The ‘magic’ of living along Liverpool FC’s parade route

When Liverpool FC win a major trophy, one of the longest roads in the city is transformed.

Queens Drive, which stretches 10 miles (16.1km) from Sefton Park in the city’s south to Walton in the north, traditionally hosts large parts of any open-top bus parades for Anfield’s conquering heroes.

On Monday, Reds lucky enough to live close to the route are planning to host friends and family from across the country, fire up their barbecues and join the crowds of hundreds of thousands just outside their doorsteps.

And preparations begin weeks in advance.

Perhaps nowhere in the city is more ready than to celebrate than a terrace of seven properties along Queens Drive, as it passes through Stoneycroft.

Each home has been decked in flags, banners and red bunting since it became clear Liverpool were going to emerge as Premier League champions for the second time in five years.

Vicky Potter, who lives in one of the homes, told the BBC there was no co-ordinated effort – all the neighbours just happened to be on the same page.

“It’s always the same every year, we’re all just Reds along here so everyone does it naturally to be honest,” the 37-year-old said.

“When we go down the Drive we always look to see if there is any other blocks like ours but there never is.”

For mum-of-two Naomi Dunne, who lives just off Queens Drive in Wavertree, another major celebration is a chance to “show off the city”.

“Liverpool still does have a bit of a reputation in some parts of the country”, she said.

She said: “I think actually it just shows we’re a fantastic city, Eurovision two years ago showed that when there’s something to celebrate, we celebrate it well.

“We’ve friends coming up from London to stay, we’ve had a couple of other friends asking if they can come and stay as well from Middlesbrough.”

For her children, she said the chance to see their heroes up close in their own neighbourhood is “just magic”.

The 41-year-old said: “I can remember being in Year 11 and that parade [For the 2001 treble trophy winning season] and the emotion around it and being overwhelmed.

“For my kids to get to experience that as well. It’s really important for them to see the team winning.”

Liverpool have had more opportunities for this kind of celebration over the decades than the average English football club.

But there have also been long fallow periods, including a 30-year wait for the league title before the pandemic season in 2019/20, which could not be celebrated with a parade due to lockdown measures.

Phil Cross, 41, who lives on Queens Drive, said he expected Monday’s party to be “quite emotional”.

“You get all the old timers who’ve been there done that, and then you get them from up the East Lancs [The Manchester clubs] rubbing it in our face for the past 20 years, now it’s our time to shine again I think, I love it.

“We never got to celebrate the last one properly.”

Chris de Asha, who lives in Childwall a short walk from Queens Drive, said he had vivid memories of celebrations as a child in the 1970s.

“When I was younger, to be fair, it was second nature”, he said, adding that he other fans “took it for granted in a way”.

But now Mr de Asha said there will be no danger of overlooking the significance of Monday.

“I think as you’re driving round the city you can see even more flags get the sense of excitement and relief that Liverpool are winning leagues again and we’re back on track.”

Rachel Roberts said she and her three children plan to watch the parade before heading to her sister-in-law’s house for a “Liverpool party” complete with bouncy castle.

She said: “We’re going to make the most of it, because you don’t know how long you’re going to wait again for it to happen.”

John Pout, 61, said he and his family are planning to host a barbecue early on at his son and daughter-in-law’s home yards from the parade route before heading to the city centre.

“I think too many kids in particular don’t get chance to get inside Anfield to see the game and so for them to see their heroes in the flesh with the trophy it’s just amazing,” he said.

“Seeing people hanging off lamp-posts and the flares it’s just going to be fantastic.”

Some Queens Drive businesses like Vape store Fuel Vapours in Old Swan, are aiming to taking advantage of the parade’s business opportunities.

The shop, on Derby Lane, has been transformed into a sea of red and white with flags, banners, scarves, posters, noise-makers and t-shirts.

Sean Cox, however, whose family run the business, is an Evertonian.

“It’s good for the city isn’t it, whether you’re a red or a blue. There’s a lot of things happening, a lot of opportunities for people”, he said.

“People are very excited for the parade and the last game of the season.”

He said he would be in the shop on Monday “to take the money off the Kopites while we can!”

Further along Derby Lane, trophy sellers Trophies for All is also cashing in on the celebratory mood.

One staff member, Hope, said: “It’s been quite busy, everyone’s just really excited, really interested. It’s been a really good thing for the business.

The open-top bus parade is scheduled to start at 14:30 BST on Monday from Allerton Maze, and will progress over the next several hours to Blundell Street in the city centre.