Sunday, April 17, 2011

Hillsborough memorial 2011 - Remembering British football's greatest tragedy

Emdad Rahman: 22 years to the day, I joined a packed Kop on the afternoon of Friday 15th April to pay my respects to the Hillsborough dead.

"Two decades have passed and it doesn't become easier," the voice to my right muttered.
In fact it's become worse. The pain and resentment bought on by 22 years of malicious lies and the suppression of justice is powerful and overwhelming.

Walton MP Steve Rotheram's brilliant and emotional speech was quite simply an education:
"My role may have altered over the last two years but I am as determined as ever to correct cranks, weirdos or ill-informed politicians who make crass statements about the events of 1989.
"To those that perpetuate the myth that it was the fault of Liverpool fans, I point them to the conclusions of Lord Justice Taylor's report.

"To those that attack Liverpool supporters, I will never tire of reminding them that the fans were the real heroes in 1989, not the villains.

"And to those that try to use our communal outpouring of grief in tragedy as a stick to beat our city, I point to the unshakeable bond that binds us - whether Red or Blue. We are Scousers all."

Rotheram then announced a surprise.

"One person who has been there from the very beginning, and is now back at the club as manager, is Kenny.
"Kenny and Marina were pivotal at the very beginning - the amount of funerals they went to and, if you remember, the toll it took on them as a couple.

"When I was speaking to some of the family members, they were saying it might be nice for Kenny to get some recognition for what he's done.

"One of the ways I can help that as a politician is by putting a motion down in the House of Commons asking for the Queen to confer a knighthood on Kenny Dalglish."

(Cue - "Clap... Dalglish!")

On the subject of a Knighthood, Dalglish told LFCTV: "But it is flattering. I just come to work and do the best I can. If someone wants to do that it's out of my control. It is very flattering but I don't think I'll get carried away with it."

Phil Hammond was welcomed back as only a long, lost and memorable friend is welcomed back.
Jimmy (Cracker) McGovern conveyed a short and powerful straight from the heart speech: "For 22 years you have battled. The lies, the longest inquest in British legal history, ending in a farce, judge nitpicking in judicial reviews, Lord Justice Smith arriving on Merseyside with his mind already made up, the magnificent private prosecution just failing.

"For 22 years you have watched judges putting the niceties of law above justice itself, and still you have battled on.

"A wonderful demonstration of enduring love."

The Kop erupted: "Justice for the 96..."

Stevie Gerrard on crutches sat in the Paddock, head bowed as the names of the dead were called out.
Ditching the written script, Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group was visibly upset by recent news. "Standing at football must never return," she said.

Aspinall specially thanked Rafael Benitez. The camera panned to the former Reds boss who overcome with visible emotion, welled up and succumbed to an unstoppable torrent of tears. It was one of the most moving moments of the afternoon.

Benitez stood up with a two handed salute. Acknowledging their own, the Kop roared into frenzied action, twice lifting the Anfield roof off for Rafa.

With a broad smile I spied a member of the Love & Gospel Choir take a cheeky mobile snap of the packed to the rafters Kop she was singing too. The young lady instantly reminded me of myself and my constant on the go photography. I chuckled as the young Madam was instantly reprimmanded by a senior colleague. Be gentle please Ms Senior singer, it was a huge occasion and who could begrudge or blame her for taking a snapshot of such a memory.

"Scousers arent ones who forget," I was told by Liverpool fan Vicky Castle. "They thought we'd give up and lie down. Even after we are long gone the children will continue the struggle for justice."

On the youth front, Dalglish pulled a stroke with the inclusion of the Academy - young lads who weren't even born when the disaster at Hillsborough took place. It gave them a taste and feeling of the despair that casts a black shadow over the supreme history of the club they represent.

Vicky Castle was spot on. On a sun packed school holiday afternoon the Kop was awash, with huge swathes of smiling children accompanied by their parents, relatives and friends. Their behaviour was a total credit, it was immaculate, with maturity that often overshadowed the adults.

It is precisely the reason why "Justice for the 96" is an emblem, remaining a powerful force for positive change, whilst becoming a blueprint prototype for future victims and campaigns against injustice.

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