[chrisb]

STEVEN Kelly couldn’t have planned the last hurrah of ‘Through the Wind and Rain’ with any more poignancy.
At a time when critical analysis of Liverpool FC is demanded more than ever, and in danger of hitting its lowest ebb, the loss of TTWAR adds to the general sense of malaise surrounding the club.
Steve’s biting assessments of the goings on at Anfield – sometimes agreeable, often contentious but always perceptive and dripping with integrity – have provided a melancholic but essential handbook to the past 18 years of rank underachievement in the league.
A void will be left by its departure, as TTWAR has consistently succeeded where the mainstream Liverpool FC media fails.
In TTWAR no ego was beyond being pricked, no manager beyond criticism, no boardroom decision beyond savagery and no favourable LFC journalist beyond satire.
It’s hard to recall any Liverpool publication, and that includes rival fanzines, which has been so untainted by bias towards players, an association with supporters’ groups or friendship with local hacks. For that, TTWAR truly was unique and vital.
Despite his modesty, Steve’s fanzine’s influence on a generation of Liverpool FC writers should not be underestimated.
When I began writing The Kop magazine in the late 90s, I shamelessly stole his diary format and tried to provide a toned down version of Steve’s pithiness. Dave Usher will no doubt admit to doing likewise when he started ‘The Liverpool Way’.
Soon I’d be skimming through his diary entries in the Anfield press room and finding myself on the receiving end of his venom. We wouldn’t always agree, but in putting his name to his arguments, and being ready and willing to defend himself should anyone take offence, again Steve proved himself a writer far more courageous than many.
The players took more interest than he might think in the fanzine too, with Kop legends as likely to shake their head in disapproval if they were upset by an observation or say ‘about fxxkin time too’ when Steve hit a target or explored a topic the newspapers were either too scared or unaware of to approach.
I may be wrong, but Steve strikes me as someone who made a choice early on not to pursue a mainstream writing career because he didn’t wish to compromise the freedom of expression which is an inevitable consequence of working for others.
There’s always been inescapable irony that in influencing many who are now earning a living in the media, and have tried to adopt a more sanitised version of his style, Steve may fear he inadvertently helped create a couple of the monstrosities he wanted the fanzine to rebel against.
As an out and out writer, there’s no-one better than him observing life at Liverpool FC, and it’s probably that spirit of independence which allows him to make those of us in the mainstream look so pathetically feeble in comparison.
The final page may have been turned on ‘Through the Wind and Rain,’ but it’s never been more important for voices such as Steve Kelly to be heard and pointing that poison pen where it’s deserved. I’m glad to hear he’ll continue to do so.
I just wanted to say thank you and rest in peace TTWAR.
Good luck Steve.

Chris