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95,000 stood arm in arm and sent chills through the spines of billions as the Liverpool faithful sung in unison ‘You’ll never walk alone’ in a moment that was so touching that it could only be described as ‘soul stillness’.
Time stood still around that moment and it was the only thing that mattered.
It embodied how football is not merely a game, but the epitome of life, in that it can capture moments and cast them into your being as unforgettable.
Whether it be the good, the bad, or the right out ugly, it gets you deep, and how profound its meaning is is the fact it often moves you without a ball even being kicked in anger.
This was an example of the truly pristine, a great tribute to Liverpool FC and an inspiration to us all.
Rivalling this in its emotion, but differing in its circumstance, is a tribute that is about to end.
It was the tear-jerking, standing round of applause that rang around Villa Park in tribute of fan favourite and team captain Stiliyan Petrov – ‘Stan’ – who had been struck down by Leukaemia.
Few of the many new fans attracted to the EPL will know of Petrov or even the stature of Aston Villa as a club.
This is a team that was seen as the biggest in the English game a generation ago, with a trophy chest full of titles, including a memorable European Cup win over Bayern Munich in 1982.
To put our past status in context, when Alex Ferguson chose to manage Manchester United in 1986, there was talk of a very cheeky offer coming from Villa for his services.
Symbolically at the time of that decision, both clubs were locked on the amount of first division titles won.
Back to the tribute. The Villa crowd rose on the 19th minute – in honour of Stan’s number – with the chanting of his name and singing his tribute songs.
And when this translated to away games, where the Villa faithful would rise on the 19th minute and applaud, to be supported by the home fans, well in a league that has been so remarked on because of its tribal flaws in supporters, this gave you chicken skin.
It really struck me, when I ventured to the Hawthorns, the home of a hated local rival in West Bromwich Albion, and I thought the years of hatred would be captured in the silence of that moment from their fans, but even they joined in.
In that moment, it just showed how football can indeed divide, but it can bring together in such a profound manner.
Thankfully, Petrov has now been blessed with going into remission and in response to the support, these were his words
“The fans have shown me so much love, support and respect and I will hold this forever in my heart but we all have to move on and I have no problem with this.
“I know they will always be beside me, they’re with me and I’m in their thoughts. That’s a precious and very humbling thing.
“When I went through the toughest times they stood beside me and I’ll never forget this.”
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