Liverpool FC Forum

[mottman]

For pics go to:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N143858040217-1527.htm

Liverpoolfc.tv are proud to announce the launch of the RAOTL Auction in association with Parkinson's. Supporters can bid for some great items and raise money at the same time.

http://forums.liverpoolfc.tv/Forum3/HTML/224991.html

1. A framed Liverpool shirt signed by members of the 2002/03 Squad plus the Worthington Cup Final Programme v Manchester United. Signatures include Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Danny Murphy, Sami Hyypia, Jerzy Dudek and others.

Donated by Liverpool Football Club

Minimum Bid: £200

2. The training top worn by Markus Babbel during Treble season

Donated by Liverpoolfc.tv's Paul Rogers

Minimum Bid: £20

3. A Liverpool Legends shirt signed by members of the 2003 Asia Touring Party [one of only fifty shirts]. Signatures Include: Roy Evans, Bruce Grobbelaar, Gary Gillespie, Alan Kennedy, John Wark, Rob Jones, David Johnson and Michael Thomas [plus a letter of authenticity from Mr Rick Parry, Chief Executive of Liverpool FC]

Donated by Rick Parry

Minimum Bid: £50

4. A framed Arsenal shirt signed By members Of The 2002/03 Squad plus the FA Cup Final Programme v Southampton. Signatures include Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and David Seaman.

Donated by Arsenal Football Club

Minimum Bid: £200

5. A Selection Of framed Ray Kennedy pictures signed by the Photographer Steve Hale.

Donated by Steve Hale

Minimum Bid: £10 each

Bids now welcome. You can either e-mail your bid to RAOTL c/o
john@raotl.org or post it to RAOTL c/o PO Box 296, Loughborough, LE11 4ZR

Please Include With Your Bid A Contact Phone Number Or Address.

6. A Sporting Raffle
Prizes include:
First prize - A Selection Of Liverpool Retro Shirts;
Other prizes - 'Great Managers' DVD (Donated By Granada)
A Selection Of Books including, 'The Liverpool Collection' (Donated By Breedon Books), 'The Sami Hyypia Story' (Donated By Mainstream Publishing), 'The Green Line' (Signed copies donated by Radio Five commentator Alan Green), plus a signed copy of the CD 'Liverpool, Attack, Attack, Attack' (Donated By Members Of The Antenna Band),
a signed copy of the video 'Liverpool Football Club 501 Goals' signed by four former players including Ian St John And Ian Callaghan.
Books of tickets will be available by the end of February and will be priced at £1 per Ticket.

If you want to help by selling tickets please get in touch with RAOTL by e-mail to john@raotl.org or by post to RAOTL, PO Box 296, Loughborough, LE11 4ZR or speak with a member of the RAOTL Gang usually found hovering around flagpole corner.

Further details in future issues of RAOTL and on Liverpool websites.
Inspired by Ray Kennedy, the Liverpool legend and Muhammad Ali, the greatest heavyweight champion of all time.

RAOTL wish to thank Liverpool FC for their continued support.

We have had no bids for the Framed Arsenal Shirt as yet, but we will be hoping to go on some Arsenal websites this week.

We could have further items on offer very soon.
Closing Date For This Auction Is March 17th 2004

Thank you for your interest and support

John Pearman; Editor Red All Over The Land; A Liverpool Fanzine
PO Box 296; Loughborough; LE 11 4ZR.


There are some Reds out there who don't know that Ray Kennedy has been suffering from Parkinsons Disease for over 20 years. I only found out about this when I read this on RAOTL a few years ago.

http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/bob.dunning/where13.htm.
Ray Kennedy

This picture and article appeared in 12 May, 2001 Cup Final edition of 'The Mirror'.

'Make the most of your big day, life can change at any minute'
by Simon Bird.

Ray Kennedy

THE memories of golden years with Arsenal and Liverpool still burn brightly in Ray Kennedy's eyes. :

Triumph was never far away during his illustrious career .As a teenager he helped Arsenal to FA Cup glory and their famous 1971 Double. And his determined midfield battling anchored Liverpool as they conquered Europe and collected medals at will. But today courageous , Kennedy is a shadow of the giant who strode football's greatest stages bringing , trophies to Highbury and Anfield.

He cuts a tragic figure as he bravely fights the ravages of Parkinson's Disease, living alone in a bungalow in the Tyneside coastal village of New Hartley.But Kennedy , 49, is refusing to give in. Cup Final day is still a big event in the Kennedy household:

Once he proudly marched up the Wembley steps to lift the FA Cup, but today will be a triumph if he is well enough to get out of bed to watch the two clubs he loves on TV. Kennedy's fight against Parkinson's puts the losers 'tears and winners' hype of Cup Final day into stark perspective.
For his story is a reminder to today's millionaire stars how quickly and drastically life can change. And it's a warning to sulky prima donnas that there is more to life than money, medals and the next big contract. This forgotten hero shows no bitterness, only joy, as he proudly plays a video of his greatest goals and medal winning performances.

He loses balance as he clambers off his sofa and staggers towards the television. And these days even pressing the button on the remote control is a struggle. As he watched film of himself scoring 30-yard spectaculars, he admits: "I can't believe that is me. I look at myself now and wonder how I did it and what this terrible disease has done to me."

But Kennedy is not after pity or sympathy. He soldiers on, an inspiration even now as he fights a battle he can't win with good humour and honesty. Old team-mates, including best pal Jimmy Case, Charlie George and George Graham, keep in regular touch.

But at times, Kennedy admits to feeling cut off from his old friends and the footballing life he enjoyed. "I would just love to be in Cardiff watching but I couldn't trust myself," he said. "I could be having a falling over day and I'd hate for people to see me like that.
"I can't make any plans like going to watch football live. I just hope I'll be having a good day and able to catch it on television. It's just so frustrating. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

"I take 29 pills a day to control the symptoms, sometimes up to 50. The side-effects are awful. That's what I can't deal with. I can't stop myself jumping around or get my balance right. Some days I'm not too bad and I can get by. But then there are times when I just have to stay in bed knocked out by the pills. It's difficult to get the right combination:'
Last week Kennedy spent four days in bed unable to get up, but was yesterday well enough to look forward to the football highlight of his year "I'm like a kid," he said. "I'll try to get sat down for 11 am and see all the build-up, if I'm having one of my good days.

"It is impossible for me to choose between the two clubs. I love them both. It will be great to see either of them win.It is about time someone else won a Cup.He didn't realise it at the time. but the onset of Parkinson.s hit him during the last spell of his trophy. You get a bit sick of seeing Man United clean up."

As a 16-year-old, Kennedy was plucked from New Hartley's junior team and given his big chance with Arsenal. He went on to play 17 times for England, won five League Championships, three European Cup winner's medals plus FA Cup, UEFA Cup and European Super Cup medals.
Later he became a Bill Shankly signing at Anfield, and went on to win every medal apart from the European Cup Winners' Cup. He didn't realise it at the time. but the onset of Parkinson's hit him during the last spell of his career, at Swansea. Fetching a picture from his sideboard, Kennedy proudly tells of his meeting with Mohammedl Ali, another sporting great to be struck by Parkinson's. He would be too modest to admit it, but he's a fighter in his own right.


It truly is heart-breaking to read that Ray has had to sell all his European medals.