Who Was Liverpool’s First Away Supporter in Europe?

Thousands follow Liverpool across Europe every season, but have you ever wondered who was the first?

It is almost impossible to definitively say who was Liverpool’s first away supporter in Europe, but Anthony Dunn of West Derby could stake a good claim to the title. His story involves tea with Bill Shankly and the Liverpool team, a late hotel change and a chat with Roger Hunt. Unfortunately, Tony Dunn isn’t around to tell his story anymore, but his son, David, has made sure to pass the tale on.

Travelling solo to Nantes

Tony Dunn is pictured to the right on this photograph, in the players’ lounge with his newborn daughter, wife and John Barnes in 1989.

It was 1960 and Liverpool were taking part in the Anglo-Franco-Scottish Friendship Cup or, to put it simply, a friendly tournament. Bill Shankly‘s team travelled to play Nantes on August 11, in front of around 3,000 supporters, just one was Red. That man was Tony, whom his son, David, believed hitchhiked his way from Liverpool to Northern France. David told This Is Anfield: “I’m not sure he told his parents his final destination but somehow he got from Liverpool to Nantes the day before the friendly was planned.

“He had booked into one hotel but when he found out the team were staying somewhere different, he checked into their hotel instead.” When he arrived at the Stade Marcel-Saupin, Tony found he was the only person in the away end.

After watching Liverpool beat Nantes 2–0, with goals from Roger Hunt and Kevin Lewis, “Shankly came over to him to ask him to join the team for dinner,” his son continued. “Dad obviously gleefully accepted. I remember him talking about sitting with Hunt, who had joined the summer before, but I’m not sure who else