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'Walk On' - Review of the BT Sport documentary on the Liverpool anthem

The programme was broadcast to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster

Nik Brumsack
Tuesday 15 April 2014 13:56 BST
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A view of the Liverpool fans at Anfield
A view of the Liverpool fans at Anfield (GETTY IMAGES)

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Broadcast on BT Sport 1 to mark 25 years since the Hillsborough disaster, “Walk On” - shown last night at 10pm - told the story of “You'll Never Walk Alone”, the song that became iconic with Liverpool FC in the 1960s.

The programme featured a host of Liverpool legends including Kenny Dalglish, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard, as well as contributions from celebrity fans, journalists and musical professionals.

Following its creation for the Broadway stage, "You'll Never Wale Alone" was covered by Gerry & The Pacemakers and was later adopted by the Kop during the 60s - a decade where the success of the Anfield club intertwined with a booming music scene.

Originally synonymous with success, the anthem took on a whole new meaning after the Hillsborough disaster in which 96 Liverpool fans were killed at an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest. "As well as being a footballing song, it also filled a huge void for people who lost somebody at Hillsborough," remarked Dalglish during the programme. "It was emotive for many reasons, footballing was one of them, but not the most important one."

"Walk On" also reflected on the impact of the song in helping Liverpool to success on the pitch. Speaking in the documentary, former Liverpool defender and assistant manager Phil Thompson described the impact the song had during the famous Champions League final victory against AC Milan in 2005.

"This was everybody coming together," Thompson said. "And it was as though it was coming from all around the world - every Liverpool fan was there and going 'we need help'. No other football club would have won that game without the help of the fans and the song that day."

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