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.
527 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- »
Morning Timland from a soon to be warm hun free mountain valley.
This is what we can expect next season, some of these are so blatant it’s actually quite funny.
http://itcantbeparanoia.blogspot.com.es/
T.E.T.
How about the throw in wrongly awarded to the hun , which led to their second ?
Airbrushed.
A well written appropriate article. Truth at last – now for Justice. The perseverance of the families is a thing of awe.
I’m sure there are those of us of a certain age who recall the Dundee game when winning the league in 1988. For me, the most frightening experience I had at a football match. There were many instances in the era at various grounds – Love Street was a particular delight.
Demonised football supporters, bad stadium design, big crowds, disregard for safety, a compliant press all conspired at Hillsborough. It could have happened at any one of a number of grounds in Scotland or England.
Crushing at the fitba….terrible experience.
The auld Cellic end at ibrokes was bad.
The City ground was scary stuff ootside, the cops were strict and I remember sumdy flicked a fag doubt at the erse of police horse, after it was getting close to the fans and the thing went berserk. Bhoy who flicked the fag doubt had just missed being crushed by the big bassa. That apart, The Celtic support were brilliant down there.
Easter road was bad for crushing as well. I recall one midweek game there during Mr Stein’s last season in charge, and coming out the ground, it was as if the cops had set a trap for us at the bridge so that the Hibs fans could attack us with bottles and cans. The Celtic support got through the bridge and chased the Hibs fans leading to a battle in the big main street thingy(don’t know the name of it) and, we went back to Easter road on the Saturday and, got cuffed 1-4. Anyway,….Celtic crossed the ball into the Hibs box, the ball was taken by the Hibs gk who, on landing….put the boot into Tom McAdam!
The mib waved play on and, a riot started at the Celtic end, all the missiles were being thrown from the back of the Celtic end and, us young yins had to go onto the pitch to escape. Mr Stein came over and ushered us back onto the terracing. The cops made sure that there was plenty of crushing outside as well.
Loads of times I’ve been carried along with the crowd coming out the Jungle. The Janefield Street ‘riot’ was scary with the horses almost galloping over disabled fans. One of the guys that I was there with, jumped up and hooked one of the horses. He was a nutter from Burnbank but, was an unrepentant fenian nutter and, was a prominent battler in the Hampden riot 1980 and, he left Scotland so that he could go down south and experience ‘crowd-trouble’ down there. He used to go to games against the huns and, go into the huns end so that he could see what the Cellic end looked like to them, as I said he was a nutter.
I got the fright of my life with the crushing in trying to get out of the Cellic end at Hundump after we’d just won the double in 1977. On leaving, we got to midway down the stairs then, the cops locked the gates as the huns had come round for a battle. The gates were locked to split us up but, we ended up trapped as the huns lobbed bottles and iron bars over the wall. When the cops opened the gates, Celtic fans charged out but were met with a police cordon and the huns had bolted but, being trapped while they threw stuff over the wall was real scary. Watching the images of the Liverpool fans crushing was so, so sad. During the late 70’s the Celtic support backed Man Utd and, couldny stand Liverpool cause King Kenny went there. Indeed, when KK and Liverpool came to Celtic Park to play in the Jock Stein Testimonial, the Jungle roasted KK’s erse every time he touched the ball. That was a bad night in the Jungle…a horrible, atmosphere.
Having said all of that….stadiums with all seating are soulless. The Germans have got it right and, financially….standing area’s will return as more fans are lost to the game as it is too dear for a lot of folk….imho.
TRUTH – JUSTICE – GOD BLESS THE 96
You’ll Never Walk Alone in the Jungle & The Kop.
……laters……
Meetings to confabulate their narrative.
Hundreds of police statements altered to fit their narrative.
Those who had a version which didn’t fit the narrative were intimidated , threatened and sidelined.
A compliant media were utilised to disseminate the lies.
A compliant MP was used to disseminate the lies.
The Home Office followed the party line.
The Government followed the party line..
Corrupt self serving bastards.
MICK1888,
Too true. Makes you wonder about the police/Goverment current collusion to demonise elements of the support. Not helped by the comments from the likes of Nicholson yesterday. We are despised by the Establishment, as were the ordinary football supporter 27 years ago.
Just in and straight back out.
Apols if this has already been posted.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03sb94b
King Kenny speaking to his daughter on 5Live.
Worth 10 mins of your time.
Undoubtedly his finest hour.
HH jamesgang
Sevco have dropped 25 points in 35 games played in the Championship. If we beat Hertz we will also have dropped 25 points in the SPFL. Yet Warbs is a magician & Ronny is a dud. The only difference’s between both,
in favour of Warbs a missed penalty in a shoot out, In favour of Ronny playing in a higher quality League.
Such are the variables in Football. Having said that I am relieved Ronny is stepping down, overall we were going backwards under his stewardship. My first choice replacement would be Martin O’Neill but that won’t happen so I’ll make do with David Moyes.
Corkcelt
I hope you’re cheerier than you were a few days back.
You were one of the smilers on here whose good humour was infectious.
Speaking of which where has y’in Monaghan Bhoy been when we’ve needed him?!?
HH jamesgang
OLD TORY GOVERNMENT
UNIONS MINERS FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS
NEW TORY GOVERNMENT
SICK AND DISABLED, JUNIOR DOCTORS TRADE UNIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS..
NOTHING CHANGES WITH THIS ROTTEN, STINKING,MONEY GRABBING, SELF SERVING ,VILE, TAX AVOIDING CHEATING MOB
OOPS SEEMS i’M SHOUTING…..
Good coverage on the Italian equivalent of the BBC.- human error and incompetence leading to tragedy is one thing but what happened afterwards was systemic , organised perversion of truth and justice…Just like the Mafia.
Believe the date and nothing else!
Steve Bell’s view of the Scum Front Page:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cartoon/2012/sep/12/hillsborough-sun-front-page-mackenzie
Yep I’ve cheered up a bit Jamesgang, Will be happier when we have the Title wrapped up and a new gaffer in place. Now oofff ooot to try & play golf.
BLANTYRETIM
Under Thatcher,the miners were the union with most popular support.
So she hammered them,and in the process neutered all unions in the private/industrial sector.
This government have public sector unions in their sights,they want the same result. So they have gone after the sector with most popular support.
If they defeat the doctors,the public sector union strength will be eliminated.
Bloody banana republic.
Strong comment on Italian radio re the Hillsborough cover up being a ” national disgrace ” 96 people dehumanised to suit an ideological narrative.
Kevjungle@ 8.41
Remember that wel. Hibs keeper was Mike McDonald, a big Celtic man.
Also notable as the day Michael Conroy junior made his competitive debut for Celtic.
IMo, a fine player who should have been retained at Celtic Park for longer than he was.
Frankie Boyle and his opinion on the government’s treatment of junior doctors,et al.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/27/jeremy-hunt-doesnt-understand-junior-doctors-book-dismantle-nhs
NEW TORY GOVERNMENT
SICK AND DISABLED, JUNIOR DOCTORS
===========================================
Mmmmm
Bit of a non sequitur there.
GGH
Yes indeed. We signed Mike Conroy on the Monday from Port Glasgow Juniors and played him on the Saturday.
I was there too,but by that stage of the season I was in utter despair. We struggled to field a full eleven some weeks,such were the injury problems.
MACJAY
You might be reading it wrong. I’d say BT’s post is pretty much on the button.
But of course,you didn’t have to put up with Thatcher. I’ll excuse your lack of knowledge on her government,and on this.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 27TH APRIL 2016 9:03 AM
BLANTYRETIM
Under Thatcher,the miners were the union with most popular support.
………………………….etc.
===================================================================
And yet , the decent British people voted for her
and voted for her
and voted for her.
And then voted for her successor.
If my memory serves me well, 1 st of May is sad 5th anniversary of Pablophanque passing. It’s probably too late to commemorate his name in the way he deserved it to be commemorated. Kano Foundation and good other actions would not be the same without Steve. Maybe someone can ask in his parish if Steve name can be added to the intentions on Sunday? Of course, it would be fine if he can ask Sarah and Joni if they are not against this idea.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 27TH APRIL 2016 9:22 AM
I lived through the chaotic situation in U.K. prior to Thatcher.
I perfectly well understood the circumstances which led the smart British people choosing her.
Perhaps the lesser of two evils.
By far.
Lack of knowledge ?
I don`t think so.
BMCUW
I would have to say that performances that season made this season look like the Lisbon lions in their heyday.
Never missed a game that season and thought that Peter lLatchford saved us from being considerably worse in terms of league position than we were.
Still, the 4-2 game next season made up for it.
MACJAY
An outsider looking in,mate. Like my opinions of foreign politicians,they count for little as I haven’t the on-the -ground experience.
GGH
Rough wi the smooth,bud.
How far down were we that season? Plenty.
In 86-87,having thrown away the league? Plenty.
In 99-2000? Plenty.
And yet,back we came,knocking that supremacist smirk right down their throats.
It’s a guid feeling,I’d like it again in a year from now.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 27TH APRIL 2016 9:28 AM
MACJAY
Come on ,Bobby.
Shooting the messenger?
And the cops are no different now a days than they where 27 years ago or even ever, and we are supposed to respect them? Along with an SNP government times in this country will get worse, of that I have no doubt, and all because one red headed Tim from Lurgan stood up to a fat Hun bassa after a derby game in Glasgow, it never ceases to amaze me how quickly people forgot that, that’s the night the SNP showed exactly who they where, and sprang into action immediately, nailed there colours to the mast on that one incident alone, but! Shhhhhhhhh don’t mention that ffs.
TONY DONNELLY67 on 27TH APRIL 2016 9:33 AM
You`re right.
That shouldn`t be forgotten.
MACJAY
“I perfectly well understood the circumstances which led the smart British people choosing her.”
Aye,like the prospect of a redundancy package that could be used to buy their council house. Wi the next generation struggling to find either as a result.
Smart indeed.
I recall my Dad and I in a pub in late 83. A mate of my Dad has just lost his job-a plumber-due to “the usual crap,economic circumstances”
As my Dad ordered him a pint,he asked who he’d voted for in the recent election.
Tory,was the reply. (He won by the way)
My Dad told him to buy his own effing pint.
She created nothing but desolation and despair,mate. And she loved it.
TD67
Better get used to it.
Yer stuck wi them,same way I’m stuck wi Tories down here.
Democracy,eh?
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 27TH APRIL 2016 9:40 AM
Example for you.
Miner`s strike….led by the bold Art. Scargil.
Last seen in court suing the N.U.M. over his free house.
Thatcher clocked him for the self serving little sod that he was.
Who was the Union Official who said…..” Lions led by Donkeys.”
Well I agree with him.
We`re never going to agree.
So let`s not bother trying.
MACJAY
I agree. We won’t,not on this. My main point is that I don’t think you’re well-placed to judge.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 27TH APRIL 2016 9:40 AM
And nowadays more people rent than buy their home. And most of those will be on short term leases with no security of tenure.
Thatcherism has failed, even by its own standards.
Macjay
I’ve just visited a 63 year pld man who cant get out of his bed yet the DWP are trying to force him to go for a medical and get back to work, The sick and disabled are being treated like the dirt on the governments shoe…
I see it every day…..
and I worked in the DHSS when Thatcher was in charge, not a lot has changed
Zbyszek- thankyou for the timely reminder; I knew it was around this time of the year.
I will certainly be lighting a candle for Steve on Sunday.
He contributed so much in the heyday of the ole bhlog- he would be angry and frustrated at what it has become.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 27TH APRIL 2016 9:55 AM
MACJAY
I agree. We won’t,not on this. My main point is that I don’t think you’re well-placed to judge.
=====================================================================
Just one thing,Bobby.
I won`t get into the political posts if no-one else does.
Was that not what Paul requested ?
I think?
Good to see at last some justice for the 96 souls of Hillsborough and vindication for their families.
The black heart of the establishment is exposed once again for what it is, a stinking, corrupt, devoid of grace monstrosity.
A mighty Hail Hail to the families who never walked alone and to all in Liverpool..