him and ruined his career and now against atleti one mistake from Adrian and you say whole game lost because of him, same thing gonna happen to him. You guys going to ruin his career. BEST FANS YEAH SURE

[@michaeljames8686]

Throwing cups of human shit on mufc fans and blocking the ambulance with Alan Smith inside with a broken leg. Educate yourself

[@barcabhoy7193]

You forgot murderers

[@Joshmmi]

Thieves and crackheads you mean..?

[@barcabhoy7193]

Tate mctate Heysels

[@michaelking9772]

Butterfingers every one of them..Stretford End used to give big Pat Jennings a rousing reception every time he played at Old Trafford.!!! Respect from all decent supporters is what it is.!!!!

[@matthewvaughan8192]

> Calls opposition goalkeepers butterfingers > Respecting opposing goalkeepers comes from decent supporters ------- Either you're not a decent supporter, or not very bright. Pick one.

[@dannykane3068]

I used to watch the EVERTON games from The Gwladys Street at Goodison Park end before the World Cup in 1966 and we always clapped the opposition goalkeeper before the game . From memory the traveling Everton fans to away games also did it because the majority of us went behind the goal.

[@robbiewright9145]

Ray Clemence got the greatest welcome lol

[@stuw4943]

We do this at The Hawthorn’s. Always nice to get a quick clap back from the away keeper.

[@andyjames8612]

Been doing that at Chelsea for years. Not a rapturous applause but a ripple, normally when the keeper comes out for the second half

[@studio-flash]

Gordon Banks, I remember ..not actually seeing him. In my time I remember Peter Shilton, Peter Schmeichel get a good reception.

[@ivorscrotumic3556]

I saw Banks play his last ever game at Anfield, for Stoke. :-)

[@jamsheadaziz3999]

You wouldn't get that same level of class and humility at Chelsea.

[@stevie1234]

I was unaware of this,, fucking class act tho.

[@Vasyla]

The Everton goalkeeper Gordon West nicknamed “handbag” by the Kop in the 60’s. As the Kop threw a handbag and he picked it up. I think it started then in the early 60’s

[@terrytt5067]

Gary - Careless Hands - Sprake! Music was to Eidelweiss if my memory serves me right! Excellent Goalie but like most in his trade he made some howlers haha!

[@paulmcdonough1093]

ha everton have been doing it for years apart from pickford we boo him

[@red4life848]

😂 That's funny Paul ✌️

[@RD85010]

Things like this is what makes Liverpool head and shoulders above all other clubs.up the CHAMPIONS

[@javimiami92]

What a peoples.

[@LeeOCGaming]

Boss 👍

[@user-wx3vb6cz9c]

I think it was gordon banks when he was at Leicester city he was producing world class saves every season we also clapped gordon west he zlso was given a handbag every year was there when kop sang cRless hands to gary sprake and ref stopped match as he was laughing so much roger kirkpatrick mr pickwi k was his nick name

[@Chris-construction]

Such a shame that the world stopped.

[@MrSpireite]

Hone of goalkeepers Chesterfield fc always have done this.

[@johnmccaig9727]

Used to go in The Boys Den ( The Monkey cage) in 1960, pretty certain The Kop clapped goalkeepers then.

[@mangofangoe315]

Liverpool has had some great goalkeepers - Adrian, Marius, Calamity James.

[@bobwoolerOriGinal]

Who's Marius?

[@billyclark7079]

@@bobwoolerOriGinal lol

[@togspeedy7224]

Super Marius?? The Italian plumber?

[@mangofangoe315]

You guys know I was talking about Marius 🤣🤣🤣

[@lfcgero35]

Marius lol classic luiguis's bother

[@Ajay-d]

What a club we support!

[@studio-flash]

And people are jealous of us.

[@phil2003ashleigh]

Best fans in the world and the funniest. Shilton got caught performing extra marital activities in his car the week before Cloughies Forest came to visit. Also Clemence had Informed England he was no longer interested in being picked. Shilton runs to the Kop and gets clapped and recognised for his outstanding abilities and the the Kop roared: England, Englands 69 Englands 69 !!! Shilton was in pleats of laughter and Cloughie and Taylor where in bulk. Brilliant. YNWA all who played and passed on x

[@gandalfm.student4756]

Its simple. The Kop applaud opposition keepers because they're nice.

[@stephendutton3332]

We've done it since day 1 has a respect for football

[@john_mckinney]

It is said that the people of Kent applauded Julius Caesar when he landed with his troops in Kent

[@gregoryho9307]

I applaud Lord Karius and Adrian. Pure entertainment.

[@jonnybeaver7900]

“friendly jeers if they don’t” (clap back). Aka “f*** off ye p***k” 😂😂

[@spoonunit03]

Anyone remember the chant, 'Gordon Banks-Chop Suey Roll!'..Totally un PC these days mind. Also, luckily for him, probably no fans at Anfield next time Jordan Pickford runs towards the Kop...

[@Northstander]

This isn't unique, the fans of loads of clubs do it. Best ovation I can remember was for a Hibs player, John "Yogi" Hughes, from Hearts fans when he was substituted at Tynecastle in his last Edinburgh derby...fair to say that the Hearts fans had been giving him a ribbing during the game, but when he left the pitch they gave him a standing ovation.

[@Jaza23]

Greenacres it’s not an end of game ovation. The kop do it when the keeper goes to tend it in the given half. Usually the second half. Standing ovation as a welcome not for a good performance. Even if the opposition is winning its done. Pretty sure that’s unique.

[@leighavfc2703]

@@Jaza23 Mate all clubs do it or have done it.. it's simply absolute bull that its "Unique" to Liverpool.... I mean this video is totally laughable how people can recall the first time its happened 🤣 Typical Liverpool!

[@Northstander]

@@Jaza23 Brighton fans used to do it when they played at the Goldstone Ground, although they left there in 1997 and I don't know if they carried on the tradition. I think anyone claiming that tradition for a particular club, whilst applauding the sporting nature of the gesture, is pushing it a bit.

[@OpenDoorEnglish]

This happens at pretty much every stadium.

[@badmasis]

That’s why we are Liverpool fc best club in world even we haven’t even win league since 30 years imagine what will happen when we won it soon

[@sillysod33]

Coronavirus: hold my beer ☹️

[@charcolew]

Swap "win" and "won"

[@paulmcdonough1093]

2-3 out you go

[@Clem_Fandango11]

Best at killing fans. No question.

[@hlambourne3847]

Kept my club out of Europe... Brilliant fans.. Yeah

[@blueboybobbiej]

They do this at Goodison as well, I've also seen it at Everton away games from the opposition. Hardly unique.

[@sergeantsilly5239]

I have never heard of them and my respect for them just shot up

[@nudgenudgewinkwink3212]

Remember david seaman getting a good reception after EURO96.

[@p.sandratangkulung6451]

i thought the kop was clapping our lads’ remarkable efforts

[@sayitasiseeit626]

YES, I agree it was when Shanks sent Gordon Banks out to get our applause that started it, and after that the Kop especially always applauded all goalies but Banks always got the biggest applause whenever he played at Anfield after that.

[@davidcaldwell6627]

Last few seasons, Ive noticed that the opposition goalkeepers don't acknowledge the applause they receive from the Kop, because they are foreign Goalkeepers, back in the 60s,70s.80,90, 00 most goalkeepers were British, and acknowledge the fact we applauded them. Sadly its dying off.

[@nickg2117]

Watford have been doing this for years. I’m 35 and they’ve been doing it since I’ve been going.

[@ThePope2003]

As a Newcastle fan we still got the best atmosphere in the league

[@tygeroar8254]

Such great Liverpool fans, unlike the toxic bunch these days

[@jamgooandyou]

I know, those toxic Liverpool fans nowadays are awful

[@TheWirralChannel]

Everyone does it

[@MyNameIsKhan25]

So your telling me the kop will clap Manchester United's David De Gea?

[@frankjenkins6627]

Portsmouth did it in the 60s.

[@ake9010]

This has happened at almost every ground I’ve been too. How is that unique?

[@bedrichroucek4713]

Did Oblak get applause?

[@Patchow]

What’s a kop?

[@dannyellis8030]

even bruce dropitla for a few quid got applauded at goodison

[@tonydeadman5772]

We have being doing that down the Lane for Years COYS

[@paulwilliams2663]

I remember the days when Bailey for utd was clapped.

[@No-jp5mu]

The Kop my Arse...

[@adamad7248]

Never seen them applaud de gea

[@peterpandaluki6663]

Then you haven’t attended many Liverpool games.

[@adamad7248]

@@peterpandaluki6663 season ticket at OT for 21 years and been to Liverpool for quite a lot of away matches. Anyway your name doesn't sound English sounds more polish so get of your high horse and support your local team

[@kamilchrostowski6842]

@@adamad7248 I can tell you that his name is not Polish, but even if it was he can support whatever team he likes, and what did you mean by getting off high horse

[@adamad7248]

@@kamilchrostowski6842 another Polish talking football you have 1 good player what does your country know about the game we invented🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@kamilchrostowski6842]

@@adamad7248 well my country doesn't have to be good in football for me to give my opinion, I also live in England right now.

[@roshanbhandari5170]

Please don't spray salt on our wounds by talking gks at this moment Let us get over the heroics of "OH BLOCK". I still feel like crying man. Damn that night . Ynwa😩.

[@lfcspectre4335]

Little Arm's Pickford couldn't give a clap to The Kop!

[@mohammadrasoulfard-habibi3066]

Bahaha 😆

[@jasonirwin2947]

😂😂😂

[@Metallic_Hydrogen]

He can't get his tiny arms to meet infront of his body in order to alow him to clap.

[@declanoshaughnessy917]

Literally most clubs do this but as per liverpool get the lime light

[@IsRight]

Tell you what if Karius ever played against us I’d clap him he single handily made us sign Alisson 👍🏽

[@7r3v0r]

shame he couldn't do anything else single handedly

[@rahulbala7]

It's because we're not too great at having good ones ourselves 👀

[@JonMears]

Its not unique we did this at Roker Park

[@vivaunited5480]

Oh Liverpool you are so unique and your feeling of togetherness is so heartwarming..... bore off!!

[@YoutubeUser..]

Interesting, didn't know this.

[@undieturd]

That's no surprise. Loads of clubs do it. This is the pool making themselves try to look special. Again.