Pogues singer Shane MacGowan spoke of his love for Everton and cheeky Anfield memories

Singer-songwriter Shane MacGowan revealed his love for Everton in an interview with the ECHO back in 2009.

A spokesperson confirmed that the former Pogues frontman – born on December 25, 1957 – who became a global music icon thanks to his popular Christmas song Fairytale of New York, died at home at 3:30am on Thursday with his wife Victoria Mary Clarke and sister by his side. MacGowan, who had well-documented problems with drugs and alcohol, had been diagnosed with encephalitis – a condition that leads to brain swelling – but was discharged from St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin after months of treatment.

Ahead of the Pogues playing The Summer Pops at the ECHO Arena a fortnight later, ECHO music columnist Jade Wright spoke to the rocker. She said: “When I ask him what he thinks will be the best thing in Liverpool in 2009, he answers simply ‘Everton.’”

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His previous gig in the city had seen MacGowan arrested in his dressing room and forced to spend a night in police cells at St Anne's Street after a man claimed he had been hit in the face by a microphone stand allegedly hurled into the audience. Wright added: “MacGowan said he had hit the concert-goer by mistake. Police searched the venue for the mic stand in question but it had been stolen by a fan, desperate for a souvenir from the night.

“So, I ask him if he has any fonder memories of Liverpool. (He replied) ‘Michael Thomas. Anfield. 1989 (when Arsenal went 2-0 in the final seconds to deny Kenny Dalglish’s side the league title on goals scored). And Liverpool bands – it’s difficult to know where