Jason Samuels: Once a Red, Always a Red

Steven Gerrard scored a hat-trick as Liverpool defeated Aston Villa 5-0 at Anfield in March 2009.

Among the over 44,000 spectators stood a young man, he was Jason Samuels.

The lad from Seremban, Malaysia passed away three days after the match—his one and only visit to Anfield. Jason was only 19 then.

I only found out the news this evening, as I flipped through the pages of New Straits Times.

I have no idea why this came out on paper so many months after his death. Had I known him earlier, I would've paid him a visit.

Jason suffered from muscular dystrophy—a kind of disease that weakens the muscles that move the body. Therefore, he had to start using wheelchair at the age of 11.

His contractor father William, engraved his son's tombstone with two Liverpool emblems, because he wanted Jason to be remembered as a Liverpool supporter.

"It was always Jason's dream to watch a Liverpool match at the club's home ground in Anfield stadium, England, known as the Kop," his 46-year-old father said.

"Football was his life because he did not have any other form of entertainment and was too weak to play games.

"He never missed a Liverpool match on TV and even recorded the scores in his scrapbook, which we still keep in his bedroom.

"The tombstone columns have small round balls to signify footballs. I painted it red as Liverpool's home jersey is red," added William.

William's wife, Shanthi Raman then added that Jason had to stop schooling after Primary Five due to the disease he was suffering from.

"Jason's doctor told us that patients with this illness usually lived to the age of 25, so last year we fulfilled his wish and took him to watch Liverpool's home match against Aston Villa in March.

"The weather was cold but Jason was persistent, insisting on getting on the plane despite his condition.

"My husband's uncle lives close to the stadium, so we brought Jason there.

"He and my husband sat near the goalpost and watched their favourite team score five goals.

"They also obtained the players' autographs and visited the club's training centre and museum."

William said: "I will never forget how he cheered when Liverpool beat Aston Villa 5-0. His determination is an inspiration to all of us."

The family will hold a ceremony in March on the first anniversary of Jason's death.

Jason Samuels, you'll never walk alone...