"We cannot forget what happened for by doing so we fail those who perished unnecessarily - and in doing so we open ourselves to the possibility of it happening again. Lets continue our campaign for the truth, renewed and refreshed by the memories of the dead and the injured, and the realisation that the Hillsborough disaster is recognised by many outside of our own small community. It crossed the lines in the sand that are drawn by our tribal like support of our clubs and many of our foes are standing side by side with us on this issue." (From YNWA - April 2006.)
And it nearly did happen again. The police, with a remit for crowd control and safety, ignore their responsibility for safety and just aim for control. The crowd is forced into a small fenced area - way beyond the capacity for that area to contain the number of people in it. People are hurt. The police act inappropriately - even forcing people back into the fenced area. The outcome - luckily this time there were no deaths. The police, as normal, blame the fans - an easy target and one that the Media is happy to castigate. Wouldn't be the first time would it?
The lessons of Hillsborough have not been learned. The fact that the press and the authorities passed the blame squarely onto the fans and never accepted responsibility themselves meant that the chance to learn valuable lessons almost vanished. The continuing media ignorance of events that day means people are still blaming Liverpool fans for what happened. McKenzie still uses his role as the Editor of that rag to reinforce his image as a "controversial media figure". In reality the man is a moral vacuum who puts nothing before money and his own image. He does not even have the guts to face Liverpool fans in debate, as seen by his disappearing act from Question time.
A generation has passed since Hillsborough. A whole generation that grew up without the direct memory of Hillsborough as a back drop to their footballing memories. However for younger Liverpool fans that means they are still tarred with the same brush as the rest of us and the lazy journalism of today is more than happy to continue that legacy.
Let us ensure that we do not fall into the same trap. Let us continue to challenge the lies of the media. Let us speak out to what really happened that day. Let us strive for Justice for the 96.
The 15th April is the day to remember Hillsborough and all those who went to a game and did not come back:
John Alfred Anderson (62)
Colin Mark Ashcroft (19)
James Gary Aspinall (18)
Kester Roger Marcus Ball (16)
Gerard Bernard Patrick Baron (67)
Simon Bell (17)
Barry Sidney Bennett (26)
David John Benson (22)
David William Birtle (22)
Tony Bland (22)
Paul David Brady (21)
Andrew Mark Brookes (26)
Carl Brown (18)
David Steven Brown (25)
Henry Thomas Burke (47)
Peter Andrew Burkett (24)
Paul William Carlile (19)
Raymond Thomas Chapman (50)
Gary Christopher Church (19)
Joseph Clark (29)
Paul Clark (18)
Gary Collins (22)
Stephen Paul Copoc (20)
Tracey Elizabeth Cox (23)
James Philip Delaney (19)
Christopher Barry Devonside (18)
Christopher Edwards (29)
Vincent Michael Fitzsimmons (34)
Thomas Steven Fox (21)
Jon-Paul Gilhooley (10)
Barry Glover (27)
Ian Thomas Glover (20)
Derrick George Godwin (24)
Roy Harry Hamilton (34)
Philip Hammond (14)
Eric Hankin (33)
Gary Harrison (27)
Stephen Francis Harrison (31)
Peter Andrew Harrison (15)
David Hawley (39)
James Robert Hennessy (29)
Paul Anthony Hewitson (26)
Carl Darren Hewitt (17)
Nicholas Michael Hewitt (16)
Sarah Louise Hicks (19)
Victoria Jane Hicks (15)
Gordon Rodney Horn (20)
Arthur Horrocks (41)
Thomas Howard (39)
Thomas Anthony Howard (14)
Eric George Hughes (42)
Alan Johnston (29)
Christine Anne Jones (27)
Gary Philip Jones (18)
Richard Jones (25)
Nicholas Peter Joynes (27)
Anthony Peter Kelly (29)
Michael David Kelly (38)
Carl David Lewis (18)
David William Mather (19)
Brian Christopher Mathews (38)
Francis Joseph McAllister (27)
John McBrien (18)
Marion Hazel McCabe (21)
Joseph Daniel McCarthy (21)
Peter McDonnell (21)
Alan McGlone (28)
Keith McGrath (17)
Paul Brian Murray (14)
Lee Nicol (14)
Stephen Francis O'Neill (17)
Jonathon Owens (18)
William Roy Pemberton (23)
Carl William Rimmer (21)
David George Rimmer (38)
Graham John Roberts (24)
Steven Joseph Robinson (17)
Henry Charles Rogers (17)
Colin Andrew Hugh William Sefton (23)
Inger Shah (38)
Paula Ann Smith (26)
Adam Edward Spearritt (14)
Philip John Steele (15)
David Leonard Thomas (23)
Patrik John Thompson (35)
Peter Reuben Thompson (30)
Stuart Paul William Thompson (17)
Peter Francis Tootle (21)
Christopher James Traynor (26)
Martin Kevin Traynor (16)
Kevin Tyrrell (15)
Colin Wafer (19)
Ian David Whelan (19)
Martin Kenneth Wild (29)
Kevin Daniel Williams (15)
Graham John Wright (17)
Let us remember also that the scars from that day run deep and in many cases will never fade. Once the 15th is past we must continue to remember and stand up for what is right.
"Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose."
Find the strength to be courageous. You'll find many friends alongside you.
You'll Never Walk Alone.
