Hopefully the cynicals and doubters will sit up and listen.
heath63
------------- New Year: Hesketh Bank
Feb/March: Red Squirrel
March: lakes
June: Morecambe
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Being life long Sheffield Wednesday fans we know the ground inside out.
The lower Leppings terrace was all standing and split into 3 pens,to get into the centre pen you have to go down a fairly long dark tunnel,this is where the problem was..
The centre pen was already packed yet the police were still herding fans into the tunnel and towards the centre pen,fans in the tunnel were getting crushed and were pushing forward into the packed pen where fans were now getting crushed against barriers,what they should have done is blocked the entrance to the tunnel off and directed fans to the outer two pens where there was plenty of room.
A lot of fans did arrive at the turnstiles late but this happens at any football match,the bottom line imo is the police got it wrong and in doing so 96 fans died.
JFT96
Phil.
------------- Sue & Phil
--------------------- I Love My AeroBed
I have just noticed this thread and thought I'd give it to you from the horses mouth.
I was 21 at the time and was quite used to watching Liverpool home and away. At 14:15 my brother (23) and I entered via the Leppings Lane turnstiles. As soon as you entered the ground there was only one obvious sign telling you where to go. This was a "standing" sign which pointed to the tunnel. We went down the tunnel and stood in one of the pens behind the goals. After a few minutes we thought it was odd that the two middle pens were extremely busy but the outer pens weren't. Crowds continued to come in and at about 14:25 we had a good look around and decided to try and get to the other pens on the sides.
We went back down the tunnel and looked back at the stands. It was at this point we realised that there were smaller and faded "standing" signs pointing to the sides so we went to one of them and eventually stood at the corner flag but quite high up on the lower level of this area. This view was directly opposite the Police Control Room.
It was obvious to us for the next 30 mins or so that something was really strange about the way the crowd were being directed. The rest is history and for thoise who dont know, a lot of the dead died in the tunnel.
My point is this. I was a 21 year old with experience of football crowds and I had the same view as David Duckenfield and his highly paid match commanders. If I saw what was going on why didn't they. Ultimately, if the crush outside was too much then all they had to do was block off the tunnel and direct people to the sides. A major break down in communication and nothing short of a man incompetent at his job.
There were drunken fans there, but nothing that hasnt been seen at every match. The Police are there to control those situations and they didnt do it on that day. Duckenfield had no experience of policing football matches.
As for the cover up , I'm just so glad that it has now been revealed. For years we as a city have been shouting about this for 23 years and it is great credit to the families that justice has started to be done. For me , it will be complete when the perpetrators of the cover up are prosecuted although I wont hold my breath.
On a more "optimistic" note, as a result of Hillsborough, as a result of Bradford, as a result of other sporting disasters ground stewards are now better trained than ever before (even to the extent that the unknowing joe-public will often question their instructions and action when they are being taken for the public's safety). I work as a steward and have dealt with fights, drunken behaviour, a fire, crowd congestion and a potential pitch invasion. On "the front line" you have to rely on your training, your colleagues and information from your superiors. I fully understand the actions and reactions of the grass-roots copper at Hillsborough AT THAT TIME. They were acting on orders and information supplied to them for a specific set of circumstances.
Where the questions need to be firmly asked is further up the chain;-
1. Why did the FA allow the game at Hillsborough?
2. Why did the new man in charge not use the existing match day plan?
3. Why was the order given to open THAT gate without first ensuring personnel could guide the fans to the end pens?
4. and most importantly of all Who ordered/organised the cover up?
From a lifelong Man Utd supporter I am so pleased for The 96 that the truth has come out. I am so pleased for the families that they have been vindicated in their pursuit of the truth. I am also so pleased that the support and "one-ness" shown to Liverpool at the time of Hillsborough by true football supporters still exists to this day. Supporters of many many clubs around the UK and indeed the world are now much safer due to their loss. Once justice is final served I would like for this to be one of their lasting legacies.
------------- It'll work out in the end!!!!
I didn't do it !! Nobody saw me do it !! You can't prove anything !!
You are 100% correct MikeJ , Thankfully there has been positive changes with the outcome of Hillsborough. We do know that it wasn't the grass roots police, they were limited to the orders given on that day.
We know that their debriefing was wholly inadequate, as they mainly told that they will be dealing with crowd disorder and pitch invasions, rather than crowd safety.
Many of the police statements were doctored, altered because of their scathing attack and critism of their senior police in charge on that fateful day.
They are the very questions, I would like to know the answers too.Those very Senior Police and football officials need to answer, and the coroners desicion stating the cut off time at 3.15pm, seems that they have colluded with the police, to prevent awkward questions being asked.
We now kinow, that the problems were bering unfolded far, far before kick off time were the bottle kneck at lepping lane. Lateness of fans would not make any difference whatsoever, thats one of the reasons why lateness had been stated.
Thankfully it was the stoic of the families asking awkward questions and the tenasity(sp) . That the truth has finally comeout.
heath63
------------- New Year: Hesketh Bank
Feb/March: Red Squirrel
March: lakes
June: Morecambe
Aug: Lake District(not camping camping)
October: Red Squirrel
I taught the families of several of the victims. Stuff like that seriously messes with peoples emotions and lives.
Even if people are brought to book for lying, there is no redress for the years of damage done to families and individuals.
Those involved, broke the law, perverting the course of justice, tampering with evidence, statemenst, which are criminal offences. Therefore should be prosecuted. Technically the judge is saying. One rule for the police, one rule for others.
To put faith back in the justice system, they need to go to trial.
heath63
------------- New Year: Hesketh Bank
Feb/March: Red Squirrel
March: lakes
June: Morecambe
Aug: Lake District(not camping camping)
October: Red Squirrel
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Hillsborough a policing disgrace
, Thankfully there has been positive changes with the outcome of Hillsborough. We do know that it wasn't the grass roots police, they were limited to the orders given on that day. 
