FeatureWe Love You Liverpool: Meet Official LFC Supporters Club... Pasadena

The Reds' fanbase is famous for its passion and loyalty, cheering on both Jürgen Klopp and Matt Beard's squads whether on Merseyside or watching from afar.

Our We Love You Liverpool feature aims to bring supporters closer together to learn more about each other wherever they are based around the globe.

Whether in the UK and Republic of Ireland, on Merseyside itself, in North or South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia or elsewhere, fans provide the very foundations that the club is built on.

Here, we meet OLSC Pasadena...

Tell us about the OLSC Pasadena…

My name is Eric Fearon, and I was born in Liverpool and grew up in Toxteth. I attended my first Liverpool games in 1946-47.

OLSC Pasadena came about as a result of a few football fans trying to watch live games here in Pasadena. In the mid-eighties we managed to watch one game per week at a pub named The John Bull. There was very little local support for English football at the time. The John Bull changed ownership and the new manager, who was English, clearly didn’t like football.

Lucky Baldwins pub had just opened and one of the owners, David Farnsworth, after a long courtship agreed to show the games at the pub. Then beside us Brits, the American support started to grow and so did the Liverpool support grow.

In 1996 I started The Pasadena Reds and began to gather at the pub to watch all the Liverpool games. After the 2005 Champions League final win there was once again an increase in support. By 2015 we had a good following and we decided to request an OLSC membership. This was granted and at present we have 556 members.

How special is it to have a feel of ‘Liverpool’ despite being in Pasadena?

When you watch a Liverpool game live on TV, it is not so difficult to feel a part of something that is so passionate about its football. We love it and one feels like you are at the ground. We sing all of the songs, and the pub goes crazy when we score a goal. There is no other club that can suck you into a game and atmosphere like Liverpool does.

Do you hold any special events throughout the season, or meet-ups for games?

With regard to special events, we used to hold them but had to stop due COVID. It was a difficult time as we could not meet at the pub. One of our members came up with the idea of meeting over video calls and we all did that. It was a huge success.

Now we are all back to normal and meet up for every game, including the Champions League matches. This takes a lot of dedication as some of our games start at 4.30am. We have one couple – Alex Anaya and his wife Victoria and children – that drive for over two hours to watch the games.

What is so unique about being a Liverpool supporter for your members?

I believe that LFC is a unique club in world football for its dedicated support. When you are watching and hear the crowd support our team then you want to be part of that. It just takes hold of you.

Why do you think Liverpool fans – no matter where they are from around the world – are so passionate and loyal to the club?

We have a number of our fans that have travelled over to Liverpool to watch the Reds. They have all been struck by the unbelievable support from the fans at the ground and the passion shown by the fans just takes over you. It is a fantastic experience and makes one feel proud to be a red.

How do you bring ‘Anfield’ to Pasadena?

When you turn on the TV and the game comes on – Anfield just comes into the pub. Everyone is singing and cheering. We are a very close-knit group, so everyone just automatically joins in. It’s a great feeling and I love to see the young children joining in.

Has the OLSC ever visited Anfield? If so, what was the experience like?

We have made the trip over to Anfield as a group three times. The last one was in 2019 for the Chelsea game. Due to COVID we have not been able to attend any others but hope to do so in the very near future.

How has it been to follow the club in recent history?

I remember when Bill Shankly joined Liverpool and he changed the club in every way that we did things. I see Jürgen Klopp doing exactly the same. He is one of the best managers in world football and has created a world-class support team with the staff that he has brought into the club. He has also brought super happy times to the club winning the Premier League for the first time, the Champions League, the Club World Cup and two domestic cups. He is the best thing that has happened to Liverpool in many, many years. The same goes for Matt Beard for his guidance and decision making and all of the staff at Liverpool.

Finally, is there anything else you'd like to mention?

Our supporters here at OLSC Pasadena are dedicated and very loyal, but I would like to mention one supporter in particular. Helen Steele. Helen is a fellow Scouser (from Southport though) and she is an example for everyone on how to support the team. Come rain, hail or snow, Helen is at the game cheering on the team. She is much loved and respected by all of the Pasadena Reds.

OLSC info

Name: OLSC Pasadena

Location: Pasadena, California, USA

Home bar: Lucky Baldwins Pub, 17 South Raymond Ave, California, 91105, USA

Website: PasadenaReds.com

Twitter: @PasadenaReds

Facebook: Pasadena Reds