Hillsborough 25th Anniversary

[Deleted member 15344]

25 years ago 96 people went to a watch and football match and never went home again

There were fathers , mothers , daughters , sons , brothers , young and old

They will never be forgotten


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)



JFT 96

YNWA

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Some wonderful pictures from around the grounds here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27001696

Hillsborough - a personal memory

Steve Wilson | 14:43 UK time, Thursday, 9 April 2009

It was a run-of-the-mill conversation with a friend in a pub. The kind of conversation you might have any night of the week - the kind that might change your life.

I had just bought my ticket for the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, a ticket for the Leppings Lane end. I had been to Hillsborough enough times to know that the view from this sunken terrace was of railings and boots almost at eye-level.

My friend Tony, a Manchester United fan, sympathised over a pint and told me that he had found a way to the open segment of terracing over the corner flag. "Less atmosphere, but if you want to actually get a decent view of the game it might be worth checking out. Just get through the turnstile and head left."

At about two o'clock on 15 April, I made my way into Hillsborough and was confronted by the low-ceilinged tunnel that led to the central terracing behind the goal - already looking full.

I headed left.

This Saturday, Football Focus will be live at both Anfield and Hillsborough to mark the 20th anniversary of the disaster at Sheffield Wednesday's ground - a disaster which claimed 96 lives and which changed British football forever.



Thousands gather at Anfield to remember those who died in the Hillsborough disaster

As part of the programme, I was asked to return to Hillsborough to retrace my steps that day. I had some misgivings about taking part. Firstly, I felt my story was insignificant compared to that of so many others - I'd been safe throughout and didn't know anyone who died. Secondly, although I had been back to Hillsborough as a commentator, I hadn't stood on the Leppings Lane in the 20 years that have passed. I expected it to be difficult. It was.

The turnstiles are still there, the tunnel is still there. Everything about the place resonates, everything so familiar. Just being there induced a feeling of nausea in the pit of my stomach.

For the purposes of the camera, I went through the turnstile and was confronted by that low ceilinged tunnel - empty. Again I headed left for the terracing that had been my vantage point on that awful afternoon.

For 96 people who paused at the tunnel and headed straight on, there would be no chance of safety. No chance to step away from the seemingly trivial decision they had just made. No way to escape from the cage behind the Hillsborough goal.

I was 21 in April 1989 - older than many of those who died. In the 20 years since, I have been blessed with a happy marriage, three children and a fulfilling career. What might the 96 have done in that time? What love affairs have never been, what friendships never forged, what children never conceived?

The game has changed, and some say not completely for the better. But if you are lucky enough to be able to take your children to a match and sit in safety; to be treated with respect by those who police our grounds and to get home again without being crushed or scared, give those 96 a thought.

Honour, for a moment, those whose deaths made it happen.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/stevewilson/2009/04/hillsborough.html

 

[Deleted member 15344]

The Justice Bell by Dave Kirby

A schoolboy holds a leather ball

in a photograph on a bedroom wall

the bed is made, the curtains drawn

as silence greets the break of dawn.

The dusk gives way to morning light

revealing shades of red and white

which hang from posters locked in time

of the Liverpool team of 89.

Upon a pale white quilted sheet

a football kit is folded neat

with a yellow scarf, trimmed with red

and some football boots beside the bed.

In hope, the room awakes each day

to see the boy who used to play

but once again it wakes alone

for this young boy's not coming home.

Outside, the springtime fills the air

the smell of life is everywhere

viola's bloom and tulips grow

while daffodils dance heel to toe.

These should have been such special times

for a boy who'd now be in his prime

but spring forever turned to grey

in the Yorkshire sun, one April day.

The clock was locked on 3.06

as sun shone down upon the pitch

lighting up faces etched in pain

as death descended on Leppings Lane.

Between the bars an arm is raised

amidst a human tidal wave

a young hand yearning to be saved

grows weak inside this deathly cage.

A boy not barely in his teens

is lost amongst the dying screams

a body too frail to fight for breath

is drowned below a sea of death

His outstretched arm then disappears

to signal fourteen years of tears

as 96 souls of those who fell

await the toll of the justice bell.

Ever since that disastrous day

a vision often comes my way

I reach and grab his outstretched arm

then pull him up away from harm.

We both embrace with tear-filled eyes

I then awake to realise

its the same old dream I have each week

as I quietly cry myself to sleep.

On April the 15th every year

when all is calm and skies are clear

beneath a glowing Yorkshire moon

a lone scots piper plays a tune.

The tune rings out the justice cause

then blows due west across the moors

it passes by the eternal flame

then engulfs a young boy's picture frame.

His room is as it was that day

for twenty years its stayed that way

untouched and frozen forever in time

since that tragic day in 89.

And as it plays its haunting sound

tears are heard from miles around

they're tears from families of those who fell

awaiting the toll of the justice bell.

 

[One Planer]

While I sympathise and understand this an emotive subject I will ask that this thread be kept clean and on topic.

If it degenerates or falls off topic it will be removed.

 

[Pin-seeker]

RIP thoughts with the families. Can't imagine a loved one going to a football match & not returning.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

RIP 96 INNOCENT fans.

Colin Andrew Hugh William Sefton (23) This young man was a Spurs fan, he took a spare ticket at 10 am on the morning of the game so he could drive a few of his mates to the game as the original driver dropped out last minute.

He never came home.

 

[davidy233]

I was in the ground at this time 25 years ago - supporting Nottingham Forest (went to see them regularly when I lived down south as my mate was a big Forest fan) - what happened in the next hour changed the way I've felt about football ever since - I still love the game and my team, but I don't hate any other team.

The couple of weeks after the game were torture for me - what the last 25 years have been like for the families is unthinkable

One of the most moving things I've ever seen was the first anniversary weekend when Forest played at Anfield and they had aservice before the match - I'm not religious but it was incredible.

JFT96

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Wonderful from both Brendan and Roberto - perfect words

The standing ovation for Kenny couldn't have been more fitting - what a man he is

Always a tear when the names are read out

 

[chrisd]

I've been to most home games at Selhurst Park this season and I just can't imagine a game where 96 people don't go home at the end of the day.

My thoughts are with those families, the other fans, the teams involved and the people who helped others to survive.

 

[SaintHacker]

I was a schoolboy living in Formby at the time. I had several friends at the game but thankfully none were in the Leppings Lane end. 25 years of living with the knowledge that your loved one was quite probably killed unlawfully is unthinkable. I pray the families get the closure they have been fighting for sooner rather than later.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

https://grabyo.com/g/v/olMbV7fBaJt

Roberto and Brendan's speeches

 

[DanFST]

RIP, still hate to think that something like that can happen. However we need to learn from it to stop it happening again.

 

[clubchamp98]

This made me shed a tear . Worked in Kirkby for 40yrs knew some of the relatives . It dosnt get any easier even after all this time. Hope the truth comes out this time to let families close ....JFT96.