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The Kop

A Fan’s History of Football’s Most Famous Stand

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The Kop

By: Brian Reade
Narrated by: Brian Reade
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'The ultimate take on Liverpool's heart and soul' Jamie Carragher

This book examines, for the first time, how and why the Kop became the globally-renowned stand it is today.

It is told through the eyes of Brian Reade, an award-winning journalist, Sunday Times best-selling author and Anfield regular for 60 years, the majority spent on the Kop where he is still a season-ticket holder. In that time he has witnessed, and written about, all the highs and lows of Britain's most successful football club.

Reade traces the Kop's history back to the South African hill it was named after and unearths astonishing parallels between that 'acre of massacre' in which Merseyside soldiers were killed and the Hillsborough Disaster almost a century later.

He explores how the Kop invented mass terrace singing in the 1960s, elevated a Broadway number into a global anthem of solidarity, inspired some of European football's greatest-ever comebacks and was at the forefront of supporter protest against exploitation.

Featuring exclusive testimonials from key players, managers and fans from the past 60 years, The Kop is the definitive celebration of one of the most revered, and feared, spectator stands in world sport.©2026 Brian Reade (P)2026 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Football (American) Sports Sports History
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Critic reviews

Even if you are not a Liverpool aficionado, Reade's account of The Kop, the story behind its naming, its construction and subsequent spectator influence on matches plus social history makes interesting and informative reading for all football fans.
All stars
Most relevant
The history of The Kop was fascinating and the tales and insights of the author illuminating. Also, the narrative allowed me to relive my memories from when I started supporting The Reds in 1965. Thank you!

MEMORIES

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Brilliant account from Brian again. Glad it was him narrating as he is a great narrator as well as journalist. Can't wait for the next one. Highly recommend for any Liverpool fan

Golden nuggets of info

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This is a fantastic listen. Indepth and well researched. An interesting history of football and society from the late Victorian era to the present. Read with passion by the author

A Superb History of Football Culture

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