FeatureWe Love You Liverpool: Meet Official LFC Supporters Club... Madrid
Liverpool FC has more than 300 Official LFC Supporters Clubs (OLSCs) across 100 countries worldwide.
The Reds' fanbase is famous for its passion and loyalty, cheering on both Jürgen Klopp and Matt Beard's squads whether on Merseyside or watching from afar.
Our We Love You Liverpool feature aims to bring supporters closer together to learn more about each other wherever they are based around the globe.
Whether in the UK and Republic of Ireland, on Merseyside itself, in North or South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia or elsewhere, fans provide the very foundations that the club is built on.
Here, we meet OLSC Madrid...
Firstly, can you introduce yourself - tell us a little a bit about who you are and where you are from…
My name is Amador, I was born in London, but my DNA is completely Spanish. I have been a Liverpool fan since I was seven years of age, when I watched the 1976 UEFA Cup final with my father, when we were living in Vitoria, a small city in the north of Spain.
Tell us about OLSC Madrid…
We have been watching matches together in the same pub since around 2000 or so. In 2006 we started talking about the idea of forming an OLSC and in 2008 we made it official. We have around 100 official members and at least another hundred supporters in the city who join us when they can.
How special is it to have a feel of 'Liverpool' despite being in Madrid?
For a Spanish boy, who spent his childhood and teenage years watching the games all alone, meeting other Spaniards and a lot of people from Liverpool with the same passion as you, it has been like winning the lottery. Also, the people from the city are so nice and have really helped to create the branch, along with my friends Simon and Neil, and it is one of the best things I have ever done in my life. We've been helped to continue growing as a club by friends - and to name just a few: Jose Pastor, Paul and Jackie.
Do you hold any special events throughout the season?
In addition to watching all the games together, we usually have two parties: a Christmas dinner and an end-of-season party. We also get together for charity events and occasional celebrations. We are like one big family.
What is so unique about being a Liverpool supporter for your members?
When a new Spanish member meets us and joins, they all tell us something very similar to the first thing I felt: "Amazing, there are more crazy Spanish Reds fans!" It's also great for young students from Liverpool, who come to work in Madrid, to find a lot of people with the same passion as them.
Why do you think Liverpool fans - no matter where they are from around the world - are so passionate and loyal to the club?
That's a good question. Surely it is the club that best represents the values that we would all like to see, not only in football, but in life. We are a club where everyone wins and everyone loses together, where everyone is important and where no-one is left behind. The motto You'll Never Walk Alone is perhaps the best in the world - no-one can beat that phrase.
How do you bring 'Anfield' to Madrid?
We always decorate the pub where we watch the games with all sorts of flags and banners and we sing songs to create an atmosphere as close to being a mini-Kop as possible.
Has the OLSC ever visited Anfield?
From the first moment we were official, and the club offered us tickets, we decided to go to Anfield with all the excitement in the world. The first time for each of us was an incredible experience - like being in a dream. The people are so friendly, so much so you feel like you've been going to the stadium your whole life. Now when we go, we make a pilgrimage to three places - Anfield, The Baltic Fleet and The Lobster Pot!
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How has it been to follow the club in recent history? There has been plenty to cheer about under Jürgen Klopp and Matt Beard…
For those of us who have been around for so many years and have lived through the dark times, the arrival of Jürgen Klopp has been a huge blessing. Not only for winning titles again, which of course is the most important thing. But his way of being, his way of speaking, his ideology - it fits perfectly with the philosophy of the club. We are also very proud of the women's team - women's football is very popular in Spain, and we were delighted when we were promoted last year. It's amazing what Matt and his team are achieving in their first season back in the WSL.
If anyone is interested in joining your OLSC, how would they go about doing so?
It's simple, just write to us, or fill in a form on our website. We open membership before every new season - but we still welcome non-members to join us whenever they're in Madrid.
OLSC info
Name: OLSC Madrid
Location: Madrid
Home bar: Triskel Tavern, San Vicente Ferrer, Madrid
Website: www.madridreds.com
Twitter: @MadridReds
Facebook: Madrid Reds
Instagram: OLSC Madrid
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