Liverpool tour: Famous anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ set for an encore at Suncorp

IN July 2009 when Scottish giants Celtic visited Suncorp Stadium to play the Brisbane Roar, the poignant tune You’ll Never Walk Alone was memorably sung by 31,000 fans.

Melbourne Victory v Liverpool FC at the MCG, Melbourne 24th July 2013,

IT IS going to be an encore that will be worth the six-year wait.

In July 2009 when Scottish giants Celtic visited Suncorp Stadium to play the Brisbane Roar, the poignant tune You’ll Never Walk Alone was memorably sung by 31,000 fans.

Hairs stood up on necks and tears even flowed as the Gerry and The Pacemakers hit, originally a show tune from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel, echoed around The Cauldron.

But when 20,000 more are added to the choir on Friday night when Liverpool take on the Roar at the same venue, it will be an even better experience and one those in attendance will never forget.

Arguments about who has greater claim to the song are endless between Celtic and Liverpool supporters, but there’s no doubt it is more synonymous with the Merseyside outfit.

Gerry and The Pacemakers hail from Liverpool, with the tradition of the club’s fans singing You’ll Never Walk Alone hailing back to the early 1960s.

“I’m obviously speaking with a little bit of bias here but I certainly think Liverpool fans are by far the best (at singing it). I think it’s Liverpool’s song,” said Reds legend Robbie Fowler, who was expecting a similarly spine-tingling rendition to the one which was produced by the Liverpool faithful two years ago when their team beat Melbourne Victory 2-0 at the MCG.

Scott McDonald in action for Celtic against the Roar in 2009.

“People at the club still talk about it and I’m probably expecting the same thing again.

“It’s an unbelievable song. The lyrics are very apt for all things football.’’

Just as exceptional is Liverpool’s global popularity.

Last year the Reds claimed they had a worldwide fan base of 580 million.

“I should be (surprised) but I’m not really because I’ve witnessed it on that many occasions all over the world,” Fowler said.

“Liverpool’s such a massive name everywhere. I don’t mean to sound egotistical in anyway but we are such a huge club.”

The former England striker and fellow Liverpool legend Ian Rush spoke to a host of fans at Thursday’s Big Issue football clinic at the Runcorn home of Souths United.

“It’s fantastic for us. We meet so many nice people. It’s an absolute privilege being here again,’’ Fowler said.

“No matter where we go, no matter who we see, everyone’s treated the same. We all love it.’’

Originally published as Liverpool tour: Famous anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ set for an encore at Suncorp