George Sephton said "he still can't go on holiday to Italy" as he told the ECHO about the memorable moment from his 54-year career as stadium announcer
George Sephton spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview
George Sephton spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The former "voice of Anfield" has opened up on how he was taken to hospital after one of the most memorable moments of his career. George Sephton, 79, served as Liverpool FC's stadium announcer for 54 years.
The Liverpudlian DJ retired from his position at the end of last season, and tonight's match against Bournemouth will be the first time George watches the game from his new vantage point in the Main Stand. He has spoken to the ECHO in an exclusive interview about his life in the gantry.
George's voice has sound-tracked some of the most iconic games in his half a century. One of the most famous encounters was the time when Liverpool announced themselves as back among Europe's elite when they defeated Roma in the Champions League in 2001.
Fabio Capello's team contained stars such as Gabriel Batistuta and were on their way to winning a particularly strong Serie A. However, Michael Owen's brace in the Italian capital gave the Reds a 2-0 lead to hold onto for the return leg at Anfield.
Roma won the tie in L4 1-0, the Reds progressed to the quarter final as Gerard Houllier's men clung on to the 2-1 aggregate win. Liverpool fans were thrilled with George's decision as he played the song "Arrivederci Roma" after the final whistle.
The title translates as "Goodbye Roma" and sparked fury from the Roma contingent. Houllier was grilled about the choice in the post match press conference and memorably quipped he "only picks the team, not the music".
George told the ECHO about the moment in his exclusive interview, which is available to watch in full on the Blood Red YouTube channel. He said: Oh dear god. That was a complete stitch up because I was told by someone I'm not going to name in public that this was good idea. He also told me that Rick Parry had OK'd it. This was all lies. Of course muggins here, I play it. I still can't go to Italy from my holidays.
"I've heard all sorts of stories. Fabio Capello, I believe, has a hitman looking for me. I came down after the game. I used to go the press room for a cuppa in those days. One of the stewards said, 'George, leg it'. Apparently Gerard Houllier was embarrassed. He came out with the wonderful phrase, 'I only pick the team, not the music'.
"The following morning I was working with the guy whose dad was the fella from Liverpool City Council who signed the safety certificates. He had told me that the powers that be were furious because I'd nearly started a riot. I tracked down the match commander. He said I was only saying to the stadium manager what a nice piece of music that is.
"f you listen to the music it just says we look forward to seeing your beautiful city again No malice at all." Although George can now laugh at the moment that has become a part of Liverpool lore, the incident had a serious impact on him in the immediate aftermath.
He said: "On [the following] Friday night I ended up being rushed into Aintree hospital. I woke up and my tongue had swollen up. I was having an allergic reaction to some blood pressure tables which I'd been given that I shouldn't have been given.
"I'd been taking them for a while. What I discovered later that what needed to set off this reaction was some sort of stressful event. I was really stressed out.
"Luckily my wife is a nurse and we live very close to Aintree hospital, otherwise I wouldn't be here talking to you." George recovered in time for the Worthington Cup final that weekend which the Reds won on penalties after beating Birmingham.
He laughed the Liverpool fans in attendance were only saying one word to him when they spotted him at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium: "Arrividerci."
You can read the full ECHO interview with George Sephton on his legendary career, how he got the job and his new matchday routine. It is available to watch on YouTube.