Josh Woods, a lifelong Liverpool fan, prepares to play at Anfield for Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup, fulfilling a childhood dream against the Reds.
Josh Woods, a lifelong Liverpool fan, is to live his childhood dream when he takes to the Anfield pitch for Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round. Two months ago, he was in the Kop watching the team win the Champions League over Bayer Leverkusen while singing his heart out to “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” On Sunday, he will be returning to those same stands, but this time, he will be on the pitch and playing against the Premier League leaders.
A Dream Come True
The 24-year-old forward has always been an ardent admirer of Liverpool legends Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. The passion for the club runs deep, influenced by both his father, Dale, who was a steward at Anfield, as well as his brother Connor, who was once in the Liverpool academy. Woods recalls the day he jumped on the Anfield pitch as a child after his brother played an academy match there. “I was just running around in circles while my parents yelled at me to get off,” he chuckled.
Josh Woods’ story from the barbering shop to the professional footballer is incredible. Having been meant to become a barber, Woods was spotted at Clay Brow for Skelmersdale. At 12 years of age, he started cutting hair, and with that money, he supported Liverpool. “I never thought that I would turn out to be a professional footballer,” he said. But he found out his abilities when he joined his friends playing after school.
Liverpool vs. Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley ahead of the match with Liverpool, and Woods said, “Every time I watch Liverpool, I always think to myself, ‘I’d love to play at Anfield one day.’ Now it’s about to happen.” Accrington is placed 19th in League Two, while Liverpool is six points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Woods noted that despite the odds, the team is looking forward to showcasing their skills on such a grand stage. “This match holds great importance for me,” he stated. “It’s going to be a special day, but we know we’re there to do our jobs.”
Anticipation and Support
The tension for the match is felt among players and fans. Accrington’s average attendance this season was about 2,434 but they are anticipating a much larger crowd at Anfield as fans travel from east Lancashire. Woods’ reaction to the FA Cup draw went viral on social media when a clip showed him jumping off his sofa in excitement.
“This week is going to be significant for us,” Woods said. “It still feels surreal at this moment.” As he prepares for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he remains focused on performing well for his team while cherishing the experience of playing at Anfield. Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on current news reports and interviews with Josh Josh Woods leading up to the FA Cup match between Accrington Stanley and Liverpool.
