Broadcaster Richard Keys has been speaking about his shift in allegiance when it comes to Merseyside rivals Everton and Liverpool
Richard Keys reveals his Merseyside football alliegances has changed over time
The postponement of Saturday’s derby match at Goodison Park hasn’t prevented Richard Keys from stirring up some Merseyside football controversy as the broadcaster explained how he went from favouring Liverpool to Everton. The 67-year-old is a supporter of his home city club Coventry, but worked in Liverpool as a commentator for Radio City between 1978-82, when Bob Paisley’s side were dominant both domestically and in European competition.
Discussing his Merseyside allegiances on beIN SPORTS with his friend and co-host Andy Gray, who won a League Championship, FA Cup and European Cup-Winners’ Cup with Everton, plus former Liverpool player Jason McAteer, Key was quizzed about his change of heart. McAteer said: “You worked on Merseyside for four years, and I get the feeling you tend to lean towards Liverpool.”
Gray interjected: “Oh he does, he doesn’t lean.” McAteer then added: “Why would that be?”
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Keys replied: “When I worked there, because Liverpool were more successful, it was more enjoyable shall we say, it was an early form of celebrity that you would attach yourself with.” Gray said: “We know that, yes.”
Keys then added: “But the good guys were always at Everton and as the years have passed, my allegiance has moved, and I have turned blue.” A clearly surprised McAteer complained: “You can’t.”
Keys insisted: “You can. Peter Reid did it, he used to watch his football on the Kop and played blue.”
McAteer said: “There’s plenty of them. That’s because he played.”
Gray added: “If he hadn’t had played for them, he wouldn’t have changed.” McAteer scoffed: “You can’t change your colours.”
Keys clarified: “I haven’t changed, I said my allegiance has moved. I have turned blue.”
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Gray told McAteer: “He’s the same with Rangers-Celtic, he’s actually flip-flopped between the two.” Keys defended himself by saying: “When Strach (Gordon Strachan) took over at Celtic, I became a Celtic fan.”
Gray, who also played for Rangers, remarked: “When Strach left, he said: ‘I’m back with Rangers now,’ I said: ‘We don’t want you, we’re not having you back!’”
Shaking his head, Birkenhead-born McAteer warned Keys: “We’re not having you back now.”