The Voice of Anfield: My Fifty Years with Liverpool FC

by George Sephton

George Sephton's relationship with Liverpool Football Club began in 1971 when he wrote to the club secretary applying to be the stadium announcer. His first match also marked the debut of Kevin Keegan. For the past fifty years, Sephton has been at Anfield for all but a handful of home fixtures, as well as travelling with the team to major finals.

From the highs of winning numerous league titles and European Cups, to the lows of Heysel and Hillsbrough, Sephton has been with Liverpool through it all. From encounters with great managers and legendary players - from Bill Shankly to Kenny Dalglish, John Barnes to Jurgen Klopp, he tells his unique and entertaining story of the greatest club in the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

352 pages, Hardcover

Published May 6, 2021

Reviews

[AJRXII · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I'm a red it starts off a little too much purely about LFC however we begin to get George's lovely stories as it progresses. Sounds like a wonderful human.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually listened to the audio book, narrated by the author, which was a real treat. But Goodreads doesn't show the audio edition as one of the editions.
My first introduction to Liverpool football was in the 1970s, from a show in the US on PBS called "Soccer Made in Germany." I don't know why, but it seemed to show Liverpool more often than it showed German teams, and I became a fan of Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish, among others. George Sephton has been a fan much longer and has had the good fortune of being the stadium announcer at Anfield for 50-some years.
The book is a love letter to Liverpool FC, Liverpool (Mr. Sephton's hometown), popular music (he selects and plays all the music at Liverpool games), and family. It didn't occur to me (although it should have) that stadium announcers have to have a day job, and I was equally interested in Mr. Sephton's career path. He was lucky that his paying jobs never interfered too much with his passion--the Reds. His memoir is really the memoir of a super fan.
I was sorry for the book to end. It was like a conversation with an old friend who I had met for the first time.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend for any die hard Liverpool fan to read this book. For those who either don't know who George Sephton is, George is more widly known as the voice of Anfield. He is that booming voice over the speakers, telling us the team, the other scores, the music that has been playing before the match and at half time. He is a Liverpool FC legend, he is a fond part of my memory growing up and going to Anfield as a fan from a young age, to that of an adult fan and a past worker at the club. He tells us his memories from certain matches that are his favourite or stick in his mind, how he felt about that and you can see a forward from the King of Anfield himself, Kenny Dalglish which is brilliant too.

[Steve Denton]

Picked this from audible as I'm a Liverpool fan.
Couple of chapters in I have my doubts.
He refers to Phil Thompson, watching him the reserves and then going on to be assistant manager and "take control of the side when Houllier fell ill during the trophy winning season of 00/01" Houllier fell ill during the game against Leeds in October 01 so that was the season after the three cups were won. Small detail but a known detail that could easily have been checked by editors. What else is wrong?
When you are writing for what would generally be a knowledgeable reader on the subject matter these mistakes are annoying.

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Sephton is the Voice of Anfield, the soft, almost fatherly dulcet tones of the stadium announcer at the greatest club in the world, Liverpool F.C. A cheeky little letter to the club in 1971 enquiring if he could be the announcer set him on this incredible 50 year journey. Seeing the many highs and lows of the club during that time, as well as the changing culture of football as it became this multi-billion sport.

A wonderful book to escape and reminisce of the many memories.

[Mr Kevin S Heywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a man who is part of the Anfield Experience

A must read for anyone who had been to Anfield over the past half century. An excellent account by one of the most recognisable voices in football.

[Ciara Micola · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inside look into the life of the voice of Anfield. So many anecdotes about Liverpool and George’s personal life. It is so interesting to read about LFC through the eyes of someone who’s been there nearly their entire life and career.

[Tommo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Briliant read for any Liverpool supporter!👍👌🔴📖

[James Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book telling story and music that’s shaped the voice of Anfield’s 50 year association with LFC

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75.

[Pam Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your a Liverpool fan it’s a must read George has great knowledge and passion for the game

[Andrew Wedlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good old tales in here some of them interesting to see inside the club etc.

[Dsweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. A good man with a great story.

[Gregg Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read. George has certainly been one of the voices of my whole life and any memory I have of Anfield seems to start with his voice. From my first game in 77 through my most active years in the 80s, George was there for it all!

Sad at times to see how he has been treated by the club, being left off ticket lists etc, and it is interesting to see how little interaction he has had with owners, plays and managers over the years.

[COR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book. It was written like a conversation, as I truly felt connected with George and the evolution of his life. My knowledge of certain aspects of Liverpool history is limited, and this definitely helped to fill in a number of gaps and understand how good the team of the 70’s and 80’s really was. From being at Anfield, I naturally know George’s voice, and it was great to hear the story of his life and career on his anniversary with the club.