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KOPITES' PENALTY DREAM COMES TRUE Jimmy Rice 07 May 2009
	Two Kopites had a day to remember on Sunday when they took part in a Carlsberg half-time penalty shoot-out at Anfield.
Paul Stafford and Peterlee Pimblett are two of a team of volunteer moderators on LFC's Official Message Boards who joined Liverpoolfc.tv at the Newcastle game. The pair won the day by scoring past Academy goalkeeper Deale Chamberlain. Pimblett said: "I'm still trying to get my head round the fact I scored a penalty at Anfield in full kit and in front of the Kop. I will never forget watching the ball from my first penalty shoot into the top right-hand corner - I'm so proud of that effort. "I just hope I didn't hurt anyone to the right side of the goal with my second shot!" The volunteer moderators ensure the LFC boards are safe and enjoyable for all fans. Liverpoolfc.tv community manager Matt Owen said: "The trip was a way of saying thank you. "We wanted to give them an experience they'd remember for the rest of their lives and, thanks to Carlsberg, the main sponsor of Liverpool FC, they were able to fulfil any Liverpool supporter's dream and score a goal at the Kop end." Christina Brandis from Carlsberg added: "When we heard about the moderators' visit to Anfield we were delighted to help reward them for all their hard work. "By volunteering their help they truly represented the spirit of 'Part of the Game', so what better way to acknowledge that than by inviting them to join our penalty competition?"

(Courtesy of liverpoolfc.tv.)

Peter and I arrived at Anfield and we dropped off our bags and received our instructions from Frances Gee at the Carlsberg Suite at 12:00hrs before Pete and I went to our two allocated seats at the Annie Road end, pausing at the Hillsborough Memorial on the way surrounded by Liverpool supporters from England, as well as our fellow fans from abroad, and Newcastle supporters alike. Kick off was at 01:30 hrs against Newcastle, so at two o'clock Pete and I had to leave our seats (after we saw the first two goals from Yossi and Dirk and then later in the second half the goal by Lucas!) and leave the inside of the stadium to get around to the Carlsberg suite were Frances took us through to Brian Hall who welcomed all four of us who were taking part in the penalty shoot out, and where we then met Deale Chamberlain, our young talented goal keeper for the day. Brian handed out our kits to each of us and with his dry/wry sense of humour told us that we would be keeping the kits but we would not be keeping our balls - we all laughed, and then he said, 'The appropriate surgical procedure will take place after the penalty shootout!' Brian then led us through to a small changing room were we all very proudly donned our kits and trainers (no studded boots allowed) while Frances obtained our individual footballs for when we were kitted up.

Once kitted up we came back into the lounge near the main entrance and received our individual footballs from Frances and we were then greeted by a young lady, representing Carlsberg, who wished each of the four us good luck. Brian then told us that I would be the first one to take the first penalty kick with Peter following and then our two competition winners after that. We had to keep hold of our football and jog out to the D-section of the penalty area in front of the Kop and wait for him and our announcer on this area of the pitch. So, in order of spot kick takers we went the down the corridor and waited almost in line (we are all buzzing now!) around the corner from what proved to be the entrance to the pitch while Brian cleared things with security. Brian waved us forward and the Policeman on the right smiled and said, 'No pressure, lads!', as we turned the corner and faced the 'This Is Anfield' sign above the descending steps that led to the hallowed ground of the pitch of Anfield itself!

Personally, I inhaled a big breath of pride and my mind, as well as my heart, were now really racing as I stepped down those steps with my Liverpool FC kit on with the football in my hand and I reached up and touched the 'This Is Anfield' sign with my other hand - I welled up quite a bit as we all waited for Brian to wave us onto the pitch. He did, deep breath, and we came out from the players tunnel and I reached out to Brian and shook his hand and I said, 'Thank you for that Brian!', as I proceeded to step onto the Anfield pitch itself (it felt absolutely wonderful, it was almost surreal!) and then jogged to the the D in front of the Kop itself feeling the spring of my step reciprocated from the beautifully manicured hallowed turf - top notch work from our groundsmen it must be said and acknowledged!

After we had gathered in the D, Brian and our announcer on the pitch joined us and he explained the half time entertainment.

I was given the go ahead to put the ball on the penalty spot which was a depression in the ground of about a centimetre. This was it, I was trying not to think about the fact that nearly 45,000 people were in the Anfield stadium.

I bent down and placed the football, which felt rather light at that moment, on the spot and took a few steps backward. I moved to the left of the ball before my little run up to indicate I was going to go for the right hand corner as a preference for when I struck the ball. I was actually aiming for mid to upper centre of the net as I struck it with the base of my big toe, and what seemed like more than seconds the ball was in the back of the net!

Yes!!!!!

I got a very much appreciated, 'Yeaheyy!' from the Kop!

I was, and still am, on top of the world and still buzzing since returning home!