Peter, one of our Inspires participants on the day, was tasked with writing an article about the day as a journalism project. The below is Peters ‘press release’ from the event:

The LFC Foundation hosted a storytelling event at Anfield, bringing together school students, writers, musicians, and former players to celebrate the theme of “Belonging” and create a special occasion for students interested in journalism and creative writing. The day was filled with insights, stories, and discussions from people with a strong connection to Liverpool.

The day started off with Jade Burns who is a music lover, radio producer, presenter and podcaster. Jade shared stories about her work and the passion she has for what she does. She described how she conducts interviews and how she must take a variety of approaches to sharing people’s stories.

Among those present was Chris Kirkland, the former Liverpool goalkeeper, who shared his experiences playing for Liverpool FC. Reflecting on his career, Kirkland spoke about the best manager he played under—Gérard Houllier—and his belief that the late Frenchman’s approach to management played a key role in building the foundations for Liverpool’s success. He also shared memories of battling injuries and his time at Wigan and Rotherham, offering an honest account of the highs and lows of professional football.

I spent a long time speaking to Dan Fieldsend (a writer) about his love for football, which he describes as an “international language”. His work follows Liverpool home and away in Europe, documenting the emotional rollercoaster of being a fan. He also described his love for creative writing and the pride he felt when his family held the first book he had published.

Music was also a theme of the day with an incredibly special surprise guest Jamie Webster, a singer, who talked about his song “North End Kid” which reflects the power of belonging and football’s influence on identity. He discussed how lyrics can tell stories and that, like Klopp’s Liverpool, music is built on passion and connection. Jamie Webster is a principled man who firmly believes we should “treat others the way you wish to be treated”.

Students like Charlie, a Year 7 student, added to the day’s atmosphere, expressing his love for football and creative writing. For him, being at Anfield was more than just a visit—it was a moment of pride and something that will live with him forever.

With all these perspectives from contributors from different walks of life, the event at Anfield proved that creative writing is more than just words on a page; it is a powerful tool in bringing people together and making meaningful connections.