Scouser Tommies Podcast Shares Grief and Gratitude for Diogo Jota
The latest episode of Scouser Tommies on Anfield Index offered an emotionally charged reflection on Liverpool's heartbreaking summer, following the tragic and unexpected passing of Diogo Jota. Hosted by Jim Boardman and Jay Reid, the podcast was a poignant listen, honouring not only the life of a beloved player but also the collective grief shared across the Liverpool community.
Grief Beyond the Pitch
Jim Boardman opened with a deeply personal moment, sharing the compounded sorrow he experienced after losing his nephew shortly before the news of Jota's death broke. 'It coincided like a week before my nephew suddenly passed away,' he revealed. That double blow made the grief even harder to process, and as Jim admitted, 'I was struggling to even talk about it out loud to people at the time.'
Jota's death reverberated throughout the Liverpool fanbase, and both hosts spoke to the strange but very real bond that supporters feel with players. 'You don't know them in real life, so to speak,' said Jim, 'but the loss still feels strong.' It was a reminder of the emotional investment fans give to the game and those who represent the club.
Liverpool's Response: Dignified and Compassionate
One thing both Jim and Jay were united on was praise for how the club responded to the tragedy. 'I honestly can't fault the way Liverpool handled it,' Jim said, recalling how the official club website quietly paused all other stories, replacing the front page with tributes and respect. 'There's not been any hurriedness, any rushedness,' he added. 'They've allowed the players and staff to come to terms with it.'
Jay Reid echoed that admiration, highlighting the wider football community's support. 'I saw so many different coloured shirts and flags and scarves that weren't Liverpool ones,' Jim noted, underlining the solidarity shown by fans from clubs like Everton, Man United, Chelsea and Man City.
The emotional impact went beyond Anfield too. Jay recalled attending an Oasis gig in Manchester, where the band played 'Live Forever' in tribute to Jota. 'I found myself emotional over a Liverpool player,' he admitted, describing it as 'a real touch of class.'
Retiring the Number 20 Shirt
As tributes continued to pour in, conversation turned to the symbolic gesture of retiring Jota's squad number. Jim, who had always resisted the idea in the past, said he'd changed his stance. 'This is the absolutely perfect way to do it,' he stated. 'No one would want to take that number anyway.'
Jay added, 'This year will never be forgotten for so many reasons, but the number 20 now will always be synonymous with Jota—and rightly so.'
Moving Forward, Together
Despite the sadness, the podcast ended with a call to keep moving forward in the spirit of unity. 'Diogo would want us to enjoy the season,' said Jim. Jay spoke of how Liverpool's next successes would now take on new meaning. 'There'll be no better tribute if the club go on and achieve success next season because it will be emotionally driven in Jota's honour and in memory.'
Liverpool, under Arne Slot, are already Premier League champions. But as Jay pointed out, 'The best tribute from this club is doing stuff on the pitch.' And if this past summer has shown anything, it's that the bond between the club, its players, and its supporters remains one of the strongest in football.
As Jim concluded, 'Thanks to Liverpool for being such an amazing club.'
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