Innocent football fan Michael Shields spent the early part of Saturday afternoon being introduced to the fans' group that has him as their top member.
The influential Spirit of Shankly Supporters' Union made Shields, who received a Royal Pardon last week, their number one member when they formed in January 2008.
Since then the Union has been heavily involved in the campaign to get the Wavertree-man freed from prison after being locked up by a Bulgarian court in 2005.
The meeting, which was held at the Olympia Theatre, opened at midday with Michael being introduced to the hundreds of members present. Entering to a standing ovation a clearly overwhelmed Shields was handed the top table's centre seat by Union chairman Paul Rice.
Shields then thanked all present for their help in getting granted a Royal Pardon by Justice Secretary Jack Straw.
A similar ovation was reserved for the Liverpool City Councillor who has spearheaded the campaign. Joe Anderson was introduced shortly after Michael spoke to the crowd. The Everton fan was thanked by the committee for his input before the roles were reversed. The Labour man took the microphone to praise the Union's role in recent events.
"What are you are doing here is fantastic, I may be a blue but I am fully behind this organisation. This supporters' Union gave the campaign to free Michael a boost when we needed it most. You made Liverpool Football Club sit up and get involved and perhaps without that Michael wouldn't be sitting here today" he said.
A fan then presented Michael Shields with a signed Sami Hyypia top that he had won at a previous fundraiser.
Shields and Anderson then left the stage to an equally raportous appluase.
The supporters Union is seen as a pionerring fans group within English football. Although set up to try and oust Liverpool Football Club's unpopular owners they have since set up cheap means of travel for supporters, engaged with the club on a range of issues and got behind campaigns like Michael Shields'. The Union's membership numbers several thousand and it is steered by a democrtically elected board.
The Shields family then went onto Anfield where they were guests of honour for Liverpool's league match against Burnley. Shields was pictured in the Directors Box sporting a Spirit of Shankly pin badge.
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