Source: Liverpool_Echo
Rare photographs given to Liverpool FC museum by family of ex-Anfield groundsman
THE granddaughter of a former Anfield groundsman is donating rare photographs and match programmes to the LFC museum.[LNB]The collection includes a black and white image of Arthur Riley, head groundsman at Anfield for 54 years, and his team working through the night to clear snow off the pitch during the January and February 1963 big freeze.[LNB]Granddaughter Melanie Collier, 29, said: 'All the snow over Christmas reminded me about the famous picture and I dug out all the photos.[LNB]'My grandmother Rose, who lived in Anfield all her life before recently moving to a nursing home in Toxteth, has told me all the stories about life under Shankly.[LNB]'My grandad Arthur took over the job as head groundsman from his dad Herbert Riley.[LNB]'For our family LFC was a way of life.[LNB]'All the family and people from the streets around the ground helped the club as much as possible.[LNB]'My grandfather led a team of staff and volunteers working throughout the night during the big freeze to get the ground ready for the game on the following day against Aston Villa.[LNB]'The photograph captures the team spirit of the game during an era when Shankly had everybody motivated who worked for him.[LNB]'My nan became his wife's cleaner and during close season led a family team of her two sisters and sister-in-law to scrub by hand each and every seat and standing area on the terraces ready for the new season.[LNB]'My grandfather's sister Hilda also did some of the catering at Anfield.
