Nine years to the day since the momentous 2006 FA Cup final, Liverpudlian writer and lifelong Red Dave Kirby has released a video of his previously unseen poem, 'A Lad from Huyton'.

The playwright hopes that the joint-production with LFCTV will prove a fitting tribute to Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, as he nears the end of his incredible Anfield career.

He said: “After King Kenny I never thought I’d see another world class genius and legendary leader who embodies the football club both on and off the field. But from 1998 a young lad from Huyton set about changing that.

"The success and joy Stevie has brought us during the last 17 years will live long in our memories. Istanbul will obviously always be right up there, as will the treble-winning year of 2001.

"But in 2006, in Cardiff, we witnessed the ultimate performance from a true genius to claim our seventh FA Cup. I grew up hearing stories about the legendary Sir Stanley Matthews and the 1953 FA Cup final that was named after him. I didn’t know back then that one day I’d be privileged to witness what’s now become known as 'The Gerrard Final'."

Kirby first wrote the poem back in 2010 but it has remained under wraps – from the public at least – until today. As he explained: “When Stevie was out injured a few years ago, as one of the LFC family, I decided to lift his spirits by writing a piece for him called 'A Lad from Huyton'. LFC TV got the piece framed for me and I dropped it off at Melwood. Stevie rang me later and was truly made up with it. Until now only myself, Stevie and LFC TV had seen the piece.

"Then recently I met LFC TV with the view of sharing the piece with our extended global LFC family with visuals and music accompanying me narrating the words, similar to the piece we made in 2012 entitled: 'Footsteps of our Fathers'. The result is 'A Lad from Huyton'. I know Stevie will love it and we intend to present him & his family with copies.

"Watching Stevie over the past 17 years has been a privilege and honour. I just hope that one day a certain ‘lad from Huyton’ returns to the club just like his idol King Kenny.”

You can watch the video of the poem for free below:

Watch the video here »

A LAD FROM HUYTON



Liverpool FC have seen great days

In FA Cup finals that have blown us away

Rushie – Keegan - Ian St John

Or little Michael Owen in 2001

But in 2006 we witnessed a dream

As a special player entered the scene

A player who’s become an all-time great

A lad from a Liverpool council estate

Sometimes it’s hard to put into words

When something magical has occurred

At the time...you don’t realise

That history’s unfolding before your eyes

But down in Cardiff one sunny day

History was made in a special way

Like the Matthews final in 53

2006 was the final...of Stevie G

We’ve seen some great players in our time

Players who go beyond that line

The type that never try to hide

The type who play with fire and pride

That kind of passion just can’t be bought

It can’t be coached and it can’t be taught

It’s working class – it’s raw – it’s mean

It’s a lad from Huyton...who loves his team

We didn’t think we were gonna win it

We even said a prayer in that last minute

Then a saviour came and set us free

A saviour by the name...of Stevie G

It was like a vision from a dream

One of the finest goals we’ve ever seen

We felt as though we were floating away

We knew from that moment, it was our day

Cometh the hour cometh the man

Cometh the life-long Liverpool fan

Cometh the kid who once stood on the kop

Cometh our seventh...FA Cup

In years to come we’ll always look back

To those times in Cardiff, the laughs, the crack

Four major trophies...great city, great buzz

The Millennium stadium was good to us

But of all those times, there’s one special day

2006...the 13th of May

The most complete performance ever seen

By a lad from Huyton...who reigns...supreme

Dave Kirby - @davekirby01