HILLSBOROUGH REMEMBERED.
- Thread starter Oncy
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=32750.msg844725#msg844725 date=1239724644]
Great job,Oncy.. ; I can't imagine what it must have been like to read and collate these stories into this thread.
I'm so glad you did, but very sorry you had to.
[/quote]Dont be daft x2. Im honoured to do it.
Great job,Oncy.. ; I can't imagine what it must have been like to read and collate these stories into this thread.
I'm so glad you did, but very sorry you had to.
[/quote]Dont be daft x2. Im honoured to do it.
Great job Oncy and all the contributors. You did them proud.
T
the_khl
Guest
This thread epitomizes everything that is so good with 6CM.
Not strange that it's several peoples favourite Liverpool fan-footie-forum.
Actually it's my favourite forum ever.
Not strange that it's several peoples favourite Liverpool fan-footie-forum.
Actually it's my favourite forum ever.
Thanks for the work in putting this beautiful and emotional thread together, Andy. And to all who have contributed, thank you as well.
For someone who was introduced to the highs and lows of football a decade after Hillsborough, it is moments, and threads, and remembrances like these that make me feel like one of the lucky ones in supporting Liverpool Football Club. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought when little Michael Owen went off on that genius of a run against Argentina in the 98 World Cup that it would start me off on a path of supporting such a special club. That moment, when I knew my future was in watching football, and the club I would support was Liverpool, fated me with a special responsibility unlike any other. It meant that I would have to truly learn about what it means to support our beloved Liverpool, to learn the history, the triumphs of the trophies, the tragedies of Hillsborough and Heysel, and the legends of Shankly, Paisley, Dalglish and so many others. That this club is more than just players on the pitch.
When I went to Anfield in 1999, the first trip on my own outside of the U.S., I was given an introduction to this history of LFC and the responsibility of supporting this great club. I had waded my way in to Anfield with no idea where the hell I was going, only that my ticket was in the Kop. A steward, obviously sensing that I was in need of some help, asked to see my ticket. We got to talking and he asked me where I was from. I told him I was from Seattle and had just arrived in the country the day before and had got straight off the plane in London onto a train to get to Anfield for this game. "We'll take care of you, son," he said and I believed him. "But if you are going to follow this club, know that it's more than just a football team." And then he told me about Hillsborough. With tears in his eyes he told me about that fateful day, about Justice for the 96, about what "You'll Never Walk Alone" means. I felt like this man had taken me into his confidence and revealed something precious, something that I was being entrusted with, to protect and respect, and never forget. And I haven't. I remember the match that day, seeing off Arsenal by way of a Robbie Fowler wonderstrike from 30 yards out, I remember drinking in the Albert, hearing the songs, meeting some of the nicest people in the world. But I will never forget that moment with the Steward, taking me aside to educate me on what it means to be a Liverpool supporter, that it is a privilege, and a responsibility. And as I walked away, towards my seat in the Kop, his words echoed in my head "Never forget the 96". It might sound strange but I felt the history in that moment, I felt the spirits of all who had supported LFC, and I felt like when I walked out and saw the pitch for the first time that there was no going back. It was truly like having a religious experience.
The steward said one other thing to me that day that has stuck with me "You can't just say you support Liverpool, son." And after 10 years, I am only now beginning to feel like I am truly a supporter of this club, that I have put in the work, studied the history, watched the clips, laughed, cried, freaked my wife out with spontaneous cries of joy when we score, applauding the spirit of the boys when they have come up short, singing the songs when I'm watching on my couch. It's in my blood and I couldn't turn it off if I wanted to.
I thank that steward and all of you who have helped those of us not born with the history of this club begin to understand just how lucky we are to support the greatest club in the world.
RIP the 96.
YNWA
For someone who was introduced to the highs and lows of football a decade after Hillsborough, it is moments, and threads, and remembrances like these that make me feel like one of the lucky ones in supporting Liverpool Football Club. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought when little Michael Owen went off on that genius of a run against Argentina in the 98 World Cup that it would start me off on a path of supporting such a special club. That moment, when I knew my future was in watching football, and the club I would support was Liverpool, fated me with a special responsibility unlike any other. It meant that I would have to truly learn about what it means to support our beloved Liverpool, to learn the history, the triumphs of the trophies, the tragedies of Hillsborough and Heysel, and the legends of Shankly, Paisley, Dalglish and so many others. That this club is more than just players on the pitch.
When I went to Anfield in 1999, the first trip on my own outside of the U.S., I was given an introduction to this history of LFC and the responsibility of supporting this great club. I had waded my way in to Anfield with no idea where the hell I was going, only that my ticket was in the Kop. A steward, obviously sensing that I was in need of some help, asked to see my ticket. We got to talking and he asked me where I was from. I told him I was from Seattle and had just arrived in the country the day before and had got straight off the plane in London onto a train to get to Anfield for this game. "We'll take care of you, son," he said and I believed him. "But if you are going to follow this club, know that it's more than just a football team." And then he told me about Hillsborough. With tears in his eyes he told me about that fateful day, about Justice for the 96, about what "You'll Never Walk Alone" means. I felt like this man had taken me into his confidence and revealed something precious, something that I was being entrusted with, to protect and respect, and never forget. And I haven't. I remember the match that day, seeing off Arsenal by way of a Robbie Fowler wonderstrike from 30 yards out, I remember drinking in the Albert, hearing the songs, meeting some of the nicest people in the world. But I will never forget that moment with the Steward, taking me aside to educate me on what it means to be a Liverpool supporter, that it is a privilege, and a responsibility. And as I walked away, towards my seat in the Kop, his words echoed in my head "Never forget the 96". It might sound strange but I felt the history in that moment, I felt the spirits of all who had supported LFC, and I felt like when I walked out and saw the pitch for the first time that there was no going back. It was truly like having a religious experience.
The steward said one other thing to me that day that has stuck with me "You can't just say you support Liverpool, son." And after 10 years, I am only now beginning to feel like I am truly a supporter of this club, that I have put in the work, studied the history, watched the clips, laughed, cried, freaked my wife out with spontaneous cries of joy when we score, applauding the spirit of the boys when they have come up short, singing the songs when I'm watching on my couch. It's in my blood and I couldn't turn it off if I wanted to.
I thank that steward and all of you who have helped those of us not born with the history of this club begin to understand just how lucky we are to support the greatest club in the world.
RIP the 96.
YNWA
Beautiful insight into how it affected people across the globe. Thank you oncey for doing this. I know you say it's an honour, but i don't know how many people would've posted their true feelings without you. True legend of the site.
Rest In Peace the 96, you suffered more than any fan should ever have to. You'll forever be remembered and You'll Never Walk Alone
Rest In Peace the 96, you suffered more than any fan should ever have to. You'll forever be remembered and You'll Never Walk Alone
Whaddapie - you're not an outsider at all. You don't have to be Scouse born and bred to be part of this club. You simply have to understand it, feel it and believe in it. Then you become part of it. You do all these things.
I used to be a bit anti-OOT myself many years back because I struggled to get tickets for myself or my mates. "Why should all these wools, Norwegians and Paddies get tickets before me?" I thought quite often. Wisdom comes with age though and, if I'm honest, it's easy for me. Easy for me to get a ticket. Easy for me to get the game. Easy for me to have a choice whether to go or not. Being scouse doesn't automatically make me a hardened LFC fan. You have to take some pain along your journey. Mine is probably watching some dull and uninspiring performances week on week. For other people it is travelling hundreds or thousands of miles at great expense to see one game a season, if you're lucky. For others it's the inability to see their beloved team in the flesh at all.
I love OOTers at Anfield now. I understand their sacrifices and love for the club. I like making them feel as welcome as possible. I love them returning to the King Harry year after year to meet up with us again. I acknowledge and respect their love for the club. And I'll guarantee there'll be plenty of non-scousers there today paying their respects to our never-forgotten brothers and sisters.
I have to go very soon to the memorial service. I'll pay my respects at the Eternal Flame on the way through and say a little prayer from all of us on here at 6CM. One team, one club, one people. RIP the 96. You truly will Never Walk Alone.
I used to be a bit anti-OOT myself many years back because I struggled to get tickets for myself or my mates. "Why should all these wools, Norwegians and Paddies get tickets before me?" I thought quite often. Wisdom comes with age though and, if I'm honest, it's easy for me. Easy for me to get a ticket. Easy for me to get the game. Easy for me to have a choice whether to go or not. Being scouse doesn't automatically make me a hardened LFC fan. You have to take some pain along your journey. Mine is probably watching some dull and uninspiring performances week on week. For other people it is travelling hundreds or thousands of miles at great expense to see one game a season, if you're lucky. For others it's the inability to see their beloved team in the flesh at all.
I love OOTers at Anfield now. I understand their sacrifices and love for the club. I like making them feel as welcome as possible. I love them returning to the King Harry year after year to meet up with us again. I acknowledge and respect their love for the club. And I'll guarantee there'll be plenty of non-scousers there today paying their respects to our never-forgotten brothers and sisters.
I have to go very soon to the memorial service. I'll pay my respects at the Eternal Flame on the way through and say a little prayer from all of us on here at 6CM. One team, one club, one people. RIP the 96. You truly will Never Walk Alone.
Wonderful tribute, Andy. Very moving. You should be proud of putting it together, mate.
Thank you Sunny - That means a lot, mate.
I love LFC, the city of Liverpool and it's people... You've always been wonderful to me and made me feel like one of you, right from my first solo visit when I was only 15, sleeping on some bloke's couch.
You're truly unique and I think that's why so many of us not from there feel so connected to the club.
YNWA, fellow Reds.
God bless you all.
Thank you Sunny - That means a lot, mate.
I love LFC, the city of Liverpool and it's people... You've always been wonderful to me and made me feel like one of you, right from my first solo visit when I was only 15, sleeping on some bloke's couch.
You're truly unique and I think that's why so many of us not from there feel so connected to the club.
YNWA, fellow Reds.
God bless you all.
Very special post this one. Thank you for it.
There are no appropriate words for me as a Villa fan to summon up today but rest assured, your 96 are our 96.
I saw your Hillsborough Remembered thread and wanted to send you this article that I was sent from a Forest fanzine. I'm afraid I don't know who wrote it.
Best regards.
On this day twenty years ago, I stood with some friends on the Spion Kop at Hillsborough.
From a cold, misty start in Nottingham, it turned quickly into a beautiful day. A gorgeous, sunny, warm, blue sky day. After last season's disappointment, I looked forward to a positive result today.
Pretty much first into the Spion Kop when they opened the gates at 12. Noticed that when the 5 of us arrived we outnumbered the stewards by 4.
Gets to 2 o'clock, and it's getting busy in our end. 100 yards away, it appeared that most Liverpool fans hadn't arrived yet, since there was plenty of concrete visible in the left and right sections of the "away" end.
"International Rescue" by Fuzzbox played on the Tannoy. It got busier and tighter in our end. Liverpool fans were still to arrive by the looks of things.
I remember our fans - me and friends included - chanting "What's it like to have no fans" and similar...it was clear that few of the dedicated Scousers had arrived, such was the empty space visible either side of the goal at the other end.
But there comes a point when having stood in, and looked at terraces for many years before this day, you realise that the middle section opposite you is rather densely packed.
Meanwhile where you are, you're having trouble getting the Polo mints out of your pocket, owing to the press of people round you. Stood in FRONT of a crush barrier (thank you, Dad, for teaching me THAT one early in my terrace life), you're uncomfortably squashed.
The players emerge, the teams are announced over the Tannoy, and you're ready. I can barely move, such is the weight of people round me. At the other end, it's apparent that a large number of Liverpool fans are going to miss at least the start of the game cos there's still acres of terrace concrete visible from our end.
The game kicks off. Early chances cause the usual swaying on the terraces. The crush barriers divide the flowing waves of humanity into horizontal blocks. 'Twas ever thus.
Forest force two corners in the opening couple of minutes and the expectation grows, only for a Liverpool break to dampen the spirit. A shot from Liverpool's Peter Beardsley goes narrowly over the crossbar, and the usual surge behind the Scouse goal.
Only this one doesn't end horizontally. For a moment the people stop flowing forward, then the horizontal line breaks forward in a curve.
Around this time, we can see Liverpool fans in the upper tier seats reaching down and pulling fans up from the terrace below - presumably, we think, to afford them a better view.
"What a bunch of w*****s!!" cry 20,000 standing Forest fans.
A few Liverpool fans start climbing over the front fence of the terrace and jump on to the area behind the goal. "What a bunch on w*****s!!"
More fans lifted up, more fans over the fence.
A policeman runs onto the pitch and says a few words to the referee, who leads the players off the pitch.
*******************************************************
It is six minutes past three o'clock, on Saturday the 15th of April, 1989.
*******************************************************
In my pocket is a small transistor radio. I manage to get it out and turn it on to Peter Jones who's doing the commentary from this game on Radio 2 (is now Radio 5Live).
They are as bewildered as we are. Overcrowding. Fighting. Pitch Invasion. They don't know.
Ten or fifteen minutes later, with seemingly hundreds or possibly thousands of people straning to listen to my radio's little speaker, somes the awful report that..."we have unconfirmed rumours that three people have been seriously hurt in a crush behind the Liverpool goal".
The chanting from the Forest end dies down, an ambulance appears from our right, and as the number of Liverpool supporters on the pitch grows, a line of policemen is deployed to separate 'them' from 'us'.
We watch helplessly as injured people are brought towards our end of the pitch by fans and police, and laid down in the penalty area in front of us to recover. We can barely move in our end. My friend next to me was a qualified First Aider - his parents both Doctors. Even if he'd been able to get to the front of our end, it was clear that no-one was being allowed out of our end for any reason.
On my radio, the awful news breaks that..."...perhaps one person may have been killed and several others injured in a crush...but these are unconfirmed reports".
We stand and watch as more and more injured fans are laid out to recover in the penalty area before us.
To my dying day I will remember a Liverpool fan in a white shirt being carried by 6 people, on a ripped-down yellow advertising hoarding. His black jacket was draped over him. As the carriers crossed the half-way line, the jacket slipped off and fell to the floor.
His bearers stopped, and carefully placed the "stretcher" on the ground. They picked up the coat, and with great dignity placed it carefully over the poor bugger's head.
He was then carefully and respectfully picked up and carried to the area in front of us, and carefully placed on the ground, his coat moved to cover his head.
I think it was at that point that the full enormity of the situation dawned on all of us.
That guy was dead.
Dead.
And he had been placed with the 40-50-60-or-so of the other "injured", "recovering" people.
They were dead too.
All of them.
Dead.
And there we were chanting abuse over their heads for the last half hour.
Dead.
All of them.
Meanwhile the radio kept on with the doom-laden reports of "perhaps three people have been killed...." For once in my life, I knew better than the radio.
Come 4.15 or so, finally, FINALLY the PA cracks into life. "This is Kenny Dalglish."
Fifty-five thousand people in the stadium. Apart from some distant cries from the other end, you could have heard a pin drop.
"This is Kenny Dalglish. Clearly a major disaster is happening here.... " The rest of the speech is immaterial. It was met with warm applause from all remaining fans. He asked us to be patient for a while as the emergency services dealt with the injured, and that shortly the exit gates would be opened, and would we all please make our way calmly out of the ground and go home.
The radio is still telling me that perhaps 3 people have been killed, but this isn't confirmed.
Half-past four, the exit gates are opened, and 20,000 shocked, stunned, quiet Forest fans make their sad, disbelieveing way to their cars, buses, vans.
On the radio, I think Peter Jones had realised what had happened. Barely able to restrain his own tears, he told a stunned nation that..."a young lad, about 9 years old has just come up to our commentary position, and asked if he can use our phone to call his mum, because he has lost his Dad.
Of course he can phone."
************************************************
"BBC Radio Sheffield, the news at Five O'Clock.
South Yorkshire Ambulance Service has confirmed that seventy-two football fans have been killed at this afternoon's..................................."
We were at the traffic lights, in front of probably ten thousand Forest fans, all going home. I think most of us had that radio station on.
I got out of the car, and tried desperately to breathe in fresh air.
As I looked down the road, I wasn't the only person throwing up.
Not quite sure how we got home that night, but I remain grateful to my friend Sunil for getting us home.
A bit of tea, and news and Match Of The Day on TV. No music, no fanfare. Just a dark screen, and a few still images:
Fans sitting, shell-shocked.
Ambulances.
People hugging.
People crying.
Metal fencing.
A crush barrier, broken, bent forward in a curve.
*******************************************************************************************
Ninety-five fans died that afternoon.
Fans like me.
In the ground early, in order to get a good place to stand.
Killed by the unrelenting weight of humanity crushing the life and breath out of them.
The ninety-sixth victim, Tony Bland, died about three years later when his life support machine was turned off.
*******************************************************************************************
In loving and eternal memory of 96 poor sods who went to a football match
[size=16pt]Forwarded by Claret and Blue Written by an unknown Forest fan.[/size]
There are no appropriate words for me as a Villa fan to summon up today but rest assured, your 96 are our 96.
I saw your Hillsborough Remembered thread and wanted to send you this article that I was sent from a Forest fanzine. I'm afraid I don't know who wrote it.
Best regards.
On this day twenty years ago, I stood with some friends on the Spion Kop at Hillsborough.
From a cold, misty start in Nottingham, it turned quickly into a beautiful day. A gorgeous, sunny, warm, blue sky day. After last season's disappointment, I looked forward to a positive result today.
Pretty much first into the Spion Kop when they opened the gates at 12. Noticed that when the 5 of us arrived we outnumbered the stewards by 4.
Gets to 2 o'clock, and it's getting busy in our end. 100 yards away, it appeared that most Liverpool fans hadn't arrived yet, since there was plenty of concrete visible in the left and right sections of the "away" end.
"International Rescue" by Fuzzbox played on the Tannoy. It got busier and tighter in our end. Liverpool fans were still to arrive by the looks of things.
I remember our fans - me and friends included - chanting "What's it like to have no fans" and similar...it was clear that few of the dedicated Scousers had arrived, such was the empty space visible either side of the goal at the other end.
But there comes a point when having stood in, and looked at terraces for many years before this day, you realise that the middle section opposite you is rather densely packed.
Meanwhile where you are, you're having trouble getting the Polo mints out of your pocket, owing to the press of people round you. Stood in FRONT of a crush barrier (thank you, Dad, for teaching me THAT one early in my terrace life), you're uncomfortably squashed.
The players emerge, the teams are announced over the Tannoy, and you're ready. I can barely move, such is the weight of people round me. At the other end, it's apparent that a large number of Liverpool fans are going to miss at least the start of the game cos there's still acres of terrace concrete visible from our end.
The game kicks off. Early chances cause the usual swaying on the terraces. The crush barriers divide the flowing waves of humanity into horizontal blocks. 'Twas ever thus.
Forest force two corners in the opening couple of minutes and the expectation grows, only for a Liverpool break to dampen the spirit. A shot from Liverpool's Peter Beardsley goes narrowly over the crossbar, and the usual surge behind the Scouse goal.
Only this one doesn't end horizontally. For a moment the people stop flowing forward, then the horizontal line breaks forward in a curve.
Around this time, we can see Liverpool fans in the upper tier seats reaching down and pulling fans up from the terrace below - presumably, we think, to afford them a better view.
"What a bunch of w*****s!!" cry 20,000 standing Forest fans.
A few Liverpool fans start climbing over the front fence of the terrace and jump on to the area behind the goal. "What a bunch on w*****s!!"
More fans lifted up, more fans over the fence.
A policeman runs onto the pitch and says a few words to the referee, who leads the players off the pitch.
*******************************************************
It is six minutes past three o'clock, on Saturday the 15th of April, 1989.
*******************************************************
In my pocket is a small transistor radio. I manage to get it out and turn it on to Peter Jones who's doing the commentary from this game on Radio 2 (is now Radio 5Live).
They are as bewildered as we are. Overcrowding. Fighting. Pitch Invasion. They don't know.
Ten or fifteen minutes later, with seemingly hundreds or possibly thousands of people straning to listen to my radio's little speaker, somes the awful report that..."we have unconfirmed rumours that three people have been seriously hurt in a crush behind the Liverpool goal".
The chanting from the Forest end dies down, an ambulance appears from our right, and as the number of Liverpool supporters on the pitch grows, a line of policemen is deployed to separate 'them' from 'us'.
We watch helplessly as injured people are brought towards our end of the pitch by fans and police, and laid down in the penalty area in front of us to recover. We can barely move in our end. My friend next to me was a qualified First Aider - his parents both Doctors. Even if he'd been able to get to the front of our end, it was clear that no-one was being allowed out of our end for any reason.
On my radio, the awful news breaks that..."...perhaps one person may have been killed and several others injured in a crush...but these are unconfirmed reports".
We stand and watch as more and more injured fans are laid out to recover in the penalty area before us.
To my dying day I will remember a Liverpool fan in a white shirt being carried by 6 people, on a ripped-down yellow advertising hoarding. His black jacket was draped over him. As the carriers crossed the half-way line, the jacket slipped off and fell to the floor.
His bearers stopped, and carefully placed the "stretcher" on the ground. They picked up the coat, and with great dignity placed it carefully over the poor bugger's head.
He was then carefully and respectfully picked up and carried to the area in front of us, and carefully placed on the ground, his coat moved to cover his head.
I think it was at that point that the full enormity of the situation dawned on all of us.
That guy was dead.
Dead.
And he had been placed with the 40-50-60-or-so of the other "injured", "recovering" people.
They were dead too.
All of them.
Dead.
And there we were chanting abuse over their heads for the last half hour.
Dead.
All of them.
Meanwhile the radio kept on with the doom-laden reports of "perhaps three people have been killed...." For once in my life, I knew better than the radio.
Come 4.15 or so, finally, FINALLY the PA cracks into life. "This is Kenny Dalglish."
Fifty-five thousand people in the stadium. Apart from some distant cries from the other end, you could have heard a pin drop.
"This is Kenny Dalglish. Clearly a major disaster is happening here.... " The rest of the speech is immaterial. It was met with warm applause from all remaining fans. He asked us to be patient for a while as the emergency services dealt with the injured, and that shortly the exit gates would be opened, and would we all please make our way calmly out of the ground and go home.
The radio is still telling me that perhaps 3 people have been killed, but this isn't confirmed.
Half-past four, the exit gates are opened, and 20,000 shocked, stunned, quiet Forest fans make their sad, disbelieveing way to their cars, buses, vans.
On the radio, I think Peter Jones had realised what had happened. Barely able to restrain his own tears, he told a stunned nation that..."a young lad, about 9 years old has just come up to our commentary position, and asked if he can use our phone to call his mum, because he has lost his Dad.
Of course he can phone."
************************************************
"BBC Radio Sheffield, the news at Five O'Clock.
South Yorkshire Ambulance Service has confirmed that seventy-two football fans have been killed at this afternoon's..................................."
We were at the traffic lights, in front of probably ten thousand Forest fans, all going home. I think most of us had that radio station on.
I got out of the car, and tried desperately to breathe in fresh air.
As I looked down the road, I wasn't the only person throwing up.
Not quite sure how we got home that night, but I remain grateful to my friend Sunil for getting us home.
A bit of tea, and news and Match Of The Day on TV. No music, no fanfare. Just a dark screen, and a few still images:
Fans sitting, shell-shocked.
Ambulances.
People hugging.
People crying.
Metal fencing.
A crush barrier, broken, bent forward in a curve.
*******************************************************************************************
Ninety-five fans died that afternoon.
Fans like me.
In the ground early, in order to get a good place to stand.
Killed by the unrelenting weight of humanity crushing the life and breath out of them.
The ninety-sixth victim, Tony Bland, died about three years later when his life support machine was turned off.
*******************************************************************************************
In loving and eternal memory of 96 poor sods who went to a football match
[size=16pt]Forwarded by Claret and Blue Written by an unknown Forest fan.[/size]
Fantastic thread this.
Thank you all very much for sharing.
I've just watched the memorial on lfc tv and it was beautiful, really really beautiful.
It brought tears to my eyes, and my thoughts are with all the families and friends who lost their beloved ones.
Justice for the 96, YNWA.
Thank you all very much for sharing.
I've just watched the memorial on lfc tv and it was beautiful, really really beautiful.
It brought tears to my eyes, and my thoughts are with all the families and friends who lost their beloved ones.
Justice for the 96, YNWA.
This thread really has been incredible; I've tried to get the memorial too but it keeps disconnecting.
I can get all the news bits and articles, but not on the video.
Anyway, I spent most of the past 96 minutes reading all the letters and poems.
That was difficult enough.
JFT96.
:'(
I can get all the news bits and articles, but not on the video.
Anyway, I spent most of the past 96 minutes reading all the letters and poems.
That was difficult enough.
JFT96.
:'(
Andy, you made us all proud by this incredible thread and the Shutdown thread!
You are a credit to this site, and LFC can be proud for having fans like you.
Thanks also to all other posters who posted some very touching posts on this thread.
I personally wasn't at Hillsborough that day, but from my distant home in Israel I anxiously followed the terrible events. Two friends of mine were there, and I was so relieved to hear from their parents that they were safe when I called them later on that evening.
96 fellow reds did not survive that hell.
R.I.P.
YNWA
You are a credit to this site, and LFC can be proud for having fans like you.
Thanks also to all other posters who posted some very touching posts on this thread.
I personally wasn't at Hillsborough that day, but from my distant home in Israel I anxiously followed the terrible events. Two friends of mine were there, and I was so relieved to hear from their parents that they were safe when I called them later on that evening.
96 fellow reds did not survive that hell.
R.I.P.
YNWA
Brilliant and respectful tread Andy
I have been in tears at many stages, Wilko's story in particular got to me
God bless those 96 souls
YNWA
I have been in tears at many stages, Wilko's story in particular got to me
God bless those 96 souls
YNWA
Further from what the Forest fan mentioned (its very likely everyone here already knows,but I'll mention it anyway just in case ) Tony Bland was finally allowed to pass away some 4 years after Hillsborough only because his parents and the Airedale NHS Trust fought for the right to turn the machines off.
The Official Solicitor (acting on Tony's behalf) contested the application on grounds that it tantamounted to murder.
It became a landmark case concerning sanctity of life v quality of life.
Tony was 22 years old.
The Official Solicitor (acting on Tony's behalf) contested the application on grounds that it tantamounted to murder.
It became a landmark case concerning sanctity of life v quality of life.
Tony was 22 years old.
Great thread. Fair play to everyone who contributed.
YNWA
YNWA
S
Squiggles
Guest
The Hillsborough Memorial Service
What an occasion. It was a privilege to be part of this deeply moving tribute towards the Hillsborough victims, and just as those who lost their lives on that fateful day will forever imprinted upon the club, the events of today will stay with a new generation for years to come.
The day started at 1pm, waking up with a stinking hangover after a messy night at the Raz,. We quickly showered, threw on our Liverpool shirts and started our walk to the ground - stopping off at the Tesco on Mount Pleasant to pick up some flowers, plus a large quantity of orange juice.
One mile into our journey, a Jaguar pulled over, a window wound down, and two friendly faced elderly gentlemen peered out and said “You going to Anfield, lads?â€, so without hesitation we jumped in the back. (What other city does this happen in?) Turns out they were a wealth of knowledge on all things LFC, having supported Liverpool for a combined total of 120 years, Then one of them divulges that he’s David Kirby, the author of ‘Seeds of Hope’ - the Hillsborough section’s currently being serialised on the Liverpool official website.
As we drove closer, the traffic swelled, a mass of red and white loomed ahead - it was like a match day. Suddenly it dawned that this was going to be an extra special anniversary. Fortunately the other gentleman had his own car parking space in the ground so we got out, said our thanks and became no more than a red pixel amongst an awash of reds. The authorities, according to reports, expected no more than 10,000 people. Fact is, there was closer to 30,000; many of whom were part of a massive line which resembled a gigantic worm, wrapping around itself more than once. We walked past this creature and up towards the fabled Shankly Gates - though for once they weren’t the focal point. Instead the endless line of flowers, pictures, personalised scarves and red shirts dominated the environment. A middle-aged woman with tears streaming down her face placing a picture of her son gave further focus on this rawest of days. We laid our flowers paid our respects, and spent a moment reading the messages from loved ones. A quick glance around revealed that tributes have flocked in from all corners of the world - from reds in Australia right through to Canada, Germany, and beyond. Massive bouquets from Premiership clubs were also visible. It was deeply moving.
We then joined the massive line - barely any Stewards or Police were monitoring the flow of the thousands (ironic, huh?), but everyone was patient, orderly, and waited their turn. After 40 minutes of queuing, we finally made progress into the ground and I predictably got goose pimples as we climbed the steps to the Kop. We took our seats and observed the red empty seats throughout the ground switch places with faces on all four stands. Such was the numbers, the ground was still filtering people in throughout the service. It’s also worth mentioning that fans from other clubs, particularly Everton and Celtic, had attended, and should be applauded for doing so.
The families and our players all walked out to rapturous applause, as did David Moyes. King Kenny was met with adoration, and no doubt as you’ll see the on the news, the Government minister for Sport and Culture was interrupted as he promised the memories of the 96 would not be forgotten - clearly this didn’t satisfy anyone within the stadium, coming across as an empty gesture. “Justice for the 96†boomed out form all corners ground and the Politian looked genuinely taken back by levels of passion and animosity directed towards him. However as soon as the point was hammered home, he was allowed to continue with his speech and did, eventually, leave to applause. Anfield had respectfully made itself heard.
The choirs angelic voices cut through the ill feeling, the names of those who lost their lives were read out, as the bells peeled simultaneously at Anfield, throughout Liverpool, as well as ringing out in Sheffield and Nottingham. The 2 minute silence was impeccably observed by everyone, young and old. ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was sung with heart by Gerry Marsden, accompanied by 35,000 backing singers - the atmosphere resembling our famed European nights - as 96 balloons swirled around the stadium before disappearing from view. Stalin once said “one death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic†to combat this viewpoint, great efforts were made to made emphasis the individuals who sadly lost their lives.
On a day of mixed emotions, it’s hard to draw any real conclusions. What was uplifting, however, was the amount of school children in the ground, all of which will ensure the loss of life at Hillsborough will never, ever be downplayed nor forgotten, and the fight for justice will poignantly continue
What an occasion. It was a privilege to be part of this deeply moving tribute towards the Hillsborough victims, and just as those who lost their lives on that fateful day will forever imprinted upon the club, the events of today will stay with a new generation for years to come.
The day started at 1pm, waking up with a stinking hangover after a messy night at the Raz,. We quickly showered, threw on our Liverpool shirts and started our walk to the ground - stopping off at the Tesco on Mount Pleasant to pick up some flowers, plus a large quantity of orange juice.
One mile into our journey, a Jaguar pulled over, a window wound down, and two friendly faced elderly gentlemen peered out and said “You going to Anfield, lads?â€, so without hesitation we jumped in the back. (What other city does this happen in?) Turns out they were a wealth of knowledge on all things LFC, having supported Liverpool for a combined total of 120 years, Then one of them divulges that he’s David Kirby, the author of ‘Seeds of Hope’ - the Hillsborough section’s currently being serialised on the Liverpool official website.
As we drove closer, the traffic swelled, a mass of red and white loomed ahead - it was like a match day. Suddenly it dawned that this was going to be an extra special anniversary. Fortunately the other gentleman had his own car parking space in the ground so we got out, said our thanks and became no more than a red pixel amongst an awash of reds. The authorities, according to reports, expected no more than 10,000 people. Fact is, there was closer to 30,000; many of whom were part of a massive line which resembled a gigantic worm, wrapping around itself more than once. We walked past this creature and up towards the fabled Shankly Gates - though for once they weren’t the focal point. Instead the endless line of flowers, pictures, personalised scarves and red shirts dominated the environment. A middle-aged woman with tears streaming down her face placing a picture of her son gave further focus on this rawest of days. We laid our flowers paid our respects, and spent a moment reading the messages from loved ones. A quick glance around revealed that tributes have flocked in from all corners of the world - from reds in Australia right through to Canada, Germany, and beyond. Massive bouquets from Premiership clubs were also visible. It was deeply moving.
We then joined the massive line - barely any Stewards or Police were monitoring the flow of the thousands (ironic, huh?), but everyone was patient, orderly, and waited their turn. After 40 minutes of queuing, we finally made progress into the ground and I predictably got goose pimples as we climbed the steps to the Kop. We took our seats and observed the red empty seats throughout the ground switch places with faces on all four stands. Such was the numbers, the ground was still filtering people in throughout the service. It’s also worth mentioning that fans from other clubs, particularly Everton and Celtic, had attended, and should be applauded for doing so.
The families and our players all walked out to rapturous applause, as did David Moyes. King Kenny was met with adoration, and no doubt as you’ll see the on the news, the Government minister for Sport and Culture was interrupted as he promised the memories of the 96 would not be forgotten - clearly this didn’t satisfy anyone within the stadium, coming across as an empty gesture. “Justice for the 96†boomed out form all corners ground and the Politian looked genuinely taken back by levels of passion and animosity directed towards him. However as soon as the point was hammered home, he was allowed to continue with his speech and did, eventually, leave to applause. Anfield had respectfully made itself heard.
The choirs angelic voices cut through the ill feeling, the names of those who lost their lives were read out, as the bells peeled simultaneously at Anfield, throughout Liverpool, as well as ringing out in Sheffield and Nottingham. The 2 minute silence was impeccably observed by everyone, young and old. ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was sung with heart by Gerry Marsden, accompanied by 35,000 backing singers - the atmosphere resembling our famed European nights - as 96 balloons swirled around the stadium before disappearing from view. Stalin once said “one death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic†to combat this viewpoint, great efforts were made to made emphasis the individuals who sadly lost their lives.
On a day of mixed emotions, it’s hard to draw any real conclusions. What was uplifting, however, was the amount of school children in the ground, all of which will ensure the loss of life at Hillsborough will never, ever be downplayed nor forgotten, and the fight for justice will poignantly continue
Great thread oncy, thanks a lot.
YNWA
YNWA
Latest Texas Supporters Club Podcast - Hillsborough edition.
http://www.texasbootroom.blogspot.com/
I normally don't care about these too much... After all, they're just a few gobsites talking football in a boozer. It's usually just a free-for-all, as many of yiz know.
But last night's show was different. I wanted to educate as many new fans (becasue that's who mostly listen to the show over here) as possible about every aspect of the day and the aftermath.
We took it very seriously. It meant a lot to us, to do a good job for this one show. I hope that comes across...
YNWA.
http://www.texasbootroom.blogspot.com/
I normally don't care about these too much... After all, they're just a few gobsites talking football in a boozer. It's usually just a free-for-all, as many of yiz know.
But last night's show was different. I wanted to educate as many new fans (becasue that's who mostly listen to the show over here) as possible about every aspect of the day and the aftermath.
We took it very seriously. It meant a lot to us, to do a good job for this one show. I hope that comes across...
YNWA.
Re: Latest Texas Supporters Club Podcast - Hillsborough edition.
Which one are you?
Which one are you?
Re: Latest Texas Supporters Club Podcast - Hillsborough edition.
Weird.
Good podcast though.
Weird.
Good podcast though.
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/g...remembered-gallery-903323-detail/gallery.html
Nottingham Pays tribute.
Nottingham Pays tribute.
Got to hand it to the city of Nottingham. I was there the weekend after Hillsborough twenty years ago and the sympathy in evidence (and I do mean "evidence" - there were collections being taken for the families) was tremendous. As it happens I'm going to be there this weekend too. If I get the chance to express appreciation to some of the natives I'll definitely take it.
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