Liverpool, with legendary names headed by Keegan and Dalglish, were the 1970s powerhouse when the iconic TV sports package Match of the Day and its presenter Brian Moore spread a Sunday lunchtime soccer gospel in New Zealand.
The red tide evaporated after the 1989/90 season, when Liverpool won the last of 18 titles, replaced by a tsunami from Manchester. The mystical reputation survived, but Liverpool kept failing in the super-rich EPL, while dealing with the tragic aftermath of Heysel and Hillsborough, plus bitter ownership problems.
"What is NZ's obsession with English club soccer? There is seldom anything about the much more exciting Spanish, Italian and German leagues," a Herald reader asked.
British migration, language, the EPL phenomenon and the traditions started by The Big Match provide a few answers. Back in the day, English soccer and its singing crowds were the exotic sport on television, when other leagues and overseas sports remained hidden. Soccer also excites a passion largely missing from our rugby stands. One Auckland-based supporter from China has even changed his name by deed poll to Liverpool.
"People moan to me about the lack of goals in soccer. But there is such an outpouring when someone does score," says Carroll, a 46-year-old civil engineer and ex-Glenfield Rovers player, of the fervour.
"Maybe it is the nature of the game. Maybe it is the nature of the people who go. New Zealanders are more reserved than the English."
Carroll, who arrived in New Zealand from Liverpool aged 4, naturally assumed the red colours. His father and brother later revealed they were an Everton family. "Once I made the decision, there was no way back," says Carroll.
John Corson, the Dunedin man who started the supporters club around 2002, was a social welfare kid who moved homes a lot. He didn't get much chance to latch on to English soccer via TV in his formative teens but Corson, a club player, got the bug anyway. A house husband, he spends 25 hours a week working on the club, which has an impressive 450 members although it is boutique by world standards. Members include 91-year-old Mosgiel Liverpudlian Joe O'Brien who - as Corson says with awe - met the father of Liverpool dominance Bill Shankly.
The 50-year-old has health issues but concedes the Liverpool commitment influences his decision not to return to work. His show budgies breeding operation might go, Liverpool never will.
"We are the biggest supporters club in the country by far and a lot of it has to do with the way Liverpool played in the 1970s. They were so dynamic. They won so many titles," Corson says. "You can't call this a dream come true - we've won so many before. If we do win the title though it will be very intense."
Fans or fantasy
• Manchester United claim that market research show they have 659 million fans worldwide, with half of those in the Asia Pacific region. Many have scoffed at this figure, which was produced just before their initial public offering on the New York stock market.
• Liverpool are more modest, claiming only 588 million "potential fans", backed by the sturdier figure of more than 200 offical supporters' clubs in 50-plus countries.
• One independant market survey claimed Manchester United had 354 million fans, Barcelona 270 million, Real madrid 174 million, Chelsea 135 million and Liverpool 71 million.
