A former regional press sports journalist has had his first book published about a year in the life of his beloved Liverpool Football Club.

Chris Shaw, pictured left, has written Our Liverpool after spending 12 months speaking to fellow supporters across the world about their love for the club.

The book is written from a fan’s perspective and includes interviews with the club’s followers on Merseyside, around the UK and as far afield as Sydney, Cape Town and Shanghai.

Chris, who is now a lecturer in PR at the University of Central Lancashire, was a journalist with the Press Association from 1997-99 and before that spent six years on the sports desk of the Lancashire Evening Post.

He said: “During the time I researched this book, Liverpool supporters lived through seismic events on and off the field.

“What struck me most was the fierce pride our fans have in their team, even when it is not fully deserved.

“Many fans are spending 20-30 hours or more a week following their team in various ways and the most loyal supporters spend up to £4,000 per season.”

During Chris’ research for the book, he joined a group of Liverpudlians on an annual friendship trip to Mönchengladbach, met supporters in the USA, heard the Spirit of Shankly Supporters’ Union make its case for greater fan representation at Anfield and spoke to a season ticket holder who gave it all up to follow non-League club AFC Liverpool.

Chris, 44, was born and bred in Liverpool and went to his first match at Anfield in 1973.

Our Liverpool is now on sale at amazon.com.