This is the issue. In any 2+ team city (except Glasgow), your stature is nearly always tied into the relative success of you and your neighbour(s). Upto 1970 we were comfortably the bigger club in the city. I think that our average gate for the whole of the 60s was literally only a few hundred less than the "Busby-Babe" descended and European cup winning Man Utd of Charlton, Best and Law for the same decade. Our Average position in the all-time Average attendance league table was higher than everyone. Our descent after 1970 was only matched by LFC's rise. Increasingly, the mid-80s success feels more and more like an anomaly. Like a final victory of a fading heavy-weight, while he at least still possessed some of the hallmarks of his former greatness. 30+ years of managed decline and basic mismanagement has almost fully hollowed out the carcass. For a long time now, all that we've had is a good sized, but aging fanbase, living in an ancient, but massively iconic/historic stadium, that can famously become an absolute bearpit when occasions demand. We're about to undergo a substantial rebrand at the new place.... let's hope it's a major resuscitation too. What the last 20+ years has taught me is that even relative minnows can grow into substantial clubs..... maybe sleeping decrepit giants can reclaim former glories too.
