The Kop ( a bit of history )

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Sean_Nile
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The Kop ( a bit of history )

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The Kop at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium is one of the most famous terraces in football, known for its passionate supporters and electric atmosphere.
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The name "Kop" originates from the Battle of Spion Kop during the Second Boer War in 1900. "Spion Kop," meaning "Spy Hill" in Dutch, was a hill in South Africa where a bloody battle occurred, resulting in heavy casualties for British forces, many of whom were from Lancashire, including Liverpool.
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In 1906, when Liverpool FC constructed a large, steep terrace for fans at Anfield, it was named the Spion Kop in memory of the soldiers who had died in that battle. The steep nature of the terrace resembled the hill's slope, and the name became a lasting tribute.
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mentalcase
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Re: The Kop ( a bit of history )

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Same at ER, spion kop, my first game in 67/68 season was on the old grassy bank called the "kop"
" Man is not affected by events but by the view he takes of them "
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Re: The Kop ( a bit of history )

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mentalcase wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 10:07 am Same at ER, spion kop, my first game in 67/68 season was on the old grassy bank called the "kop"
It was news to me why the terrace behind the goal of many stadiums are referred to as the KOP. It is just a throw away word that is spouted out without knowing anything of the history.

There are quiet a few youtube videos describing the battle. Churchill was there and so was Mahatma Gandhi serving in the medical corps. Just think how world history would be different if those two people had been killed.
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No starlink and the only method of communication was semaphore, and the whole thing turned out to be a disaster for both the British and the Boers, and of course it was the generals mostly responsible for the mismanagement.
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Re: The Kop ( a bit of history )

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Interesting bit of information about something we all can relate to, have probably been on to watch games, but knew nothing about where the name came from :tup: :clap:
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Re: The Kop ( a bit of history )

Post by Irish Ian »

I wonder how many grounds have their kop end.

Add Hillsborough and Windsor Park.
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"Football is about the people and the players,” he said. “Then there are those who will mingle in the middle: the coaches, executives and journalists. That last group represents the worst part about football" Marcelo Bielsa
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Re: The Kop ( a bit of history )

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GreennWhite wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 11:56 am Interesting bit of information about something we all can relate to, have probably been on to watch games, but knew nothing about where the name came from :tup: :clap:
I have looked at many videos concerning the Spion Kop battle and I fould this the most informative because it give some background as to who the commanders were. Fascinating stuff.
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Re: The Kop ( a bit of history )

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Sean_Nile wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 11:05 am It was news to me why the terrace behind the goal of many stadiums are referred to as the KOP. It is just a throw away word that is spouted out without knowing anything of the history.

There are quiet a few youtube videos describing the battle. Churchill was there and so was Mahatma Gandhi serving in the medical corps. Just think how world history would be different if those two people had been killed.

IMG_20250123_131247.jpg

No starlink and the only method of communication was semaphore, and the whole thing turned out to be a disaster for both the British and the Boers, and of course it was the generals mostly responsible for the mismanagement.
Other than politicians who agree to wars in the first place, generals and high ranking officers are always responsible for the "mis-management" of things in the theatre, I've fell out with many.
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Re: The Kop ( a bit of history )

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I bet you have had one or two low ranking officers in your sights too.......
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Re: The Kop ( a bit of history )

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hector wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 1:40 pm I bet you have had one or two low ranking officers in your sights too.......
Who me 8-)
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Re: The Kop ( a bit of history )

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mentalcase wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 1:49 pm Who me 8-)

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:rol: :rol: :rol:
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Re: The Kop ( a bit of history )

Post by Dragon Road »

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Quite a good book on the battle and the wider seige of Ladysmith, of which the battle was part

Ladysmith by Giles Foden.

Also wrote The last king of Scotland, about Idi Amin, made into a film with James McAvoy
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Re: The Kop ( a bit of history )

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I’m just a big know-it-all. I knew this.
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Re: The Kop ( a bit of history )

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Orange Box wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 3:08 pm I’m just a big know-it-all. I knew this.
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Re: The Kop ( a bit of history )

Post by Finnatic »

Orange Box wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 3:08 pm I’m just a big know-it-all. I knew this.
Me too, it was mentioned in a football book I used to renew every few weeks from the library when I was a kid.
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