The ECHO shadowed many of the staff members for a week back in 1981
Bert Johnson, Maintenance Supervisor, (front) is pictured with members of the Anfield ground staff at Anfield. A photograph from an article called 'A Week In The Life Of Liverpool Football Club' which was published in the Liverpool ECHO on the 14th March 1981. March 1981.
A photograph from an article called 'A Week In The Life Of Liverpool Football Club' which was published in the Liverpool ECHO on March 14, 1981
(Image: Mirrorpix)
Anfield has been the home of Liverpool FC since 1892 and now 133 years on, fans from across Merseyside and beyond continue to make their way through the turnstiles to show their support for the club. But through the decades, the famous stadium has also welcomed generations of long-serving staff members who the club wouldn't be the same without.
From medical staff to the maintenance team, catering and more, they've long been regular faces on matchdays for fans for years. But these photos, unearthed from our archives, are bound to stir some memories of staff from years gone by.
Back in March 1981, Liverpool ECHO reporters Charles Lambert, Anne Cummings and Ian Hargreaves were given a behind the scenes look at life at Anfield Stadium, shadowing various departments for a "week in the life" feature. From Sunday through to Saturday, the team met numerous Anfield employees to hear about their roles.
They also saw training at Melwood, catering staff prepping players' favourite meals, board meetings with Bob Paisley, evening meetings with sponsors Hitachi and fans hovering around the car park for autographs. The article reads: "It is 7.30 on Saturday evening.
"The Anfield pitch, scarred after the reserve match that afternoon, has had first-aid from Arthur Riley and his ground staff. Bert Johnson, the maintenance manager, makes a final check that everything is secure.
Bert Johnson, Maintenance Supervisor, (front) is pictured with members of the Anfield ground staff at Anfield. A photograph from an article called 'A Week In The Life Of Liverpool Football Club' which was published in the Liverpool ECHO on the 14th March 1981. March 1981.
Bert Johnson, maintenance supervisor, (front) is pictured with members of the Anfield ground staff at Anfield. March 1981
"The floodlights go out. Two hundred miles away, on Platform 13 of Euston Station, the members of the most famous team in Europe are crowding into the restaurant car of their train back to Liverpool. they have only drawn 2-2 at relegation-haunted Brighton and no-one is expecting champagne.
"A week has ended. Another one starts."
One image captures Bert Johnson, maintenance supervisor, with members of the ground staff at Anfield. Throughout that week, ECHO readers heard of their numerous tasks, from caring for the pitch and making it home by tea on Sunday to cleaning terraces, café facilities, switching on the undersoil heating to tackle the cold weather and working in conjunction with the police to make sure the flow of people through the turnstiles were safe.
Bob O'Neill, pictured by a special painting of the Reds celebrating a championship victory, has a busy schedule taking visitors from all over the world on tours of the ground at Anfield. A photograph from an article called 'A Week In The Life Of Liverpool Football Club' which was published in the Liverpool ECHO on the 14th March 1981. March 1981.
Bob O'Neill, pictured by a special painting of the Reds celebrating a championship victory, has a busy schedule taking visitors from all over the world on tours of the ground at Anfield. March 1981
In 1981, we also met Bob O'Neill, who at that time had been a Liverpool fan for 62 years and had been an expert guide at Anfield for five years. He previously told the ECHO: "We get people from all over the world.
"Only the other day, I had a letter of thanks from the Korean ambassador, who came here with his wife and son. Last week was an extra busy one - we must have had more than 400 people round in all.
"When I first came here there were only a few parties, but now it's quite a big thing. I show them the little clock Brian Clough gave us after Forest had knocked Liverpool our of the European cup.
"Then there's the solid gold dagger presented during the visit to Dubai - and a replica of the World Cup commemorating Roger Hunt's appearance in the final. People are also impressed with the three Fair-Play trophies Liverpool have won - and with some of the surprise items like the model of an oil drilling rig present by Ploesti of Rumania."
That week, the ECHO also met restaurant staff, Phyl McCaldon, Anne Olsen and Vera Bean. Providing a substantial lunch for the then-players, the team said favourites included apple pie and custard, as well as steak and chicken.
Catering manageress Mrs Anne Olsen previously told the ECHO: "That is the big favourite. The girl who cooks apple pie really excels.
Restaurant staff at Anfield football stadium, left to right, Phyl McCaldon, Anne Olsen and Vera Bean. A photograph from an article called 'A Week In The Life Of Liverpool Football Club' which was published in the Liverpool ECHO on the 14th March 1981. March 1981.
Restaurant staff Phyl McCaldon, Anne Olsen and Vera Bean. March 1981
"Once she was off and another girl baked them, and the players noticed at once! Most of the lads have a sweet tooth and they all take sugar with their drinks. It gives them energy."
Anne, Phyl and Vera would turn up for work at 11am and serve up a three-course lunch with soup, a main course and a sweet. Anne continued: "It's a nice place to work, some days we have a lot of laughs and jokes, and it's a happy atmosphere.
"We have a different meal every day and its basically homely food like chicken, gammon, beef, lamb and fish. The lads help themselves - it's not like a formal restaurant in that way.
"Sometimes they play practical jokes on each other life putting pepper on bread." At the time, Ann also prepared food for match days, like pies, hot savouries and sandwiches, for the directors, guests and the players lounge - as well as pots of tea in the players dressing rooms at half time.
In 1981, Miriam Griffiths was secretary to general secretary Peter Robinson and the pair shared a funny moment when discussing a fans letter. A 16-year-old from Ireland had written to John Smith with advice on how to run the team.
Miriam Griffiths, Secretary to Peter Robsinon (General Secretary) at Liverpool Football club. A photograph from an article called 'A Week In The Life Of Liverpool Football Club' which was published in the Liverpool ECHO on the 14th March 1981. March 1981.
Miriam Griffiths, secretary to Peter Robsinon (general secretary) at Liverpool Football Club. March 1981
They said: "You may remember I wrote before and said it was time to sell Emlyn Hughes. A week later, he was gone, so I'm glad you took my advice then."
Miriam dealt with inquiries from all over the world about Liverpool. There were no juniors to do the typing chores, so she operated the duplicating machines.
Cleaners at Anfield football stadium, May Devine, Irene Brennan and Jenny Davies. Trophies left to right, the Central League and League Championship trophies, Manager of the Year award and the Charity Shield. A photograph from an article called 'A Week In The Life Of Liverpool Football Club' which was published in the Liverpool ECHO on the 14th March 1981. March 1981.
Cleaners at Anfield - May Devine, Irene Brennan and Jenny Davies. Trophies left to right, the Central League and League Championship trophies, Manager of the Year award and the Charity Shield. March 1981
On the days she spoke to the ECHO, she had run out over 400 letters telling people there is no chance of a League Cup Final ticket.
Throughout the feature, more lovely photographs were captured of staff in numerous departments working at Anfield. This included cleaners May Devine, Irene Brennan and Jenny Davies.
Here, they are photographed with the Central League and League Championship trophies, Manager of the Year award and the Charity Shield. The photo caption in the article reads: "The three ladies are a shining example of the work the staff at Anfield undertake each day.
Lynne (left) and Peggy in the ticket sales department at Liverpool Football Club. A photograph from an article called 'A Week In The Life Of Liverpool Football Club' which was published in the Liverpool ECHO on the 14th March 1981. March 1981.
Lynne (left) and Peggy in the ticket sales department at Liverpool Football Club. March 1981
"For May Devine, Irene Brennan and Jenny Davies, the job is keeping Liverpool's glittering array of silverware gleaming is a very satisfying one, especially when so many visitors to the trophy room see their work every day." Another image captures workers Lynne and Peggy busy the ticket sales department answering numerous inquiries from the fans.
You can also see Ken Addison, development officer at the club, smiling for the camera outside of the stadium. And in our final image, courtesy of our archive, Mirrorpix, we get a closer look inside the souvenir shop.
Ken Addison, Development Officer at Liverpool Football club. A photograph from an article called 'A Week In The Life Of Liverpool Football Club' which was published in the Liverpool ECHO on the 14th March 1981. March 1981.
Jim Kennefick (left) and John Robinson surrounded by Liverpool mementoes in the souvenir shop . March 1981
Jim Kennefick (left) and John Robinson surrounded by Liverpool mementoes in the Souvenir Shop at Anfield Stadium. A photograph from an article called 'A Week In The Life Of Liverpool Football Club' which was published in the Liverpool ECHO on the 14th March 1981. March 1981.
Jim Kennefick (left) and John Robinson surrounded by Liverpool mementoes in the souvenir shop . March 1981
Many fans will remember popping into this shop in the 80s and buying a number of items on display. A number of fans from across the world may still have this memorabilia.
The photograph inside the souvenir shop at Anfield shows employees Jim Kennefick and John Robinson surrounded by Liverpool mementoes. It's now been 44 years since these images were taken, but they offer an incredible behind the scenes look at Anfield Stadium in the early 80s, as well as celebrating the employees at the heart of it all.