just wanted to say thanks to steve kelly and ttwar

[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

[coop]

Good read Chris.

I think many share your sentiments in that its a sad day when a popular fanzine has to call time on its publication.

Steve should continue writing exactly as he always has done and should never change, hopefully this will be the case.

Great non use of the Enter key as well there Chris

[dave u]

Originally Posted by chrisb

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’.

Yep, guilty as charged.

[goatboy59]

Gay!

[dave u]

Originally Posted by chrisb

As an out and out writer, there’s no-one better than him

Originally Posted by goatboy59

Gay!

Hmmm, perhaps it is time to hang up the keyboard after all

[navbasi]

A question to you Chris - Do you think when you've finally put the lid on your pen for the last time that being an editor of a fanzine would be something you would consider?

[aws]

TTWR was a great read but that editor was a miserable twat at the best of times.

[DT]

Originally Posted by dave u

Hmmm, perhaps it is time to hang up the keyboard after all

Keyboard? TTWAR was written by hand. That's why they could only do four a year.

[dave u]

Originally Posted by DT

Keyboard? TTWAR was written by hand. That's why they could only do four a year.

Yeah I bet it's a real bastard carrying those stone tablets to the printers.

[goatboy59]

Save it for your fanzine, Oscar!

[Fallen Angel]

Nice one Chris, needed to be said that.

I used to write for TTWAR for a period of about 18 months but then lost all inspiration (Cheers Hou). best of luck SK

[Spy Bee]

Interestingly reflective.

[Rashid]

Originally Posted by aws

TTWR was a great read but that editor was a miserable twat at the best of times.

You mean he didn't say what you wanted to hear? Or didn't pander to the people you like at the club?

Steve Kelly was the only person that kept me sane during the Houllier years. I was near suicidal.

[discuit]

Nice read that, Are there any plans to bring out the old diaries in book form?

Seems Ideal holiday reading tackle.

[Paul]

*Whoosh*

The sound of aws' post flying over Rash's head.

[nimrod]

Originally Posted by Paul

*Whoosh*

The sound of aws' post flying over Rash's head.

That`s it, no sense of humour and no tact.
Thanks Steve Kelly and TTWAR . . . Vox Populi.

[real red]

Good luck Steve, whatever you find you end up doing. Would be good if the old fanzines, or parts of them, could be put into a book or books, a bit like Viz used to do when it was worth reading.

Originally Posted by coop

Great non use of the Enter key as well there Chris

MS Word (whatever the latest version is) does that to you. Stupid piece of crap that it is!

[King Emlyn]

Ste Kelly is a legend. Good luck with the future mate.

[goatboy59]

[John Gallagher]

Great reading material since I regularly started buying it in 92-93. I think the first one I bought was the one with Elvis Presley on crutches on the front with a gag about him doing the injury at Melwood as at the time under Souness we had players breaking down with achilles injuries with an unnerving regularity.