09/09/2026
THIS IS ANFIELD. THIS IS THE ARC.❤️
Today is a very special day for everyone at the ARC Hotel.
We are incredibly proud to announce that we are now the custodians of the original 1972 “This Is Anfield” sign — the very first sign introduced at Anfield during the Bill Shankly era.
This is not simply a sign.
This is a piece of Liverpool Football Club history.
The story goes that the idea for a sign in the players’ tunnel was first suggested by a groundsman to club secretary Peter Robinson. The original suggestion was to welcome visitors with the words “Welcome to Anfield.” But Bill Shankly had other ideas.
He wanted something that meant more.
“This Is Anfield.”
Three words designed to remind Liverpool’s players who they were playing for — and to remind the opposition exactly where they had come to play.
And this original sign witnessed history.
New research and photographic evidence have established that it remained in the Anfield tunnel well into the Bob Paisley era, appearing in photographs from 1977 and 1979. Its unmistakable cracks, chips, paint marks and repairs helped confirm its identity as the original.
It was there as Liverpool became European champions in 1977 and 1978, and throughout one of the greatest periods in the history of our football club.
After leaving Anfield, this remarkable piece of history eventually found its way to the Isle of Man, where it was displayed in a hotel before being carefully preserved for many years.
And now, after more than four decades away…
IT’S COMING HOME.
Back to Anfield.
Back to Liverpool.
Back to the people who understand what those three words truly mean.
At the ARC Hotel, we believe passionately that this sign belongs with the fans. It belongs with the people. It belongs in Liverpool.
So we want to welcome every Red — young and old, from Anfield to the other side of the world — to come and see it, stand beneath it, remember what it represents, and enjoy a genuine piece of Liverpool FC history.
This isn’t about keeping history behind closed doors.
This is for the fans.
This is for the people.
This is for Liverpool.
🔴⚽️✨🙌🏼
