Ray Vonderkop

just sent this to Jo Whiley seeing as she wanted to know what 'random thoughts were going round my head this morning' Hi, disappointment that despite all the credible information now in the public domain about the Hillsborough disaster, and the largely accurate coverage given by the BBC over the last 10 days, Newsbeat yesterday could still make the statement that "An official enquiry blamed supporters behaviour for too many fans getting into one end of the stadium..." No such official conclusion exists. If anything the supporters' behaviour on that day is officially credited with saving lives in the absence of effective action by the emergency services. Newsbeat's shocking failure to get its facts right does the BBC no credit, the dead bereaved and traumatised no justice whatsoever and serves to endorse the prejudiced views of the mailicious and ignorant, over 20 years after the event. What am I to believe? That a national media smear campaign continues to this day? Please let me know. Just so YOU know, I was there that day with a ticket and without having had a drink. I was one of the first 20-30 fans admitted by stadium staff through exit gate C onto the Leppings Lane terrace at 2.50 pm. I feel therefore I can talk on the subject with some authority and an accuracy so sadly missing from yesterday's report. Should you wish to examine the real truth please have a look at The Hillsborough Football Disaster: Context & Consequences or Professor Phil Scraton's book 'Hillsborough The Truth' 20th anniversary edition. Any chance we can have a public retraction / apology in Newsbeat's 1pm slot? I look forward to hearing from you. ... wont be holding me breath like :no

Yeah well in for the clued up Blues, way I look at the final is that seeing as Ive got Evertonian mates Id rather people I know and respect were happy rather than someone 200 mile down the road I dont know

Thanks for the messages of support, the organisers have asked me to pass on the following. Firstly & most importantly £4000 has been raised for the HFSG. Although the turnout wasnt quite as big as was hoped for massive thanks go out to everybody who came down, to all the artists who gave their time and skills for free and to all the 02 Academy Arena staff who were without exception fantastic before, during and after the event. It was a boss night and I think its fair to say the crowd had a great time, again thanks and respect to everybody who coughed up bearing in mind times are hard financially. The performers played a blinder too so well done to all concerned - there was even a scouse super group rendition of Fields Of Anfield Road as a finale led by John Power. The only downer from the organisers point of view was one of the performers having a public and unneccessary pop at James Walsh about coverage he has had from The Scum. The organisers would like to point out that James flew in from Belfast at his own expense to perform last night. The initial pre gig demands from the critic concerned shall however remain a private matter. Thanks again to everybody who contributed to last nights success, and I'd like to also thank the Evertonians on stage and in the crowd who played a part as well. Some foties taken by local fotie legend Mark McNulty can be seen on his blog link to which is on OTK RAWK & TIA Nice 1 y'all :thumbup:

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Pete Wylie confirmed today

Statement from Starsailor's James Walsh I just thought it was time to respond to the small amount of controversy surrounding my appearance at the forthcoming Hillsborough tribute concert relating to an 'alledged' gig with 'The Sun'. This is particularly upsetting for me as I was approached by The Sun recently to write an article about Hillsborough and the forthcoming events commemorating the 20 years. As an avid Liverpool fan and knowing the hatred towards the paper I point blank refused to write the article as I knew the upset that doing something like this would cause. The gig in question from which all this has sprung from was in fact a gig for a cancer charity which 'The Sun' became involved in. I felt I owed it to the charity to complete the show as I had already agreed to do it. Basically anybody who thinks that any gossip or tittle tattle that appears in the showbiz pages wipes out all the good work that I have done for this club over the years(performing in various charity gigs,contributing to the hillsborough cd,Ray Kennedy tribute,Spirit Of Shankly gig) then I'm sorry you are wrong. James Walsh

02 Academy (old Lomax 2), Hotham St, Liverpool - Saturday 18th April 2009 FABIAN ROTHSCHILDE PRESENTS presents KOP OF THE POPS, Hillsborough 20 Years & No Justice, BLUETONES (acoustic), Ian McNabb, Ian Prowse (Amsterdam), Sums, Western Promise, Mojave Collective, Steve Diggle, Tony Griffiths, James Walsh (Starsailor), Rain, Book, DJs Peter Hooton (The Farm) & Billy Cox (Basscamp/Academy) at O2 Academy Liverpool, Saturday, April 18 at 5:00 PM Sorry havnt posted enough on here to give tickets link but see RAWK/OTK for this or call the venue box office on 08444 77 2000 For those that dont know Tony Griffiths is out of scouse legends The Real People and Steve Diggle is out of manc legends The Buzzcocks. More acts/appearances to be confirmed, will post again as soon as I know. Many thanks :thumbup: