The Anfield Wrap rallies support from its global following to help local businesses in Liverpool

Fans across the world have shown for years that Liverpool Football Club will never walk alone, but those same fans are now supporting the city too after a shoutout and social media appeal from The Anfield Wrap.

Hosts of the podcast and radio show have asked for help from the club’s global fans after lockdown restrictions have put businesses and charities in trouble.

“And the response has already been great,” says host John Gibbons.

“We’ve had fans saying they’ve bought beer from Love Lane Brewery, others have bought glasses from a rum company…

“People have asked what they can do, they are keen to help, and we’re just helping them to do it.”

 The appeal began just two days ago after Liverpool learned it was to be put in the top tier of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions after a dramatic rise in cases in the city.

John says: “Obviously, we are frustrated at the moment, and a little worried about Liverpool and the businesses, and about what the city is going to look like the other side of the six months.

“We speak to Liverpool fans, we do podcasts and videos for Liverpool supporters all over the world and, of course, they fall in love with the team first of all – and then they fall in love with the city. 

Support The Team? Support The City. TAW is asking you to help Liverpool businesses & charities

"We're proud of our city but we don't want to live in a museum."

"We want to live somewhere that is vibrant and that is in danger."

Are you a local organisation and need help? 🎥👇 pic.twitter.com/9I8R0yRdrj

— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) October 13, 2020

“They go home talking about what a great time they have had in Liverpool and we thought that if they wanted the city to be as vibrant and exciting the next time they come back, maybe they would give us a bit of help…”

It could be buying a few beers from a Liverpool brewery, says John, buying gifts from an online store, or making a donation to a charity or a foodbank in the Liverpool City Region.

“It might be that people want a bit of Liverpool in their home, they may have moved away and miss it – whatever they want, or however they want to help, we can facilitate it.”

The idea was launched the day after the latest guidelines had been announced and the day before they came into force. John says: “We all had a day of feeling sorry for ourselves but then we thought instead of being down, what can we do to help. We put the graphic out on social, businesses started getting in touch … it was great.

“Just by having dialogue on Twitter we know people want to help.”

The Anfield Wrap has a page on its website with a list of charities and foodbanks fans could help with donations, as well as the names of businesses they could buy from and support, from food and drink companies, and gift companies, to artists and clothes shops.

And the list won’t be exhaustive. The Anfield Wrap wants to add to it all the time as people approach them for help: “It can be anyone and everyone who has an online shop and can deliver inside, and outside, Liverpool.”

Help could come from anywhere across the globe. TAW has 10,000 paying subscribers as far afield as Europe, USA, and Australia; 50,000 people listen to each of its free shows with a similar number for its YouTube channel and there are around 300,000 followers on Twitter. “Instagram is also big for us,” adds John.

With so many ways to communicate with fans, they are hopeful of overwhelming support coming back.

“There are Liverpool fans everywhere,” says John. “We try and connect with them, and they connect with the city.

“There is something about Liverpool, fans don’t casually support them…they love the club as much as we do. The unity is strong, they realise that if you stick together, you achieve more.

“Liverpool’s motto is You’ll Never Walk Alone, and there is a togetherness. When people have the opportunity to show that, they will. We are really confident that people, fans, will support this and the city.”

Find out more here.