Global LFC Family: Romania

The Reds stood between Dinamo Bucharest and a place in the 1984 European Cup final and despite initially wanting Liverpool to lose, by the time Joe Fagan's team had got to Rome, they had a new fan for life.

Almost 30 years on from that first night watching Liverpool in communist Romania, Nicolescu is now the most famous Reds fan in the Romanian parliament. This is his LFC story...

Name: Theodor Nicolescu
Age: 39
City/country: Pitesti, Romania
Job: MP

Why did you pick Liverpool as your team?

I grew up in a communist country. Information about international football was very scarce but suddenly I became aware and then amazed by a football club that played against Dinamo Bucharest in the semi-finals of the European Cup. I have to admit I hoped Dinamo would beat Liverpool, but the difference between the two teams was very clear. By the final, I was already a Liverpool fan.

How did people in your country follow Liverpool's fortunes at first?

During the communist regime, it was hard to find information about Liverpool. Occasionally, information about LFC could be found in the sport magazines and newspapers, but this was very rare. After the 1989 Romanian revolution, everybody could follow any information they liked and that, of course, included information about Liverpool. I watched the Reds return to European football and I watched some of the best young players like Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen rise to the top.

Who was your first LFC hero and why?

Ian Rush. I just loved his ability to score.

What is your favourite LFC memory?

Have you found somebody who hasn't said the Istanbul 2005 final?

Who has been your favourite Liverpool manager and why?

My favourite manager is Rafael Benitez. Under him, the team gave the impression that nothing was impossible. They played such beautiful football.

What has been your lowest point supporting Liverpool?

I find the lowest points do not come from team performances. After all, the team needs support when it is going through tough times.

Have you ever been to Anfield?

Yes, I was there in 2010 - and it was very, very cold - for the match against Unirea Urziceni. Every year I promise myself that I will go again. I hope I will finally find the time to do it again.

Where were you while we were in Istanbul?

I was watching TV in my home in Pitesti. I was amazed by the spirit of the team. The victory came as a logical development. I felt like I was part of a unique event in football history.

Do Liverpool have a passionate fan base in Romania?

Yes, there are a lot of enthusiastic Liverpool fans in Romania.

Which team are considered Liverpool's biggest rivals in your country?

If we talk from the heart, probably the biggest rivals will be Everton. If we look at the trophy room, probably the biggest rivals here are Manchester United.

Where do you go online to follow news about LFC?

I read the official LFC website and all the major sports sites in Europe and in Romania.

Do you also support a local team?

I grew up five minutes walking distance from the stadium of FC Arges. Although the team is not that well known, it is an important club for Romanian football. They have won two titles and in the 1970s, they beat major teams such as Real Madrid and Valencia in the European Cup. Unfortunately, the club is now in trouble, in insolvency. But I hope it will come back to the forefront of Romanian football. The Pitesti football school is one of the best in Romania. Over the years, a lot of important players have been raised by my hometown club. Adrian Mutu is probably the best known example in Europe.

Who is your favourite current player and why?

My favourite player is Steven Gerrard. I think he embodies my love for the club and the spirit of this amazing team. I hope that he will crown his career with a Premier League title. He deserves it.

If you could meet anyone connected to Liverpool FC - past or present - who would it be and why?

I would love to meet a lot of players, starting with Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush, moving on to Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher and Luis Suarez. Most of all, I would be very honoured to meet Steven Gerrard.

What makes you most proud to be a Liverpool supporter?

I am proud to support a team with a long and fabulous history; a team with a winning spirit and the stubbornness to never give up. I am proud to be related to the best football supporters in the world.

Finally, what does 'the Liverpool way' mean to you?

The Liverpool way means fair play, never giving up, always believing in yourself and in the men and women next to you. It is all about team spirit. It is all about never walking alone in sport and in life.

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Mongolia - Amarsaikhan Orsoo>>
Vietnam - Pham Quynh Le>>
USA - July 4th Special>>
Iran - Mohammad Reza Rahimi>>
South Korea - Yong-Suk Choi>>
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