Table Reservations
Posted on 17.12.2018
It is rumoured that the Liver Birds oversee separate sections of Liverpool. One looks inwards and watches over the locals, while the second statue stares outwards and watches over the Scouse sailors.
However, it is also rumoured that the two seabirds are an argumentative couple, facing away from each other because of an ongoing dispute. It is this fable that best epitomises Everton and Liverpool’s ongoing feud: Who has the largest claim to the Liver Birds? Everton or Liverpool.
Below, we’ve put forward our argument for Liverpool Football Club.
Liverpool is a city of two’s: two cathedrals, two tunnels and, in 1892, two football teams. Following the formation of the club which bores the name of the city, Liverpool Football Club adopted the Liver Bird as the team’s emblem and thus, a 126-year argument ensued.
The National Field newspaper wrote on September 19, 1892 – following Liverpool’s match with Bury – “A flag floated on the old staff, bearing the letters L.F.A surmounted with the Liver. Right proudly did it wave over the field of battle and seemed to beam on its patrons with a hopeful smile.” It seems that the “beaming” seabird was a constant fixture at Anfield – much like the banners that “wave over” the Kop today.
If any doubt or confusion remained about the seabird’s owners, when Liverpool were crowned champions for the third time in 1922, a new banner was unwound with the Liver Bird brazenly tacked in the centre even more ardently than before.
This presentation seemed like a premeditated plan to claim the civic emblem as their own and, in 1950, Liverpool began to use a club badge which featured a certain domestic seabird.
It was in the 1950 FA Cup Final when the Liver Bird first featured on Liverpool’s Spice Boy-esc white shirt.
The Liverpool badge has had various makeovers since then; in 1955 the monogram ‘LFC’ was added to the emblem. Then, in 1992, The Shankly Gates and the maxim “You’ll Never Walk Alone” were included. And finally, in 1993, two eternal flames were added in memory of the 96.
But, the one constant has always been the unchanged Liver Bird.
In November 2008, Liverpool Football Club unsuccessfully attempted to trademark the Liver Bird.
“The Liver Bird belongs to all the people of Liverpool, [it] is a symbol of the city,” said Flo Clucas, while a man from North Liverpool argued that the seabirds were a wider symbol of Liverpool and not Liverpool Football Club.
One of the rather more unusual arguments came from Keith Wilson, an Everton shareholder who attempted to “reclaim” the Liver Birds. Keith argued that the seabirds should be on both kits “because they’re both from Liverpool.” As one could imagine, this idea didn’t go down particularly well.
It is undeniable that the Liver Birds are Liverpool’s. However, when it comes to football, the Liver Bird is synonymous with Liverpool Football Club.
The Liver Bird is blazoned across the memorabilia covered walls of the unique Bastion Bar & Restaurant located within the Shankly Hotel.
The spectacular hotel is ideal for overnight stays, watching Liverpool matches and basking in and enjoying unseen memorabilia.
Sound exciting? Get in touch with our friendly team today by calling 0151 236 0166 or email reservations@shanklyhotel.com
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