No one intended to kill football fans at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest 27 years ago. In 1989 British football stadiums were inherently unsafe, many of us felt in danger at the regular crushing entering and leaving grounds.
Crowd management was considered a control issue, not a safety one. In England, fences penned spectators in to prevent pitch invasions.
Hillsborough had staged many FA Cup semi-finals, including one the previous year between the same two clubs, so no proper thought or planning went into the game. During the 80s measures to control the crowd increased, while Sheffield Wednesday, who played home games at the ground, seldom came near the stadium’s capacity. The mean the stadium was unprepared for anything out of the ordinary, and the police were completely unprepared.
Access gates were open to relieve pressure on turnstiles which were inadequate to deal with a crowd of that size – a common, but dangerous, occurrence at the time.
Control measures were such that what was once a terrace area open from one side to another had been sectioned off. Once you were in one pen the only route out was to leave the terrace via the long tunnel underneath the Leppings Lane stand that fans used to enter the terrace. The two pens at the wide end of the terrace were under-filled, while the central two were crushed.
No one entering a tunnel knew if there was crushing ahead and there was no way to segregate fans off into available pens. Anyone attempting to exit through the tunnel would have been met by a large crowd of people trying to go the opposite way.
The system was stupidly crazy by design. Any Health and Safety attention would have deemed the terrace unsafe the moment the tall fences went up to prevent overspill onto the pitch area. It was a fatal incident waiting to happen.
Once the incident was underway South Yorkshire Police failed the victims spectacularly. Officers were watching the fatal crush from yards away but were unwilling to raise the alarm. They ignored terrified pleas from fans. After evidence of fatalities first arose, they turned ambulances away, delaying treatment to casualties for a crucial period.
When the incident was over the police invoked a smear campaign against the victims. Lies were told. Newspapers bought into the conspiracy, among others. The bereaved were left on their own to defend the memory of their lost ones as inquiries bathed all in whitewash.
There will be an understandable demand for prosecutions now, but for those who died 27 years ago, and many of their loved ones, it’s all too late. I hope the survivors gain some small comfort from today’s inquest verdict of unlawful killing. The torture they went through listening to the official lies must have been unbearable.
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ANGELGABRIEL on 26TH APRIL 2016 11:32 PM
A very poignant day for all concerned in the fight for justice for the 96. The scale of the cover up is mind boggling , the fact that it was prolonged over decades is shameful.
In hindsight , a disaster of some sort was inevitable at the football in those days. Janefield st , Nottingham , the old Celtic end at Hampden. There for the grace of God.
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Haven`t seen any mention of the Celtic end at Ibrox.
That`s where I remember being in fear of life and limb. Just being projected along and then down the stairway without being in any control of your progress.
That`s prior to Jan` 71.
You have to wonder how the families of those who died at Ibrox are feeling today.
AngelGabriel
They sure did pick the wrong city to mess with in telling lies.
Hopefully the families can find peace and live their lives happy in the knowledge that truth always outs eventually.
YNWA
67 heaven
Rebellion
I thought it was rubbish
How much have you seen so far
From one of the 96 ‘s Family.
” 96 Died and The Goverment Lied”…What A Quote..
Guy
Have not been in the H&B for months. Have been going to our games home and away this season. Was only in the pub for our games usually. Look forward to meeting you for a pint soon.
HH
It does the heart glad to see the 96 begin to get justice. Shocking that it took so long.
James Forrest I read your article. I find it presumptious in the extreme. I see no fundamental signs of change at cp. the board are simply avoiding us.
We have achieved nothing.
Macjay.
Can i Say..as a young Bhoy..in the 60s 70’s I hated coming outa ibrokes and hampden
So STEEP..
accident waiting to happen.
IUsed to try to get over to the sides.
The Grass And get down that way..Never forget it.
same as many comments
JUSTICE FOR THE 96,
it took quarter of a century.
the establishment, a tory government, a compliant police.
a government at war with the working class across the nation.
they hated the unions, the republicans, and the supposed hooligans.
then a police that covered it all up from day 5. their failings, and guilt, proved today.
nottingham, it could have been us, so very close. it could have happened at the celtic end of ibrox, or hampden, or easter road, or falkirk, or even at the highest stairs of celtic park
there are 4 names of the victims that are the same as people in my family.
they said walk on today. they kept it lit.
——————–
Jon-Paul Gilhooley 10 M
Philip Hammond 14 M
Thomas Anthony Howard 14 M
Paul Brian Murray 14 M
Lee Nicol 14 M
Adam Edward Spearritt 14 M
Peter Andrew Harrison 15 M
Victoria Jane Hicks 15 F
Philip John Steele 15 M
Kevin Tyrrell 15 M
Kevin Daniel Williams 15 M
Kester Roger Marcus Ball 16 M
Nicholas Michael Hewitt 16 M
Martin Kevin Traynor 16 M
Simon Bell 17 M
Carl Darren Hewitt 17 M
Keith McGrath 17 M
Stephen Francis O’Neill 17 M
Steven Joseph Robinson 17 M
Henry Charles Rogers 17 M
Stuart Paul William Thompson 17 M
Graham John Wright 17 M
James Gary Aspinall 18 M
Carl Brown 18 M
Paul Clark 18 M
Christopher Barry Devonside 18 M
Gary Philip Jones 18 M
Carl David Lewis 18 M
John McBrien 18 M
Jonathon Owens 18 M
Colin Mark Ashcroft 19 M
Paul William Carlile 19 M
Gary Christopher Church 19 M
James Philip Delaney 19 M
Sarah Louise Hicks 19 F
David William Mather 19 M
Colin Wafer 19 M
Ian David Whelan 19 M
Stephen Paul Copoc 20 M
Ian Thomas Glover 20 M
Gordon Rodney Horn 20 M
Paul David Brady 21 M
Thomas Steven Fox 21 M
Marian Hazel McCabe 21 F
Joseph Daniel McCarthy 21 M
Peter McDonnell 21 M
Carl William Rimmer 21 M
Peter Francis Tootle 21 M
David John Benson 22 M
David William Birtle 22 M
Tony Bland 22 M
Gary Collins 22 M
Tracey Elizabeth Cox 23 F
William Roy Pemberton 23 M
Colin Andrew Hugh William Sefton 23 M
David Leonard Thomas 23 M
Peter Andrew Burkett 24 M
Derrick George Godwin 24 M
Graham John Roberts 24 M
David Steven Brown 25 M
Richard Jones 25 M
Barry Sidney Bennett 26 M
Andrew Mark Brookes 26 M
Paul Anthony Hewitson 26 M
Paula Ann Smith 26 F
Christopher James Traynor 26 M
Barry Glover 27 M
Gary Harrison 27 M
Christine Anne Jones 27 F
Nicholas Peter Joynes 27 M
Francis Joseph McAllister 27 M
Alan McGlone 28 M
Joseph Clark 29 M
Christopher Edwards 29 M
James Robert Hennessy 29 M
Alan Johnston 29 M
Anthony Peter Kelly 29 M
Martin Kenneth Wild 29 M
Peter Reuben Thompson 30 M
Stephen Francis Harrison 31 M
Eric Hankin 33 M
Vincent Michael Fitzsimmons 34 M
Roy Harry Hamilton 34 M
Patrick John Thompson 35 M
Michael David Kelly 38 M
Brian Christopher Mathews 38 M
David George Rimmer 38 M
Inger Shah 38 F
David Hawley 39 M
Thomas Howard 39 M
Arthur Horrocks 41 M
Eric George Hughes 42 M
Henry Thomas Burke 47 M
Raymond Thomas Chapman 50 M
John Alfred Anderson 62 M
Gerard Bernard Patrick Baron 67 M
Saint Stivs…” We May Have Seen Great Posts, We Will Never See Better”.
Brilliant Post.
Great..Bless.
Good Leader Paul.. and right that we recognise and stand by our own over the last 27 years.
But it leaves a wider issue and one that seems to be endemic in our class ridden closed society. Lies, cover ups, whitewash and injustice right the way to the very top.. and those charged with representing us, are at the heart of it, and the worst offenders.
Time will not heal for those who suffered and who are still suffering, and time should not be the saviour for those who are guilty.
Just in
Justice for the 96 cannot stop today. The classic ‘establishment’ trick of leaving the truth until the culprits are too old or dead must be addressed. There have to be legal consequences for the key culprits – not because they made mistakes, but because they lied, defamed, slandered and libelled the innocent. Justice must be seen to be done.
YNWA the 96
DD.
The sad fact is the total count from Hillsborough goes far higher than 96. My friends from Liverpool tell some harrowing tales about the aftermath. The random distribution of tickets on the day left one guy with an unjustified guilt he couldn’t live with.
Stress took its toll for many.
I pray they all sleep better tonight.
Neganon.
I’ve told JF similar. We’re in no position to feel comfortable about anything till the suits get their act together. Governance ,strategy , ambition , the list goes way beyond a new manager.
NEGANON2:
Presumptious? Yes, of course it is. Celtic fans are awake for the first time in years. They realise that they still have the power to influence events here. The board can try to ignore us as they like, but sooner or later season ticket forms have to go out.
They need to up their game. Those of us putting the pressure on will keep it on.
I have faith. Not in the board, but in the fans themselves. I believe in that. They are the real custodians of the club. You should know. You’re one of them.
Night Timland. HH
ANGELGABRIEL
As with NEGANON so with you mate.
You fellas just keep on doing what you’re doing, you and the other guys on here and elsewhere who’re asking the tough questions and informing the debate. This is what it’s all about. The evidence that we’re badly run is now pretty much overwhelming.
Things will change because they have to, and when they do we’ll be in a good place.
Our club is still fundamentally strong.
I see the Mail on line says that some questions are being asked about the Masonic affiliation of the match commander David Duckenfield and his former boss Brian mole…both members of the same lodge
the masonic police lodges are allways allways exposed with every inquiry.
the Birmingham and Guildford proved this
BGX on 26TH APRIL 2016 11:52 PM
I remember being on the fence at the outer edge of the river heading out of Ibrox before you hit the waterfall of the stairway and literally doing a 360 degree and shouting for my mates.
That`s why I could understand completely how the tragedy at the other end happened.
Frankly , they didn`t give a damn about the welfare of supporters. Their`s or ours.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpFHffUPQho
My two worst experiences were at Hampden, the Leeds game in 1970 and T Brockville in 74 – yes the 9 in a row game.
The difference was that at Hampden it was a bit scary but exciting to be going down the steps, which funnelled toward the too small gate, with my feet off the ground, by the time of Brockville I was 16, old enough to understand that the situation was not good. We were crushed against the stadium wall (some turnstiles were closed) and all I could do was ‘wiggle’ along the wall until I fell backwards into a turnstile.
Closed turnstiles is an abiding memory from those days.
Celtic 3 Rangers 0 – 2004
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le_bNtfLRu8
LaMandragola,
Guardian had a story today where one officer alleged a Masonic cover up at heart of Police behaviour in the aftermath.
Secret societies which vow to protect a brother have no place in a modern society.
Dunblane is another example where there is a disturbing Masonic overtone as well.
I remember standing in Comet in Renfrew as those awful events unfolded, at first not sure quite what was happening until I saw people’s faces pressed against the fences. I stood paralysed in shock. That it has taken 27 years to get the correct outcome is testament to the dedication and determination of the families of those who died as well as the people who have admirably supported them through those years and the people of the Greater Liverpool area generally.
However and much more sinisterly, it is testament to how much the craft and the establishment have used all of their dark arts in order to subdue, pervert, misconstrue,obstruct and lie their collective way through 27 years of agony for the ordinary person. The person who doesn’t count, who doesn’t have the money to fight back or defend themselves from their slander and lies.
We have seen the evil News Group empire, the one where the owner and his son lie to a select committee with impunity, whose employees hack into people’s mobile devices, even dead children, again with impunity. We see News Groups cohorts in the political system defend these monsters where possible, who are in bed with these destroyers of society, again with impunity. We watch as a couple of token ‘celebrities’ are put away for heinous crimes while those at the top of that sordid pile are protected by the craft and their acolytes to the point that death will be their saviour.
Even our own beautiful game has been completely bastardised by the News Groups of this world, where the Champions League is no longer the domain of Champions and lesser leagues around Europe which once produced stellar talent have been reduced to virtual Sunday leagues. It is for everyone to decide but in this household, there are no News Group publications or TV channels, nor will there be. It’s Celtic TV and careful vetting of web pages that are not connected to this evil empire.
I note from one mail received tonight, that the ‘Times’ and the ‘Sun’ don’t even have Hillsborough on either of their front pages on Wednesday. Both of these publications and their tawdry owners are nothing but unadulterated SCUM.
Justice for the 96, God Bless all of them
Herald
“Celtic Football Club notes today’s verdict from the Hillsborough inquest which completely exonerates the 96 fans who tragically and unlawfully lost their lives in the 1989 disaster,” said the statement.
“For more than 27 long years the families of those who left us on that fateful day have campaigned for justice in the name of their loved ones and today’s news has finally brought that.
“Celtic and Liverpool have a strong bond dating back many years and the club sends its thoughts to all those concerned, including Liverpool FC, the City of Liverpool and the Justice for the 96 campaign, whose quest for the truth has today been realised.
“You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
A name I will be looking out for in the future.
Wishing Michael Duffy well.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/14453659._I_did_it_because_I_play_for_Celtic___Michael_Duffy_laughs_off_Rangers_guard_of_honour_snub_criticism/
Good morning CQN
Respect and admiration for those families of the 96 on achieving a remarkable victory for their loved ones
The need for independent open transparent journalism is greater than ever
Reminder: Duckenfield has had full pension for 25 years after being allowed to retire, aged 46, b/c of “post traumatic stress”.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/26/hillsborough-disaster-deadly-mistakes-and-lies-that-lasted-decades?CMP=share_btn_fb
Lionroars
To fight a campaign is indeed a noble thing. To fight a campaign for 27 years against state collusion is absolutely worthy of our respect and admiration.
JFT96
Good morning friends from a clea, dry, sunny yet slightly frosty (in the shadows) East Kilbride.
Frost on the car in Corcaigh……………….
BrightButBaltic CSC……….
Is it coincidence that the team playing out of Ibrox no longer get penalties since the won the league?
SUPERSUTTON on 27TH APRIL 2016 7:35 AM
Well spotted.
SUPERSUTTON,
“Honest mistakes” only occur when they need them. Look for plenty going against us for the rest of this season and, I’m sure, will be in overdrive next season.
Liverpool fans – You’ll Never Walk Alone….in the Jungle.
The 96 R.I.P.
The Spirit of The Kop & The Jungle is Eternal.
Never be afraid of the dark,…….never.
Thoughts & Prayers to all who are close
to The 96, God Bless.
Philbhoy, Wee Olivia and Family.
Thank you.
God bless.
!!BADA BING!! on 26TH APRIL 2016 7:21 PM
Bhoys,thanks for replies,for the avoidance of doubt,Paul McStay is one of the greatest ever Celtic players. I have met him a few times and you couldn’t meet a nicer guy,and not ashamed to admit I had tears in my eyes,in the Jungle the day he threw his jersey to us. HH
_________________________________________________________
I was in there myself that day.
think we go beat by, Murdo’s Hibs ?
Canny mind but, I think so.
I stand to be corrected.
Hail Hail
parkheadcumsalford,
If we put a decent team on the park, together with someone who can get the best out of them, then we will not have to worry too much about the brothers. Nothing that I have seen this season would worry me too much if we had a good team.
That’s not to say that the bar stewards will not do their darnedest to harm us.
ANTIPODEAN RED,
That’s the point of the “honest mistakes”. They only rear their ugly head when they’re necessary. Cup games have seen them regularly. Imo, they will be commonplace next season. If any of our remaining games need them, you can bet your house on it, they will happen.
It is something our incoming manager will have to be appraised of.
I hope yesterday’s Justice for the 96 result is the beginning of proceedings against all those who perpetuated the lie.
My admiration for the families, their friends and all those who stuck with it for 27 years in the face of evil, collusion and the corrupt state we live is immeasurable. They have stood by their lost loved ones proudly and heroically.
RIP the 96 and all those connected lives lost since.
MWD