Liverpool Football Club investigating loyalist flute band parade in Anfield grounds

LIVERPOOL Football Club has launched an investigation into how a loyalist flute band paraded through the grounds of Anfield.

Video footage emerged of Glendermott Valley Flute Band, based in the Tullyally area near Derry, passing through the gates of the venue while playing an instrumental version of the ‘Billy Boys’.

The song has been previously banned at Scottish football grounds and Linfield matches in Northern Ireland due to sectarian associations, with versions including the lyrics “up to our knees in fenian blood”.

Speaking to the Irish News, a spokesman for the Derry Official Liverpool Supporters Club said they had made an official complaint to Liverpool Football Club who informed them they had not given permission and were investigating.

“As an Irish Catholic Liverpool supporter, the music they were playing was of a sectarian nature,” he said.

“Talking about killing Catholics, up to their knees in fenian blood. Liverpool has a huge Irish following so it’s bound to upset some people.

“I’ve no issue with parades, but not through an establishment like Liverpool Football Club.”

Quoting the response the supporters club received from Liverpool FC, he said: “We are aware that a group that (normally) marches around the Anfield area in July, but we were not aware and have not approved this March on Saturday.

“We have been informed that this march changes its route each year. Liverpool Football Club did not provide permission for this march to be held on the private property area in Anfield stadium.

“We will investigate this matter from a safety and security perspective and take any further appropriate actions.”

The Derry club’s spokesman added: “There is an open walkway at Anfield for fans or visitors, but not for a sectarian march regardless of where they’re from.

“Whether it’s an orange or a republican march, it still shouldn’t happen.

“I know Liverpool city has a big Orange Order following, but could you imagine an orange march going through Cliftonville’s grounds in Belfast or the Brandywell up in Derry or even a republican march going through Windsor Park? It wouldn’t happen.”

He continued: “I go over to Anfield regularly and have protestant friends I would drink with before the games.

“There’s never any sectarian element at the games like Rangers or Celtic, everybody gets on.

“Another thing is the amount of Irish Catholic players that Liverpool has had over the years, so something like this is obviously going to bring a lot of tension to the supporters.”

Liverpool Football Club and Glendermott Valley Flute Band have also been contacted for responses.

Earlier in the week, a spokesperson for the the Apprentice Boys of Derry told The Irish News they were not formally associated with Glendermott Valley Flute Band and had no part in any decision to parade through Anfield.