Hillsborough Disaster: Remembering the 96 Who Never Got Home

The journey to Sheffield twenty-two years ago was an optimistic one for many. It was the Semi-final of the FA Cup between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool. The Nottingham Forest fans were given the Spion End of the ground which held 21,000 while Liverpool had the Leppings Lane End, which held only 14,600 – an odd decision considering the relative size of each club’s support.

Amidst the heavy expectations of a thrilling match of football, a disaster was just waiting to happen on that fateful day. A previous crush had occurred in the same stand during the 1981 semi-final between Tottenham and Wolverhampton Wanderers, causing a total of 38 injuries. When disaster struck for the second time in the 1989 semi-final, 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives.

Remembering the 96 fans who lost their lives

The inquiry report named the cause as failure of police control but that, today is not important. What’s important is, that of the tens of thousands of Liverpool fans gathered at Hillsborough on the 15th of April 1989, and 96 never made it back home. The tragedy has affected those involved in unspeakable measure and continues to do so even today.

Actor Scot Williams interviewed a gentleman who hadn’t walked since that fateful day, he unearthed a shocking tale of tragedy and guilt. He was completely able bodied and had full use of his legs, but on that particular day, he said ,that he had stood on children’s heads and so now flatly refused to ever stand upon his own two feet again. That was the kind of guilt it left people with.

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, a loyal Red, lost his cousin in the tragedy. Jon-Paul, at age 10 was one of the youngest victims of the tragedy. In the loss of his cousin, Gerrard has found the motivation to play his heart out every time he goes on to pitch wearing the Red jersey. Every single time he remembers his best friend- his brother.

Some of the victims today would have been doctors, lawyers and perhaps even footballers. Young children of tender ages lost their precious lives. Mothers lost their sons. Fathers lost the joy of watching their kids succeed in life.

As they say, tragedy of great proportions always brings out the best amongst human beings. In the sorrow of the lost lives, there was a tremendous show of solidarity too. Not only amongst LFC fans but even from arch rivals Everton as well. The unity of the Liverpudlians was perhaps best symbolized by a mile long chain of Everton and Liverpool scarves which connected Anfield with Goodison Park, an initiative thought up by two local taxi drivers Tommy Atkinson and Jimmy Plunkett. The sense of brotherhood felt in the city was overwhelming. For once, the people kept aside their rivalries and helped each other . They did not think of themselves as supporters of clubs but as the citizens of a city that was united in grief. The Liverpool faithful still remember this and the city unites every year to pay their respects to those who lost their lives.

Funerals and memorials were organised with Kenny Dalglish and his players always among those attending. Kenny Dalglish had effectively become the leader of a city in mourning. He was always there to support anybody who needed it. His heart broke for the parents of Liverpool who would now have to bury their lads. At the scene 22 years ago, he too was in a state of panic until he saw his boy Paul walk up towards him.

Dalglish cited health reasons for leaving Liverpool in 1991 but it was an open secret that the events that day and in the months that followed had got the better of him. It was not the same determined striker that left Liverpool, but a broken man who was torn by the tragedy he had witnessed.

The opportunists still made a buck printing lies in the papers though, disrespecting the dead and clouding the people’s vision, making money by accusing fans of vile acts. But these people will forever be looked down upon.

For many, it still remains the day panic, fear and angst took a new meaning. The day football died. But for others it is the day that, against odds, a city was united and the words, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” took a whole new meaning. In memory of the 96 lives lost.