I've opened an account to send a message of support and respect to fellow football supporters and to pay my respects to The 96, their families and all who supported this worthy cause.
This is a time to lay aside rivalry - no matter how heated and intense.
What happened at Hillsboro' in 1989 was - and IS - a national disgrace and those who haven't supported The 96 and their families throughout this time should hang their heads in shame - including a number from the club i also once supported man and boy for 40+ years...and your bitter rival up the East Lancs Rd(I handed in my season ticket of 30 years in disgust 5 years ago as i refused to be a 'sold to customer' of corporate greed any longer. You guys have been rescued by the Phenomenon that is Herr Klopp!).
I lived through your domination for 2 decades from the terrace - standing! - both at OT, and at Anfield on many occasions(including one time 'undercover' on the Kop when Whiteside score the winner)...and through our 2 decades of domination - sitting, but without a prawn sandwich.
The dignity, courage and determination shown by the families and supporters of The96 over nearly 30 years has been a wonder to observe...as has been their refusal to accept anything but Truth and Justice.
Yesterday they were both vindicated and validated. They deserve to be honored.
Anyone who did not whell up to see them sing YNWA outside the court yesterday has a black heart of stone. The TRUE supporters of my once proud club Im sure will stand with me on this. Anyone who doesn't is indeed scum who i disassociate myself from.
I stood on that very Leepings Lane terrace - in the central block - at another FA Cup semi(vs Derby County) in 1976 - THIRTEEN years before The96 Tragedy took place. I was 15, like many who died that day. I say 'stood' but in truth from the moment i exited that dark tunnel entrance and entered the pens my feet never touched the ground until i was back the other side 95 minutes later - such was the mass intense crush. Crowd control was non existent. The coppers were invisible other than looking for an excuse to wade in and smack us about.
The only saving grace was that back then there were no fences to imprison in.
It was an accident waiting to happen year after year. Accept Hillsboro 89 was NO accident. It was criminal negligence and incompetence from start to finish...and then compounded by lies, deceit and cover up.
A f**cking DISGRACE!
We have been rivals my entire 55 years but today i stand shoulder to shoulder with you in honor of the fallen...and their families.
RIP The96
May their families now find some peace
You'll NEVER Walk Alone