3 weeks ago
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The Voice of Anfield George Sephton has revealed the reasons surrounding his departure from the club.
The much-loved stadium announcer stepped down from his role after more than five decades at the end of last season, with his final game being when the Reds hosted Crystal Palace and lifted the Premier League trophy to celebrate a record-equalling 20th top-flight title.
The 79-year-old began his role in 1971 under the legendary Bill Shankly and remained a fixture at Anfield throughout the club’s golden eras of the 1970s and 1980s, witnessing firsthand four of Liverpool’s six European Cup victories during that time.
In a candid interview, Sephton has revealed who made the decision for him to hang up his microphone. When asked why he felt it was the right time to retire and who made the decision he said: "Obviously I had to finish at some time, I really wasn't thinking about going just yet.
"But then we had a meeting and it became clear that this was a good time. It is true because I mean I will be 80 next birthday which is insane for somebody doing what I've been doing. I've still got my marbles I think!
"Although I do wonder sometimes. The fact that we've won the league, the fact I've been there so long, the club offered to give me a season ticket, I was thinking I can do without all this hassle."
When he first stepped into the role of stadium announcer at Liverpool, the club had already secured seven league titles but was still awaiting its first taste of European glory.
Over the decades, he had the privilege of the best view in the house for some of the club’s most iconic nights — from the dramatic win over Saint-Étienne in 1977 to unforgettable triumphs against Chelsea in 2005, Borussia Dortmund in 2016, and Barcelona in 2019.
Throughout his time at the club, he watched some of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history take to the pitch, including Kevin Keegan, Graeme Souness, Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Alan Hansen, and Steven Gerrard.
In more recent years, modern-day icons like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have played key roles in restoring Liverpool to the summit of English football.
After the announcement about his departure, the 79-year-old added: "I've been privileged to have a front-row seat at some of the greatest occasions in football history - memories I will cherish forever.
"Anfield has been my second home for over 50 years, and I've loved every moment. But the time is right to pass the microphone on."
English (US) ·