Hillsborough 15th April 1989 - 25yrs On

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

When does it become appropriate to draw a line under wider 'commemoration/remembrance' of this terrible event?

Without wishing in any way to diminish the horror of the day - we are not talking about Flanders Fields. Whilst we all recognise that Hillsborough had a wide and quite significant impact on British football as a whole - the human disaster was, and remains, Liverpool's and the wider Liverpool FC supporting community.

I see no disrespect to those communities of clubs around the country honouring for the last time the memory of those who died, were injured and have suffered since - and then leaving it at that. As for most key events in our history remembrance will of course be made on key anniversaries and Liverpool and Liverpool FC will continue to remember in whatever way they feel necessary and appropriate - as is their absolute prerogative.

But we should not feel that any day is so owned by any event no matter how terrible to the exclusion and disruption of all else - we ascribe that to only one day - and the day that really should matter to us all - 11th November.

 

[brendy]

Living memory seems to be the norm, though those directly related to the event will remember it for a lot longer.

 

[pokerjoke]

Im trying to understand why you felt the need to post this.

 

[Liverbirdie]

I agree, it should be honoured by Liverpool, Everton (if they so wish) and that's it IMHO. Although, we still need accountability/justice to happen, then it is easier to move on. I hate these threads though on Hillsborough, as I normally make at least 1-2 enemies for life on this forum. I wonder who it will be this time, there is also at least one pub bore who wants to be contrary......

 

[guest100718]

25 yrs! wow that long ago. . I'd say its for the families, friends and community of those who were lost to 'remember'. Although the efforts to bring about accountability and justice where its due should not be forgotten.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Im trying to understand why you felt the need to post this.

Because this year is the 25yrs anniversary and at some point we not directly impacted should be able to accept and move on without guilt or fear of reprimand or retribution.

I am also little uncomfortable with 15th April becoming sacrosanct. The Hillsborough inquest has found Liverpool supporters not guilty of the disaster (please let's not try an unravel or debate that statement in the context of what I am saying). The broader UK football community should not therefore feel it necessary to continue support through remembrance of that cause now won. With Hillsborough our part is done. We should enable Liverpool and Liverpool FC to remember their loss in whatever way and whenever they so deem fit.

When my son and I visited Hillsborough for a Wednesday match last year - we - like many other Wednesday and Cardiff City supporters paid our respects in silence at the memorial outside the ground. We can, each and every one of us, do that whenever we wish.

 

[Foxholer]

There's probably a 'sliding scale' of levels of remembrance for the parties involved.

However, I hope that the Police forces involved in the subsequent cover-up are NEVER allowed to forget!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

There's probably a 'sliding scale' of levels of remembrance for the parties involved.

However, I hope that the Police forces involved in the subsequent cover-up are NEVER allowed to forget!

Absolutely because as a regular at big matches through mid-70s to early 80s - there but for the grace of God go I

 

[Pin-seeker]

Not sure why Gerrards recent £96k donation had to be made public.
It was also well publicised that Suarez's fine after biting Ivanovic would be going to the Hillsborough charity. Suppose it's just good PR.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

There's probably a 'sliding scale' of levels of remembrance for the parties involved.

However, I hope that the Police forces involved in the subsequent cover-up are NEVER allowed to forget!

And don't forget The FA in that aswell.

Back on topic, i think due to the massive cover up of the establishments and the fact we have had to fight to expose the lies and get the truth out that's why its maybe getting more coverage than what you'd like.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Not sure why Gerrards recent £96k donation had to be made public.
It was also well publicised that Suarez's fine after biting Ivanovic would be going to the Hillsborough charity. Suppose it's just good PR.

Do you honestly believe this?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Absolutely because as a regular at big matches through mid-70s to early 80s - there but for the grace of God go I

Totally agree. Use to go away with Fulham and England. Some of the forces around the country, for what was the bottom tier of league football were totally OTT. There would sometimes be 100 fans tops to places like Hartlepool on a Tuesday night and there was often almost as many police. I rarely went to First Division games aside from a few Wimbledon matches at Plough Lane and even as a home (neutral) fan you always felt scrutinised. Some of the police forces abroad, (Poland, Italy) were armed thugs looking for an excuse. You didn't need the home fans!

I always thought with the state of grounds at that time, there was a ticking time bomb waiting to happen as Bradford demonstrated. The events of Hillsborough are well known. I am all for the families pursuing the truth about the police actions, their negligence and getting the action those mistakes. However as a football fan, first and foremost I do agree that perhaps the 25th anniversary is the ideal opportunity to draw a line under this tragic event for the greater public

 

[Pin-seeker]

Do you honestly believe this?

I honestly do. I found it very poor when Liverpool used Hillsborough in the Suarez case. Fair enough paying the fine to the Hillsborough charity,but why publicise it??
I don't want to get into a big debate on it,it's just my opinion.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Totally agree. Use to go away with Fulham and England. Some of the forces around the country, for what was the bottom tier of league football were totally OTT. There would sometimes be 100 fans tops to places like Hartlepool on a Tuesday night and there was often almost as many police. I rarely went to First Division games aside from a few Wimbledon matches at Plough Lane and even as a home (neutral) fan you always felt scrutinised. Some of the police forces abroad, (Poland, Italy) were armed thugs looking for an excuse. You didn't need the home fans!

I always thought with the state of grounds at that time, there was a ticking time bomb waiting to happen as Bradford demonstrated. The events of Hillsborough are well known. I am all for the families pursuing the truth about the police actions, their negligence and getting the action those mistakes. However as a football fan, first and foremost I do agree that perhaps the 25th anniversary is the ideal opportunity to draw a line under this tragic event for the greater public

I think it should be upto the families and survivors to decide when "to draw a line in the sand".

This is a very sensitive topic for me so i'll leave my thoughts for another time.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

I honestly do. I found it very poor when Liverpool used Hillsborough in the Suarez case. Fair enough paying the fine to the Hillsborough charity,but why publicise it??
I don't want to get into a big debate on it,it's just my opinion.

I suppose the old saying "opinions are like arse holes" sums up perfectly.

 

[Hobbit]

I don't think it matters whether its 10 years or 25 yrs or... each to their own. Some will do there own thing to remember, some will prefer something more public, and others will want to forget. I wouldn't decry anyone's choice in that.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think it should be upto the families and survivors to decide when "to draw a line in the sand".

This is a very sensitive topic for me so i'll leave my thoughts for another time.

Sorry Stuart, I think you misunderstand. No offence meant. I totally agree with your comment about friends and family needing to decide their own time to move on. I didn't mean that. I was talking about the wider football fan base, people like me. We all share the pain and it was horrific to watch unfolding, hard to read about in the following years and frustrating to see how shoddily the families have been shafted at every turn. It will never go away and nor should it be forgotten. However for the majority of fans, time moves on. As I said, not trying to cause offense and I think (hope) something hot lost in translation

 

[Pin-seeker]

I suppose the old saying "opinions are like arse holes" sums up perfectly.

Touché :thup:

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Sorry Stuart, I think you misunderstand. No offence meant. I totally agree with your comment about friends and family needing to decide their own time to move on. I didn't mean that. I was talking about the wider football fan base, people like me. We all share the pain and it was horrific to watch unfolding, hard to read about in the following years and frustrating to see how shoddily the families have been shafted at every turn. It will never go away and nor should it be forgotten. However for the majority of fans, time moves on. As I said, not trying to cause offense and I think (hope) something hot lost in translation

Homer no need to apologise pal, i certainly don't expect the football world to come to a stand still, some might most won't.

I think its only got so much coverage due to the size of the cover up from the establishment.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I have no doubt that the continuing publicity surrounding Hillsborough and the search for the truth is keeping the disaster fresh in the memory and the regular news items mean that to many people, it is still current and raw.

I think the point the Op was making was that other football related disasters have now fallen out of the minds of the wider,general population, Events which happened on 2 January 1971 or 11 May 1985 for instance will mean nothing to many people, until I mention Ibrox and Bradford City, and even then only those old enough to remember, or those versed in the history of their team will realise the significance, But for those involved, their memories will be as raw as Hillsborough