Good morning, all. We Saints fans will have spent a disturbed night no doubt. Up and down the country thoughts will have been on Cup Finals, relegation and promotion and for us the thought that we might yet end up having to go through the play off lottery is looming large. I hope we'll also spare a thought this morning for the date. The events of April 15 1989 changed the way we watch football. Anyone who went to matches in the 60's and beyond was shocked but not surprised by the events that unfolded that day. As one of the characters in the brilliant Jimmy McGovern play says "People don't die going to football matches". But they did, in mind-numbing numbers. And they did because we were herded and penned and treated like scum. So, this morning, I am determined not to worry unduly about the Saints fate this season. It won't change my life if we are disappointed. The lives of 96 families were changed forever by Hillsborough. I'm off for an early morning stroll to Anfield to pay my respects. I hope that I'll be taking the thoughts of thousands of fellow fans with me.
My wifes father passed away last week he was a lifelong Pompey fan and never quite got to see his final derby game he was a gentle man who loved all sport and i had the upmost respect for him and we as a family will miss him dearly he even forgave his daughter for marrying a saint and bearing two saint crazy sons.He was 92 when he passed on and in his late 80s when walking his Jack Russel Bill he found 90 quid in cash on the ground he handed it in at the local police station,now he did not survive on a much money and a lesser man would have stuck it in his pocket and we were thrilled for him when after a period when the money could have been claimed and was'nt a policeman delivered it to his door .He still was worried for the poor person who lost it 'who might have needed it' to use his words. Sorry for rambling but it is true we love footy but this week the Reading defeat though painfull is put into perspective by the loss of a loved and valued member of our family after all another game comes along to repair the damage quickly.So thoughts to all families involved in that horrific event at Hillsbro i can vividly remember with disbelief what happened that day.I must mention that where our Dad was concerned he was keen that we would adopt his dog Bill should he not come out of hospital against all our better sense we decided to keep him as we knew it would make Dad happy and he is now a valued member of our houshold and i get more exercise but i am finding it hard to get him used to his new name of Sharpy.
Nice moving yarn about your father in law chaplow, sounds like a top man even if he did support the blue end of the M27 - these things do put perspective on supporting your footbal team for certain. I can remember the horror of listening to the events at Hillsborough in 1989 on the radio. I much prefer standing at footbal matches but not in the crushed manner of the pre Hillsborough days. Even on the relatively small terracing at The Dell it used to be quite claustrophobic at times and i wouldnt have liked to have taken my kids to games like that. It still makes me shudder to think of what some of those poor sods went through that day in 1989 - kids and all. The remaining days of this season are nothing compared to that.
Also to add, Lets remember those who sailed out of southampton, to never return again. forgot all about the titanic, just seen a bit on the box.
15th April Loss of lives from the Titanic Loss of lives at Hillsborough My son's birthday. He knows about the other events and it always makes his birthday poignant as we think how lucky we are to have him and how unfortunate those other people were.
