“One fan lay unconscious on the floor. Another was covered in blood. That was the scene as Liverpool fans ran the gauntlet of baton-wielding Italian police as they tried to enter the Olympic Stadium.
“Up to that point we had enjoyed a great two days enjoying the party atmosphere. Banners hung from hotel windows and Liverpool fans danced by the Trevi fountain. Rome was red-all-over...” - These are my words in the Liverpool Echo on February 15th 2001.
Valentines Day this week marked the tenth anniversary of one of the greatest experiences of my LFC supporting life.
A gang of us travelled to the Eternal City to see the Reds play in what was at that period – one of our biggest and most important European away games for years.
More than 4,500 fans went to the Eternal City inspired by tales of 77 and 84.
This was our chance to become part of history. Our chance to witness firsthand a win in Rome. The club had been through a trophy-less six years. But progression in Europe with a new manager and team – we had renewed hope and belief.
We’d won at Old Trafford a few weeks earlier and when we got back on the coach that day we’d been thrust leaflets advertising “European Football Special – AS Roma V Liverpool FC – 2 days/1 night £259.” Come the Monday morning we’d all signed up.
I had sleepless nights in the countdown to the trip: excitement, trepidation at facing Roma ultras, but total pride to be following the Reds to such a vital game. On the day itself our early morning cab picked up Kev at Bootle but his mother answered the door in a panic: “He’s still sound asleep!”
When we eventually gathered the troops we jetted off from Speke aboard flight BY843A. We were even more joyous when we bumped into pals Chris Maguire and Mike Nevin at 36,000 feet. We had no idea they were joining us.
What was even more amazing was Maguire's luggage or lack of it. For a two day trip he was armed with his toothbrush and a pair of bills. The king of travelling light. To this day if I travel anywhere I try to adopt the Maguire Mantra.
Rome was special. The scooters, the noise, the beauty, the Spanish Steps, the Irish bar “The Trinity”. We had a marvellous first evening bouncing between bars, hanging out at the Trevi and rounded things off with a meal down a side street.
Kev and Murph waltzed in a seedy dancing club. Murph ended up on stage.
Hungover, but buzzing, we repeated frolics come match day. There were Liverpool fans everywhere but a slight air of menace as scooter striding Romans hurled grave gestures our way.
Some Liverpool supporters spotted Murph: "It's the lad from the club last night! he was on the stage!" Laughs everywhere. To this day I'm not sure what Murph had done in that club that prompted such attention.
Our hotel, “Diana Roma” was the pre match booze point. A feeling of thrill was now turning to fear. We’d been warned to stay in groups, to not use the bridge by the stadium, to basically watch our backs.
Italian police had all LFC fans converge on the Villa Borghese – a huge park in the city. The police kept us holed up for hours. Frustrations grew as we wondered whether we’d get to the game at all. Finally we boarded coaches and were on our way.
A delay outside the stadium saw a few lads jump off the coach to make their way on foot to the ground. They were stabbed by Roma fans.
We got to the entrance minutes after kick off to find Italian police piling in batons raised. It was frightening.
Once inside – and two Michael Owen goals later – we were jumping for joy. The reds, in their golden kit tore Roma apart. We sang, we dodged missiles, the gladiators of Rome were victorious.
The police kept us locked in the stadium for a full 90 minutes after the game. But we were not too bothered – outside the ultras were busy setting fire to cars and rioting with police. We were safer inside.
We were eventually taken to the airport, dumped on a runway and told to board any plane. It was comical and tremendously great fun. Once home the sobering news was that more than 20 LFC fans had been stabbed. It was a miracle that no-one had died.
Despite the aggression, despite the hassle, the trip for us had been tremendous. Probably the best £259 I’ve ever spent.
Looking back, I feel that the victory itself was the launch for LFC to be great again. The treble was achieved three months later.
Amazingly I was back in Rome to see Liverpool play at the Olympico less than a year later. But we’ll leave that tale for another day...
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