Reading of the conduct of the police in that article, the South-Yorkshire Constabulary sound like a kind of RUC lite.
You're right, football grounds were very different then. The change for the better took place soon after Hillsborough. It's shocking to see the young age of those that died. I hope today's events bring some solace to the families.
A tragic shame it took so long for the truth to come out. People lied. Me thinks that this apology will not be enough. There may be a witch hunt yet for those involved.
Altering witness statements goes a little beyond simple negligence. It's a criminal offence and needs dealing with even all these years later.
Ive not doubt all those that did it are now retired and so nothing at all will be done. Theres zero chance they will be done. They can kill innocent people and be found not guilty.
There are so many factors involved but I don't think you can blame plod for decisions on the day. Where they have failed is covering up and failing to accept responsibility. You need to understand the context of huge hooligan problem resulting in fences penning people in. Do we blame the hooligans that led to the fences? It's easy with hindsight to say we would have just opened the gates. What if it had been a mob and they were allowed onto the pitch attacking players and opposition fans alike. Without facing it personally I won't even attempt to understand what difficult decisions had to be made. Had we had fences at Loftus road who's to say we couldn't have seen a tragedy too against West Ham? I was there for that one as a youngster and the police were spot on in difficult circs. We can't tarnish all for the failings of a few. For those that didn't experience our overcrowding video link below (I think!) http://www.not606.com/media.php?do=details&mid=171
Willy, sorry you got it right. The report didn't find any evidence of any Government conspiricy to cover up the police incompetence. I will add though even though they didn't find any evidence of a cover up, it doesn't mean there wasn't one.
Agree totally with this. It was a tragedy waiting to happen and ALL of us need to take some responsibility. Just watched that video and I remember the crushing in the paddock that day. How the f*** did we fit that many in there in those days ?? Madness !!
You only have to remember what it was like with 35,000 in Loftus Road in 74 to have your blood run cold...
Very true, apart from the obvious cases like De Menezes and the guy they killed that sparked the riots dozens upon dozens have died in custody. Police and thieves indeed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQriZQbTcjk
Loftus Road never felt scary back in the early seventies but the Old Den frightened the life out of me.
It never felt scary because we were used to it, but looking back I can remember being lifted off my feet and swept forward quite a few times, you just treated it as part of the experience but with hindsight...
Very true, remember being totally crushed against a barrier on the loft when falco scored a last minute winner against spuds. It was taken as fun at the time but as you say hindsight....
It's one of those events that you remember where you were at the time. I was at Loftus Road, we were playing Middlesbrough, and it ended 0-0. I really hope that the families of the 96 can can finally find some peace and those responsible face justice
Even in the 80s I remember some scary moments, when we beat Palace 1-0 in the FA Cup and a load of police horses charging across the plastic pitch, there was real pandemonium for while. The police really didn't give a toss about safety and that attitude led to Hillsborough...
A tragic tale of death and deception. I watched the events unfold on TV that day and it still brings a tear to my eyes. Anyone who had access to a television could have told you that the fans were not to blame. The police ****ed up big time and when the **** hit the fan, they tried to cover it up by adding lie upon lie. This had an affect on 1000's of lives, not just the 96 who were directly involved. The tragedy is further compounded by the fact that no one has faced criminal charges over the initial event and more so, the subsequent cover up (which for me was worse than the poor policing on the day). I really hope someone is brought to justicve over this and soon. As for that piece of **** paper 'The Sun', I have just looked on their website and they seem to be saying 'We only reported what we were led to believe'. Not ****ing good enough! There should be an apology on the front page of the website and of tomorrows edition. That oily turd Kelvin McKenzie should remove himself from the face of the earth after making a public apology. Really sad day today.
I'm sorry you've had bad experiences personally - that would cloud anyone's opinion. But you are still wrong.
