Justice For The 96

Today marks the 26th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, where 96 football fans lost their lives at an FA Cup Semi Final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Sheffield. It's something that continues to resonate with all football fans. That a group of fans of any team could go to a football match and not come back is something that's very difficult to come to terms with. It also provides a reminder of a time in the not too distant past, where supporters of a sport that I and many others love were branded as hooligans and criminals.

 It is my hope that the findings of the new inquest into the tragedy (currently ongoing and set to resume in Warrington next week) provide some closure for the families involved. Not only have they suffered the loss of their loved ones but also years of obfuscation on the part of the authorities to erroneously place the blame on the Liverpool supporters.

The Guardian has reported today on news concerning another great stadia related disaster, the fire at Bradford City's Valley Parade ground in 19 where 56 fans were killed. A new book by Martin Fletcher (who lost his brother, father, uncle and grandfather) in the fire, notes the fact that there had been eight previous fires at premises owned by then Bradford chairman Stafford Heginbotham. Fletcher asks: “Could any man really be as unlucky as Heginbotham had been?”. It's a question that demands an answer. For Bradford and Liverpool fans, I hope the truth will out.

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