Me, Liz, and Someone Named Ian

Right on track with this week of meeting friends and family in Liverpool, another LFC Seattle supporter came up to Liverpool to tour Anfield, visit the shop and meet up for the Seville game.
We took advice from several people and decided to watch the game at the Shankly Hotel. Seemed like a good idea, it would give us a chance to look at some of the memorabilia.

I got there early, wanting to be sure to snag a table. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If you want to watch a game at the Shankly, book a table for dinner well ahead of time. Yes, they do have lots of big screens and tables by the bar (3 small elevated tables and 6 stools), otherwise you need to be booked in for dinner. I was lucky to find one of the tables empty and in minutes another table using four of the stools emptied and I was perched up on one of them waiting for Liz.

Shorty before she arrived, a very pleasant looking man who I recognized came into the room and began working it. He was obviously expected by several different groups and wound up at a big table signing photos and posters. As he entered, I heard someone call him Ian.

We all know what Ian Rush looks like now, that one is easy. Ian Ayre has left us. That leaves Ian St John, Ian Callaghan, Ian Ross, and maybe a few more very ancient LFC Ians. Not having been a Liverpool supporter for donkey's years, I jumped to the wrong conclusion. I texted Liz "Ian St John is here!"

Long story short, it was a very disappointing evening. The game was a heartbreaker - enough said.

As 'Ian' walked around the room saying goodbye's and shaking hands, Liz and I followed his every move, neither of us quite brave enough to approach him. He put on his coat, glanced in our direction, then walked over and put out out his hand. We were thrilled! He asked where we were from, chatted a little, said his goodbye. and left.

Well, that was much too exciting to keep quiet about so we each texted several people..."I just shook hands with Ian St John...twice!", "I met Ian St John tonight!", and so on. How utterly embarrassing to find shortly thereafter that it was Ian Callaghan.

I have put it all behind me. I take full credit for the confusion - Liz was an innocent bystander.

I can say now, with some pride that I have shaken the hand of a man who played 857 times (the record) for Liverpool between 1960 and 1978. A man who played briefly for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and once played in Seattle (he told us that personally). A genuine Legend.

Ian Callaghan MBE...an acquaintance of mine.