I'll start by saying I'm a match-going Manchester United fan (since 1974) so I understand that some of you won't want to read on any further. Like Gooner Stu, I have joined the forum so I can make a comment so please forgive the intrusion.
I won't pretend to like your club. I grew up in Southport and was surrounded by LFC fans during the halcyon days of Hansen, Lawrenson, Clemence, Souness, Dalglish et al and it wasn't pleasant watching you win everything every year. However, I have an affinity with the city of Liverpool, having lived there for a number of years (I was living in Huyton in 1989) and it also happens to be where I met my wife. Many of her family couldn't believe she was marrying a Manc and some of them wouldn't even come to the wedding. C'est la Vie...
I want to say how relieved I am to see the truth finally come out. Unlike many of my fellow United fans, I had few doubts as to where the blame lay. A home and away fan myself, I know the level of treatment fans often receive from officialdom and therefore, my first thoughts were always that you'd been blamed for something you didn't do. My wife worked with a victim of the Hillsborough Disaster and like me, has never been able to understand how anyone could take pleasure in the misery of others.
I was at Anfield in 1993 which happened to be the first game after the last of the '96', Tony Bland, had finally (following the agreed withdrawal of medical assistance) succumbed to his injuries after years in a coma. I was aware there would be a minute’s silence and dreaded the reaction of the United fans in the stadium that day. When the whistle was blown to mark the start of the silence, I was relieved that United appeared to be observing it with class and dignity... That is until after about 30 seconds, one mindless idiot amongst the United faithful shouted something like, ‘C’mon United’ at the top of his voice. My heart sunk as did those of many of the fans around me when we all exchanged glances which basically said, ‘there’s always one...’. Unfortunately, your fans reacted (understandably) with great offence and the minute ‘silence’ degenerated into a farce with both sets of fans trading insults. All decent United fans were disgusted at that moment and I know that the perpetrator was lambasted by those standing nearest to him. Of course, all of the United end then erupted with the chant ‘Where’s your famous Munich song’ (to my eternal shame, I sung it too) which in hindsight, was nothing less than a thinly veiled Hillsborough chant.
I attended the Wigan game at Old Trafford on Sunday and was disgusted when within 5 minutes of the game kicking off, 30 or 40 idiots in my end started chanting ‘always the victim, never your fault’ and ‘Murderers’. Later in the game and on at least 3 or 4 subsequent occasions, the chants started again but this time with many more participants (clearly audible on MOTD that night). I was unable to contain my contempt for these people and turned to a good and likeminded friend of mine with whom I attend the game and said, ‘What is it with these f***ing dick-heads?’ I was overheard by one of the people who had chanted and followed a heated exchange which could easily have got out of hand. I then completely lost interest (trust me, I'm no fighter) and left the game early and gained no satisfaction out of the result. To be honest, I was devastated because at this point in time, I’m losing affinity with many of my fellow supporters. I know they don’t represent me, but they do represent Manchester United and they disgrace the club every time they indulge their neanderthal behaviour. I have written to the club to complain – I suspect however, that nothing will be done to address it, irrespective of the fact that Fergie also wants it to stop.
I did apply for a ticket to the game at Anfield this Sunday and was really disappointed to miss out in the ballot. Now however, I am relieved because I just know that the good name of Manchester United will be tarnished again by a minority of brainless thugs who will take great pleasure in chanting about Hillsborough – It will happen, trust me. I want to say to any LFC fan who will be justifiably offended when this occurs, that not all United fans feel this way. There is a mutual hatred between LFC and United fans and that’s fine, but any decent human being can’t fail to be moved and relieved by the vindication of the 96 this week. Most of us can’t stand your club but that’s where the line is drawn. I hope that the decent United fans that attend the game next week, will do all they can to ensure that any chanting of this nature is curtailed. They owe it to the club, the Hillsborough families and in fact to decent people everywhere.
Many apologies have been received by the fans of LFC this week. I want to add mine in advance of the game on Sunday in anticipation of the mindless few, doing all they can to inflict more hurt on all those affected over the last 23 years.
May the 96 finally rest in peace and may the families get the justice they deserve.
