Guest blogAdam F: Liverpool FC is in my blood - my uncle knew Bill Shankly

I was born in Liverpool, at the Oxford Street Maternity Hospital next to the cathedral.

I lived between the Old Swan and The Rocket at 10 Oakhill Park with my mum and dad, around the corner from 54 Broad Green Road, where my grandparents and uncle lived.

My uncle was Rory Storm (of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes), and Ringo Starr was his drummer before he joined The Beatles. John, Paul, Ringo, George and many other artists frequently visited 54 Broad Green (known as Stormsville). My nanna’s house became the go-to hub after gigs at the legendary Cavern.

Liverpool FC used to train at Melwood and my Uncle Rory often went to watch them in training and put a large photo of himself training with the team on his wall at home. He was the captain of the Mersey Beat XI football team and organised charity matches against Liverpool FC, often with my grandfather as the goalkeeper.

Bill Shankly was a friend of his, and they often arranged five-a-side kickabouts with the squad. Ian St John and big Ron Yeats were his favourites. My Uncle Rory never missed a Liverpool match if he was in the country.

My early years were filled with football and music and I know both played a significant role in my love and connection to Liverpool FC and music. Both are now my life and in my blood. We moved down south when I was still young and at my school nobody supported Liverpool – nobody but me! It was a golden era for the club, earning an abundance of silverware.

The first Liverpool game I attended was a very special affair at Wembley in 1979, the Charity Shield against Arsenal, where I experienced the triumph of a live Liverpool win, 3-1.

I rarely miss a game no matter where I’m at in the world and whenever a game is on I always text my mum, and my late friend Steve, whom I still message even though he is no longer here. I go to Anfield as often as I can get a ticket and I’ve been on the LFC season ticket waiting list for over 20 years. (If anyone can put a word in please?!)

It’s the start of a new era for the club. Arne Slot has replaced Jürgen Klopp as manager but it’s clear he’s adjusted quickly to English football. Klopp had so much charisma and success and anyone who has been at the club for nine years is going to be hard to replace. My feelings on Slot are that, technically, he is very good. He’s also maybe a bit more ruthless than Klopp too, in terms of his no-nonsense approach to man-management.

There’s kind of a tradition with Dutch managers coming into the Premier League and finding it quite a challenging transition, but I think Slot is different, working hard to silence any doubters. He has the players, the fans, the belief and the hunger – that’s all we need!

YNWA – You’ll Never Walk Alone

Adam F’s new album, Colours Revisited, is available to pre-order on limited-edition coloured LP vinyl and special double CD featuring exclusive live performances of the album. And stream new single Jaxx Revisited now.

Find out more via Instagram, Bandcamp, Spotify and Adam F’s official website.