Hundreds turn out for trials for AFC Liverpool

May 6 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

HUNDREDS of footballers hoping to play for the new AFC Liverpool were put through their paces yesterday at the team’s trials.

It was likely that holding the trials on a Bank Holiday Monday would weed out those lacking in commitment or passion.

So on a sunny May day around 300 players tried their hardest to impress at Buckley Hill Playing Fields in Netherton.

“This is the birth of something special, it is something that can really take off,” said club spokesman Alun Parry.

“AFC Liverpool has really struck a chord, and there is great potential for us to go flying through the leagues. How appropriate that we are setting this up in Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year.

“This is culture, art to many is the way someone passes the ball or caresses it down the wing.

“For many people this is what culture is all about.”

The club has not been set up to compete with Liverpool FC, but as a grassroots movement to offer those who cannot afford to watch the Premier League team an alternative, said Parry.

“It’s part of the same family, because the thing that is constant are the supporters.

“The only difference is that some can afford the prices at Anfield and some can’t”.

He said the standard of those that would eventually make the squad of about 18 players was very high.

“We knew that from the applications as there were many who had played at a higher level before.

“There are also people from Sunday league hoping to make the step up, there often are some diamonds there.”

The team hopes to play in the Vodkat League Division Two in the 2008/09 season.

Parry said he was pleased the club had secured the services of Derek Goulding who took Blue Square North team Burscough FC to national fame in the 2005/06 season.

Burscough defeated League One side Gillingham 3-2 in the FA Cup and were one match away from playing Manchester United, before being defeated by Burton Albion.

“It’s like having Martin O’Neill managing a League Two team,” added Parry.

Goulding, a plasterer by trade, has been out of management for about two years, but is hoping the team and his career can take off.

“If you are ambitious like myself you want something with a bit of meat on the bones that is tasty; with the LFC tradition there is a great opportunity here.”

The prospect of future success and what the club may become also attracted many to try out yesterday.

One such hopeful was Andy McCoy, 22, of Fazakerley, who plays on the wing for Runcorn FC (who compete in the next league up from the one AFC hope to enter).

The Evertonian said: “It could be very big, it would be great to be playing in front of lots of fans. That’s why I am here.”

davidbartlett@dailypost.co.uk