The Church of Anfield

I wasn’t at Hillsborough in 1989.  I was an 11 year old at the time, although that’s not the reason why I wasn’t there.  In fact, to be completely honest, I’m not too sure why I wasn’t at Hillsborough that day.

My professional career in supporting the reds began in 1983, aged 5, in a European Cup game at Anfield.  I remember going to the FA Cup Semi Final at White Hart Lane in 1986 and being overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the travelling kop. A season ticket duly fell my way with my Dad in 1987/88 to watch one of the greatest reds title-winning sides of all time, and increasingly my Dad took me along to away games in what looks now like pretty archaic stadiums – caged in like Lions in a zoo.

West Brom away I remember in particular.  As a young lad it’s only natural to get close to the front to try and get as good a view as possible when surrounded by grown men twice your height.  I remember my Dad telling me to not get too close to the big metal fences as they were electrified.  To this day I’m not sure whether that was actually true or not, it may well have been, but the fact I so readily accepted it only goes to remind us how football fans were treated in those days.

So, for whatever reason, the FA Cup Semi Final in 1989 is a game that I never made it to, but if I had I know where I would have tried to get a place to stand – the same place all the rest of the young boys, girls and teenagers would have stood.  And by default, my Dad would have had to have come there with me.

In my absence from the game my FA Cup Semi Final day began with a quick game of footie on the park, firing home 5 or so goals past the hapless Nottingham Forest keeper, played by my mate, with me in the starring role of Kenny Dalglish.  By kick off I was listening to the local Liverpool radio station to what changed from a football match to tragedy.

I went to yesterday’s service at Anfield to remind those in the media, those in Government and above all not only the families and friends of those killed – but also the survivors of that day who must be continuing to live an enduring nightmare about what they saw – that I haven’t forgotten, and that my thoughts were with those people.

There are a whole set of complex circumstances surrounding the Hillsborough families, exacerbated by 20 years of passing, and I am sure we can sympathise with every single viewpoint.

Some families never got involved with the various support groups – understandably the shock and hurt was so much that they probably would never want to hear the word football again.  Others may have thrown themselves in to the fight for justice, with the anger of their loss at the forefront of their mind.  For others, the lies publshed about that day from certain sections of the media have made people even more determined to hold those responsible accountable for their actions that day.

For some parents of those who died, losing loved ones at Hillsborough was not the end of their personal tragedies, nor was it for those who witnessed the scenes.  Marriages have broken up on top of their losses – others have seen their livelihood’s destroyed by depression from that day, and some have even taken their own lives.

I can understand all the different perspectives and how emotions can be different.  If I had lost a loved one at Hillsborough I honestly couldn’t say whether I would be at the front of the queue demanding justice, or whether I would never have watched Liverpool again.  The only way you will ever know is if it had happened to you.

But what I do know is that 20 years on, despite the frustrations at the legal system which have led to some disagreements amongst the families, some words echo in my head from yesterday. While Trevor Hicks spoke congratulating those involved one fan rose to his feet and shouted.

‘Still Together.’

Today, just like yesterday, we certainly are.

Before the 20th anniversary of Hillsborough at Anfield

More pictures from yesterday’s service

8 comments on
The Church of Anfield

  1. Sorry to hear bro you had a bad experience. You’ll always get the odd numpty in all walks of life. I’m originally from Sheffield and have been supporting and watching the Reds since ’86. In fact I am probably one of the first “asians” to go to Anfield. I’ve always found Scousers the most friendly and welcomming of people. Obviously not being a Scouser I am aware there are people that still see OOT differently.

    Anyway we are all Reds

    YNWA ’96 JTF 96

  2. Thank you for your kind comments. The world has a lot of good people…and good will always prevail over evil. I will alwaylove Liverpool and the true fans.

  3. Im too young to remember the disaster because it was 7 months before i was born but even so, i know about it and watched the entire service.
    I’m also sorry to Waheed, you’ll always get people like that anywhere, i dont actually live in Liverpool but i know it is a great city with the greatest team in the world.
    Great service though and well worthy of the cause.
    I do hope though that Charles Itanje wasnt laughing at the actual service because thats unthinkable. If he was though he should be sacked by Liverpool instantly because that is unacceptable, apparently he is leaving in the summer though.
    Special condolences to Gerrard and his family aswell because his cousin was one of the 96.

  4. Waheed i’m so sorry about the treatment you & your family received from that 1 person – please don’t let him tarnish your memory of the city of Liverpool. Thanks for making the journey to ‘Honour the 96’

  5. very sad to hear of your reception the people you met have no place in football or indeed the community, your support in attending the memorial was fantastic,i myself thru work could not attend but i listened on the radio right through the day.im a survivor for which im eternally grateful although at times i feel guilty but we must remember we owe our very being to the fight for justice not only to the families but also the many who came home traumatised and whos lives were never the same again we have a saying its keep the faith not religious but the faith that one day the truth will be outed thanks for turning up and rember K T F

  6. I went there yesterday, and was sad to find that I was one of a small number of asian people there. I also took my wife and 3 children, and was vey upset on arrival at Liverpool that a man at a bus stop shouted out ‘You should be grateful we let you into the city’ and ‘You’re not worthy of flying the flag’ (we had Liverpool scarves and a flag hanging out the window). Sad, but we continued into Anfield. A couple of people told us of their appreciation of our attendance there, as we had come from the Midlands. It was very emotional, and I cried when the balloons were released to the sound of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’

  7. I watched the whole proceeding on Sky(i am a Liverpool supporter in South Africa)and was totally amazed by the sheer commitment of the Liverpool fans.You guys are a credit to football and well done for making such a dynamic stand for justice to the 96 who lost their lives..I vividly recall watching the Hillsborough tragedy unfold on tv in 1989……
    To all the families and Liverpool supporters,i send you well wishes and lots of love from Durban,South Africa. You will always be in our hearts.
    You’ll never walk alone.

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