Liverpool legend John Aldridge paid a touching tribute to former Reds striker David Johnson at the annual ‘Forever Reds’ Christmas lunch, as over £37,000 was raised for charity courtesy of the live auction at Anfield.
Forever Reds is the club’s official former player association, which was created to ensure former players always feel part of the LFC family – providing support, involving them in important work in the local community, and keeping them informed of new developments across the club.
Working closely with the LFC Foundation, Forever Reds raise money for both former players in need and for local charities on Liverpool and Merseyside. From last year’s Christmas lunch, £15,000 was donated to the British Red Cross appeal, helping those affected by the crisis in Ukraine.
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A number of Liverpool legends, including Steven Gerrard, Alan Hansen, John Barnes, Phil Thompson, and Ian Rush were all in attendance at Anfield on Thursday for the latest Forever Reds Christmas lunch.
And in his opening speech ECHO columnist Aldridge, who is the Chairman of the association, paid tribute to former Red Johnson, who passed away last month at the age of 71 after suffering with throat cancer, as well as paying tribute to the fans present for their generous donations at the end of the evening.
“Every year we get to this point, remembering our lost ones,” Aldridge said on stage. “So I’d like you all to raise your glasses and do a toast to our friend and great, great player, ‘The Doc’, Dave Johnson. All the best, Doc.
“The players got together some years ago and we did what we could over the years to raise money for local charities. The club got involved and we became ‘Forever Reds’. Under the guidance of the club, we can fund ex-players.
“We also give a lot to local charities, in Liverpool and Merseyside. We have £70k-£100k being shared out in the next few weeks to those charities and needy children in the city which is close to our hearts. Thanks to you for your help today, in the past and hopefully in the future, for helping us be able to do that.
“You’ve had some club legends up here today but you people here today, raising that amount of money, you’re legends yourselves. Well done. It will all go a long, long way to help the local community and what we represent. It’s brilliant.”
During the sit-down meal at Anfield, there were Q&As with Gerrard, Aldridge, Rush, Thompson and Gary McAllister before an auction hosted by Bargain Hunt’s Charles Hanson. Prizes up for grabs included signed Liverpool merchandise from Jurgen Klopp and members of the current first team squad as well as a tickets and travel package to see the Champions League Round of 16 second leg tie against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu next year.
Over £37,000 was raised from the auction alone, with such a figure not including what was raised through ticket sales and other donations.
And speaking to the ECHO during the afternoon, Aldridge revealed more about the work Forever Reds does in the local community as he spoke passionately about his involvement with the association and LFC Foundation..
“It’s so important. We only have two events a year, this and the golf day which we’ve done for a long time,” he said. “Now it’s Forever Reds when it used to be ex-players. It’s about raising money for the right reasons for the ex-players who have come upon some difficulties, to help them and their families out.
“When we were the ex-players, we couldn’t do that. There were too many grey areas. Now if anything untoward was to happen to any of the ex-players and they need help or funding in some form, we’re there for them.
“Obviously we get a percentage of the gate fee when we have these games at Anfield, which is tremendous of the foundation to help us with that. We work hand in hand with the foundation. Then anything up and above that we don’t need, it goes to local charities in Liverpool and Merseyside.
“In my lifetime, I’ve never known anything so bad in every way and form. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. It’s really, really tough on everyone. It’s so important, not just in these times, for people to get together and do what they can, around each other to help people that need help in any form.”
He continued: “Growing up in Garston and loving this club and loving the players that we represent now, it’s so important. There’s so many players who unfortunately we haven’t been able to help in the last 20-odd years that I grew up loving and have been lucky to know.
“You talk about Ray Kennedy, and there’s some others who I won’t really mention, who we haven’t been in a position to help in the past. That’s really hurt, it hurt us all. It was a grey area where we couldn’t take the funding unless it was for charity reasons and not personal reasons.
“Now we are so better late than never. There have been some really tough stories, the way some of our ex-players and great players have struggled later in life. We’re in a position now, and have been for a couple of years, where we can help. If they fall in hard times, we’re there to provide a cushion for them.
“To represent the players that I loved, words are beyond me. One of the proudest things I’ve done in my life to be honest. I’ve done many things in my life that I’ve enjoyed, winning cups, representing my country and taking Tranmere to a cup final.
“This is right up there with them, to help turn it around and offer a buffer for the players that made me fall in love with football.”
Meanwhile, Aldridge, who would finishing the night by performing 'The Anfield Rap' alongside Barnes, also took time to thank Gerrard for attending the Christmas lunch as he again paid tribute to the generous fans in attendance.
“Stevie’s a great ambassador, not just for the club but for the city as a whole,” he said. “He does so much charity-wise and for kids in particular. Stevie is right up there with most people in the city. He’s a great bloke. When he was asked to come here today, straight away it was, ‘Not a problem’.
“It’s good, we can enjoy a few beers without worrying if Liverpool win or lose! And do it for the right reasons. It’s always a great day for everyone to just relax and hear some great stories.
“The people who come, the 400-500 people who are here, every year they’re brilliant and don’t let anyone down. They dig deep in their pockets and we raise quite a lot of money. Any money is good at this time of year, the way the world’s gone, but they dig deep.”
To find out more about the work LFC does in the community via Forever Reds and the Foundation click here https://foundation.liverpoolfc.com/
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