Official Liverpool Supporters' Club KZN moves to new venue after 13 years

AFTER 13 memorable years at the Britannia, The Official Liverpool Supporters' Club KZN moves to their new home at TSD Ultra Lounge on Chris Hani Road.

Liverpool fan and venue owner Sagie Moodley has created a space that mirrors the warmth of Anfield, with the club's first woman chairperson Debbie Naidoo leading this exciting new chapter.

Moodley, a former soccer player, has been a devoted Liverpool fan since the tender age of 10. Under Moodley's stewardship, TSD aims to reflect the warmth and camaraderie reminiscent of Anfield, Liverpool's iconic home ground.

Naidoo, the first woman chairperson of The Official Liverpool Supporters' Club KZN, said, as with all businesses, organisations, clubs, and individuals, the main focus was on growth. The new base, she added, was a place they could call home.

"Calling a place home means it is a venue to gather to watch games, socialise, sing our Liverpool songs and war cries, laugh and celebrate over wins, cry over our losses, gather as a family, host our quarterly meetings, AGMs and use it as a base to organise our social responsibility events and excursions.

"Our committee looked hard and quite painstakingly at other venues, but none were as welcoming as TSD. At the onset, Sagie was as enthusiastic about making TSD a home for the supporters club as we were about finding a place we could call home. A bonus for us is that Sagie is also a die-hard Liverpool supporter and he embraced the club and our vision with open arms. He has given us carte blanche to decorate the area allocated to us and, of course, in good taste, to make it feel as Anfield proud as possible.

“Sagie immediately came to the party by investing in a huge projector screen on which we can watch our games. Late night games will also be shown, which I know will make our members happy,” she said.

"We are in the process of installing a Championship Wall (wallpaper) in time for the launch on February 8. Members will also get a chance to touch the famous 'This is Anfield' frame. The place will be made to look as Liverpool friendly as possible with banners, balloons and flags flying high. Long term, we have a double wall 'Welcome to TSD Home of the Official Liverpool Supporters’ Club KZN' with a collage of pictures planned, a Legends Wall, beer on tap which Sagie has already ordered, a special Liverpool menu, Liverpool tablecloths, hosting other clubs for special inter club social evenings, fundraisers etc."

The supporters club was founded in 2013 by friends Linus Naik and Shahil Lachman.Naik had previously been a member of the Cape Town and Johannesburg supporters’ clubs and, after moving to Durban in 2012, realised there was not an official one on the east coast. Together with Lachman, they put in the groundwork to set up a supporters’ club in the city.

"The vision was to have a ‘home’ for all Liverpool fans to watch games together and sing along with the KOP. In addition, we do whatever we can to support our local community, under a Liverpool banner."

In 2013, a formal steering committee was voted in with Linus as the first elected chairman. The club also put in an application for official registration with Anfield. The official title was awarded for the 2014/2015 season and has been carried through to present day. This means that the club has access to home seating for games at Anfield."

The former chairpersons were Linus Naik, William Broli, Ingesund Govindsamy, Rangesan Vandeyar, Mahesh Parekh, Prakash Nanjee and Himesh Pragjee.

Naidoo, who has been a member since 2018 and on the supporters club committee since 2023, was elected chairperson following an AGM last July.

The supporters club has 147 registered members for season 2025/2026. Of these 33 are female.

"Covid-19 affected our membership, but we are recovering well with our numbers now doubling each year."

Naidoo said a satellite branch was recently launched in Ladysmith under the chairmanship of Vinesh Moodley.

"A group of eight die-hard supporters in Ladysmith used to meet unofficially from May 2018 to watch the games and socialise in the spirit of Liverpool. One of the gentlemen, Baal Dewchand, contacted us and enquired about making their group official as they were growing in numbers and wanted to take the unofficial club to the next step. 

"Since we represent KZN, as registered geographically with Anfield, we agreed that they become a satellite branch. We guided them on the process, and after a few meetings and earnest commitment from the supporters, a branch was officially opened in July 2025. It now boasts a membership of 28 officially registered members."

Naidoo said there was a keen interest from Pietermaritzburg, Durban North and Port Shepstone to form similar branches.

"We will be looking into these areas once we have settled in at TSD."

Asked what being "official" meant as a supporter club, Naidoo explained: "We are registered to and recognised by the Hierarchy at Liverpool Football Club up at Anfield Merseyside. As such we have to abide by the rules and regulations set out by Anfield, Liverpool and whatever we do has to be vetoed by them. Our secretary, Mahesh Parekh, liaises directly with them, sending through the minutes of our AGMs. Our code of conduct and constitution is guided by the requirements from Anfield, Merseyside. We also enjoy the privilege of receiving match day home game tickets as distributed by Anfield, Liverpool."

She encouraged Liverpool supporters to join them at TSD this Sunday.

Moodley, 60, who played soccer for New Orleans FC and Greenwood Wanderers FC, said a lot of his friends would head for the venue on match day and via their collaboration, they hoped to grow the supporters' club membership.

Anyone wishing to attend will have to include their name on the supporters' club register in advance by WhatsApping or calling 076 290 5015 to reserve a seat. They will be signing up new members from 5pm to 6pm and after the game. Take along your proof of address, and they will also assist you to register to the Anfield Reds Membership for free. 

THE POST