Just a little reflective time-out before tomorrow... I've worked in Liverpool for the past few years so obviously surrounded by Liverpool supporters, along with the odd Everton fan or two. For the past couple of weeks all I've been going on about to them is "I'm going to Wembley", "FA Cup Semi-Final" blah blah. I'd never had any connection to this city at all until I got my job there and I don't think it ever quite dawned on me properly what the impact of Hillsborough has had there until this week. I've actually seen subtle sombre reactions from a few of my colleagues this week when I've been hyperactively banging on about our Semi-Final. So probably a bit insensitive of me to not realise their thoughts as I now know a few of them knew people from the Hillsborough tragedy. I've obviously not gone digging for further details but I do know some were directly involved. I hope the memory of the 96 is fully respected tomorrow. And to my Dad who will be watching from the sky. I know he would be in utter disbelief at seeing what Hull City have achieved this season, but he would absolutely love it..... When we were invading the pitch on May 4th last season I took a minute out to stop and say to him "Dad, did you EVER think you'd witness scenes like this?". His response was an almost hypnotised "NEVER, I can't quite believe it"....... Well, we've gone one step further now and unfortunately my Dad will not see his one last wish which was to visit Wembley, and even better to see City play in the Cup Final there (yep, we made a complete mess of getting Play-Off final tickets). So! I'm going there to support the team for both of us!! And to hopefully see us reach the final and realise my Dad's lifelong dream, (along with many other City supporters I'm sure). Let's do it for everyone involved! Come on City!! UTT!
Not so much the Hillsborough part of your post but we've all got people like your dad within our families who didn't see City in the top division nor playing at Wembley. My grandad passed away around 20 years ago and he got me going to City back in the late 70's. He always said he wouldn't see City play top division football in his lifetime - sadly he was right. I'd have loved to have had the chance to take him tomorrow.
I was looking forward to taking my dad with me tomorrow too, first and at 70 this year, probably the last time he'd get to see Wembley with us playing there. He took me to Boothferry as a baby, quite literally in fact as my mam used to help him on the turnstiles with me a few months old. Yesterday he rang me up and just said as much as he wants to, it'll be too much for him, the travelling, the standing around, the sitting in one place, and he just isn't up to it. So I'm now taking my missus with me, which on just about any level won't be the same. He's been working class his entire life, grafted hard, has very little to show for it but him and me mam are happy together, so I guess thats what is important. He said to me "why you don't you take your brother?". I had to say "Dad, I know he was born in York, but we lived on Anlaby Road and in Orchard Park, he's a Liverpool "fan". He'd probably be a twat and wear a liverpool top, and talk about the "tragedy of the 96", I would end up twatting him never mind anyone else." Dad laughed and said "at least one of you did me proud, now lets hope the bloody targers don't let us down!" I know the texts I send him, and the photos plus I'll ring him when we're driving home which will make him smile, and god willing we win and he'll get to see us play in a final even if its on TV but yeah, funny how occasions like this rouse some strange feelings and memories.
I can relate to a lot of that. My grandad used to run the carpark and me as a kid used to run around lining all the cars up. He used to sneak me into the old north stand about 10 past 3 when he had dropped the gate money off. That's when the Hull City bug bit me. Sadly, his eye sight went (cataracts) just before we moved to the Kc. The stubborn old bugger refused to have the operation and stopped going to see his beloved city. He past away a couple of years before we won the playoffs. I'll be raising a glass or 10 in his memory Sunday night
I lost my Grandad on the final day of the 2007/8 regular season - he knew we'd lost to Ipswich, and that we were in the play-offs - but passed away exactly 20 days before Wembley and the promotion. One of the things I got of his was a home made black and amber rosette which I have a picture of him wearing on his way to BP for the 1949 FA Cup game with Man Utd. I wore it at Wembley last time, and will be wearing it with pride again this time. I think we all have to appreciate what we are seeing on the pitch right now. So many loyal City fans never got to see this. I know so many of us have a story like these - but if we do, we need to remember that tomorrow, we are making a noise for them as well as ourselves. God help us if we do get to the final though - the "Abide with me" moment will be tough!
I still go with my dad, he's eighty now, the eyesight's very poor and he's shocking on his feet. Them steps on the way out when there's a tight crowd. People don't recognise they have a frail old man in front of them sometimes, it's not really their fault. Iv'e more than hinted he give it up now,but he's having none of it. He's been going for seventy odd years now,taking me for the last forty. Is he the type some of you like to refer to as a "flasker" ?
I have been listening to and reading the stories for the last week or so from the families of the 96. It never fails to make me tear up and think about how truly awful that day must have been. So hope everyone has a good day tomorrow and makes it back safe and sound. I will be thinking of the 96 and their families during the minutes silence.
From my perspective it's all a bit odd. My connection to the city of Hull is entirely through my Dad's side of the family and my support of the football team is purely down to my upbringing in the 1980s, (although I do still have extended family in Brough and Hedon). I've never lived in Hull, but I feel far more loyalty to to the city as a whole than the other cities I've lived in (Leeds and Manchester). Family connections run stronger than anything - my Dad was a City supporter since the 1950s and I know my Grandad (who passed away in 1979) was a keen supporter from as early as the 1920s/30s.
seems to have been silences around the grounds which was good to (not) hear instead of bloody applause, hope it's a proper silence tomorrow...
At our match against Man United on Boxing Day I was sat next to a bloke who must have been in his 80s, maybe even 90s. Really nice guy, obviously a bit frail but as keen a supporter as I've ever seen. When they equalised to make it 2-2 I remember my head and whole body sinking down in that 'Oh ****, Bollocks!' type thing we all must do. But he gave me a pat on the back and dragged me out of that moment's despair to get me back to cheering the team. Top Bloke! (Weird how I've just described drawing 2-2 with Man United as 'despair')
I often visit my dad's grave before home games and ask him to blow the ball off the line if need be to stop other team scoring or trip one of opposition players up. There's no diving at the KC from opposition played it's my dad legging them up He lived to see City in the premier league Remembered City. V Arsenal in the 1930 semi fina, l though didn't get to go. We really are lucky to see City in the premier league and at Wembley. Enjoy the day what ever the result because in the years ahead we can say WE WAS THERE.
I echo those sentiments entirely Didsbury. There will be generations of Tigers fans, such as your father and my grandfather, who will be looking down with pride on the Wembley pitch tomorrow. Many never got to see days like tomorrow or the big victories on our Premier League adventure. Let's enjoy it.
Did anyone else hear the shameful minutes silence on TalkShite? Think it was Adrian Durhams show in SunLan.. ****ing disgraceful.. people shouting about 30 seconds in. mind you they got a swift booing. If that would have happened at KC, stewards would be allover them, breaking their arms to eject them.
