TWO lawyers who bid £14,000 in a charity auction for the chance to meet the Liverpool FC squad have finally come face to face with their sporting idols.
Reds fans Michael Sandys and Paul Ford, who are partners at Kirwans Solicitors, bid for the prize at The Anthony Walker Foundation gala dinner earlier this year.
Their Premiership experience began with a trip to Melwood where they watched training and chatted with the players, including Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Peter Crouch.
The meeting was particularly interesting for Paul, who is related to Steven Gerrard.
He said: “There have been a few family celebrations where Steven has been present but unfortunately I haven’t been able to attend due to work commitments.
“So, it was good to meet him, chat and have our photographs taken.�
The solicitors then enjoyed a private tour of Anfield and were given the rare honour of being allowed to hold the Champions League trophy.
They also met former Liverpool players Phil Neal and Brian Hall before enjoying lunch at the ground.
Michael, who began supporting Liverpool as a teenager in the mid-80s, said: “Holding the Champions League trophy was one of the highlights of the day and was a really special moment for me.
“Also meeting and listening to Brian Hall talk about his early days as a footballer for Liverpool Football Club was very entertaining for us all.
“The whole day was a fantastic experience and something I will always remember.
“Myself and Paul were also delighted that we were able to combine our passion for football with the opportunity to support such a worthy cause as the Anthony Walker Foundation.�
The Anthony Walker Foundation was established in the aftermatch of Anthony’s death in order to raise money in support of projects to promote racial harmony and intergration.
The foundation, which is supported by Liverpool and Everton Football Club, Knowsley Borough Council and Merseyside Police, operates a number of annual events, including a gala dinner and summer sports’ festival.