FeatureWe Love You Liverpool: Meet Official LFC Supporters Club... Seattle
Liverpool FC has more than 300 Official LFC Supporters Clubs (OLSCs) across 100 countries worldwide.
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 Seattle…
Firstly, can you introduce yourself - tell us a little a bit about who you are and where you are from...
My name is Jeff Danner and I am one of the founders of OSLC Seattle and our current club secretary. I was born and raised in the Seattle area and currently live just north of downtown with my wife and two young boys.
Tell us about OLSC Seattle...
The origins of OLSC Seattle are, like some of life's best moments, a thing of chance. In 2008, both myself and another Red, Todd Schackman, reached out to Liverpool Football Club about getting a supporters club chapter set up in Seattle. The club got us in touch, and we formed the foundations of what is now OLSC Seattle.
We were in an 'unofficial status' from 2008 to 2013 and officially joined the OLSC network in February 2013. Our current membership total is now north of 130 people.
How special is it to have a feel of 'Liverpool' despite being in Seattle?
Knowing that we have Liverpool FC's full backing is incredibly special and helps give us a platform. We also have a diverse set of supporters that bring a wonderful atmosphere to matchday. We're also a tight-knit bunch that have seen friendships come from heading to the pub.
Do you hold any special events throughout the season, or meet-ups for games?
We're well known for the fact that we show every game live (yes, even the 12.30pm BST kick-offs) at both of our home pubs. We're getting back into getting special events on the calendar. Our biggest event each year has traditionally been a holiday potluck.
Why do you think Liverpool fans - no matter where they are from around the world - are so passionate and loyal to the club?
There's something to be said about a club and supporter base that refuses to believe they're beaten. It's also a club that has worked hard to stay true to their roots. Even in this evolving and ever-growing global sporting landscape, Liverpool FC is still uniquely Liverpool.
How do you bring 'Anfield' to Seattle?
Our home pub in Seattle (St. Andrews) gives us free rein to decorate the pub on matchday, so we try to make it as Liverpool as possible (scarves, banners etc.).
Has the OLSC ever visited Anfield? If so, what was the experience like?
Dozens of our members have been fortunate enough to visit Anfield. I often joke with our members that I'm no longer allowed as I've seen five draws and zero wins.
The most-talked-about memory is often the first walk out of the tunnel and seeing Anfield for the first time, or simply sampling the atmosphere outside of Anfield on matchday. It's an experience unrivalled in American sports.
How has it been to follow the club in recent history?
This is the stuff of dreams. The sustained success from Jürgen and the team has been something Liverpool supporters have been craving for decades. There have been numerous times where I doubted Liverpool FC would ever be league champions again and Jürgen erased those doubts - never mind a cup double and bringing home No.6.
We can't leave Matt Beard out of this either. To navigate Liverpool FC Women back to the WSL after the tough seasons they had deserves enormous credit. It's incredible to have both the men's and women's team playing at the very highest level.
If anyone is interested in joining your OLSC, how would they go about doing so?
They can find all our membership information on our website: www.lfcseattle.com.
Finally, is there anything else you'd like to mention?
I would be remiss if I didn't mention my fellow co-founders Ian Bennett and Todd Schackman as well as our first president - Peter Yates. It was a collective effort to get OLSC Seattle officially recognised, and we wouldn't be here without that effort.
OLSC info
Name: OLSC Seattle
Location: Seattle, WA
Home bar: St. Andrews Pub (Seattle) & Doyle's Public House (Tacoma)
Website: www.lfcseattle.com
This article has been automatically translated and, while all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some errors in translation are possible. Please refer to the original English-language version of the article for the official version.