The OFFICIAL Liverpool Supporters thread

[Norf Tyrone]

Of course, but the Sun article at the time, titled "The Truth" also alleged that drunk fans without tickets caused the crush by trying to force their way into the stand past the cops.

I don;t want to barge in on a very emotive issue, but was this not the case? I was speaking to someone at the game a few years back and they said the crush outside from ticketless fans was severe, that they HAD to open the gate outside. Not too sure if he said they were drunk or not.

[GalwayBayBoy]

Of course, but the Sun article at the time, titled "The Truth" also alleged that drunk fans without tickets caused the crush by trying to force their way into the stand past the cops.

I don;t want to barge in on a very emotive issue, but was this not the case? I was speaking to someone at the game a few years back and they said the crush outside from ticketless fans was severe, that they HAD to open the gate outside. Not too sure if he said they were drunk or not.

There was a hold range of problems that led to the tragedy. Firstly Liverpool fans were given the smaller Leppings Lane end of the ground even though they had a much bigger support than Notts Forest. Many Liverpool fans arrived late due to traffic problems and poor directions leading to the stadium. The gates were opened and the fans were coralled by the police into two small central pens while there was plenty of space in the pens to either side of them.  Fans entering at the rear had no idea that fans at the very front were being crushed up against the wire fence. Police thought for a while that it was a pitch invasion and tried to keep the fans inside the wire fence rather than trying to help them out. The fans were no more drunk than any set of fans arriving at any stadium for a match.

[laoislad]

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What ever happened these people lost there lives and thats the important thing to remember
If only one had died it would have been one too many

[Carmen Stateside]

Spot on Laoislad!!!

[Sausalito Bay]

I don;t want to barge in on a very emotive issue, but was this not the case? I was speaking to someone at the game a few years back and they said the crush outside from ticketless fans was severe, that they HAD to open the gate outside. Not too sure if he said they were drunk or not.

Unfortunately many people are still of that opinion, ignoring the fact that the Taylor report places the blame squarely on the shoulders of the police and others in charge of managing supporters that day.

To try and briefly highlight a few of the facts of the day;

There were approx 24,500 Liverpool fans with tickets that day, and due to the peculiar segregation requirements of an FA Cup semi final (ground split approx 50:50), there were 23 turnstiles available for those fans, which could have been managable if it were not for the fact that most of the coaches were held up by police searches and road works, meaning a large number arrived at the same time.

When these fans made their way to the stadium they joined other queuing fans who were being further delayed by police searches at the stadium gates. There were only 3 gates, leading to 10 turnstiles for the 10,000 fans going to the Leppings Lane terracing, with the police carrying out searches at these gates. With the supporters seated in the West Stand also using these gates, an inevitable bottleneck was created, exascurbated by the stream of fans arriving off delayed coaches.

As you can imagine in such a scenario, a sense of panic spread amongst the crowd, which surely wasn't helped by the fact that kick off was fast approaching. At this point a police officer who saw what was happening requested that the kick off be delayed to ease the panic and allow fans to get in safely. This request was denied. A request was then made for an exit gate to be opened to ease the congestion, this was also denied.

With the build up of fans joining those already queuing in a narrow entry, the natural momentum of the fans created a crush at the turnstiles. Officers again asked for a gate to be opened, and after hesitation it was eventually agreed.

The terracing was split into pens, and the entrance tunnel to the two central pens, 3 & 4, was directly opposite the gate that had been opened. Normally when these pens are filled, police close the tunnel and direct fans to the pens on either side.

There were no police to stop fans going down that central tunnel that day, so when the gate was opened, hundreds of fans were forced down that tunnel into already full pens.

If you ever see aerial photos of the Leppings Lane that day, you can't help but notice the empty spaces at each side of the terracing.

When the first people started to spill onto the track, dog handlers were called in to keep them behind the fences.


Of course some fans were drinking that day, just as some fans drink at every match, but for people to still trot out the excuse that drunken fans stampeded into the stadium is a disgrace given the volume of evidence, eyewitness accounts and a Lord Chief Justice's report that are all readily available for anyone who wants to know the truth.


If you want to educate yourself, spend 10 minute here www.contrast.org/hillsborough

[two man tackle]

watched pool and arsenal on sat thought the "protest" was interesting but can somebody fill me in what this mckenzie fella is supposed to have done wrong? is he to be villified for just doing his editorial job? typical liverpool fan attitude, blame somebody else.

[J70]

watched pool and arsenal on sat thought the "protest" was interesting but can somebody fill me in what this mckenzie fella is supposed to have done wrong? is he to be villified for just doing his editorial job? typical liverpool fan attitude, blame somebody else.

Maybe you should read up on it (try the previous posts in this thread for a start) a bit before coming out with your idiotic "typical Liverpool fan" shite.

[laoislad]

Don't mind him or rise to him J70 he has 14 posts and nearly every one has been trying to cause a row

[laoislad]

Wonder will Dudek keep his place tonight lads?
Surely God will get a run out?

[J70]

Wonder will Dudek keep his place tonight lads?
Surely God will get a run out?

Apparently Dudek was promised a start in all domestic cup games, so I would assume he will.

Fowler should get a start too, although Benitez sounded like he was leaning towards full strength after Saturday's debacle.

I'd imagine Arsenal will rest quite a few players though.

[laoislad]

Dudek,Peltier,Paletta,Hyypia,Warnok,Gonzalez,Gerrard,Guthrie,Aurelio,Fowler,Bellamy
Tonights team v Arsenal...Not that strong is it?

[Gabriel_Hurl]

1-1 after 35 mins

suspected fractured tibia for gonzalez

[heganboy]

4-1 down not even half time...

[laoislad]

Half time Liverpool 1-4  Arsenal
What the f**k is going on?

[laoislad]

40/1 to win outright in 2nd half now   12/1 to qualify for next round
Remember Istanbul i always regret not putting money on them then gonna do it now 12/1 looks alright it's worth the tenner