The new dad took fandom to new heights after naming his daughter after the 'You'll Never Walk Alone' club anthem.
ADVERTISEMENTWhat's in a name? For one new father in Norway it was the ultimate tribute to his favourite football team Liverpool FC. Baby Ynwa was born on New Year's Day and named after the Reds' anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone".
Kent Solheim of Larvik, Norway, was donned a Liverpool fan at the age of three months when he was given his first jersey—and knew since he was a boy that he wanted to name his daughter Ynwa after the club's song. The only hurdle he faced was persuading his girlfriend Carine.
"When I got the news that I was having a baby girl there was only to convince my girlfriend that it was the right name," said Solheim to Euronews.
"At first she loved the name Ynwa," pronounced like IN-VAH in English. "But when I told her I want the name with a 'w', she was not so happy ... I told her the truth, that Liverpool was the reason ... and in time she agreed."
'Let's go to the hospital after the game'
On New Year's Day, Liverpool faced off against Burnley in a dramatic away match that ended in a winning injury-time goal for the Reds.
The 29-year-old was watching the match with Carine, who was nine days past her expected due date, when she suddenly began to feel contractions. But Solheim was hoping she could hold out a little longer—until the final whistle.
"I said we can go to the hospital after the game if she's not hurting too much," said Solheim.
"We waited until the game was over and then we drove to the hospital and [Ynwa] was born two hours later."
Manchester United and Everton fans weigh in
Liverpool fans have been overwhelmingly supportive of Ynwa's name, according to Solheim. But not every team is behind the tribute.
"From Liverpool supporters it's been great. From United and Everton supporters it's not so good," said Solheim while laughing.
Should Solheim and his family welcome another sibling, they're looking at the name George.
"We talked about how to name the baby if [Ynwa] was a boy ... and to call him George after my grandpa," said Solheim. |
"But still, it's Steven Gerrard's middle name."