Through the Wind and the Rain Fanzine Archives

The clipping from the Echo printed below (not reproduced) is more than just a football club acting in a cold manner. It's OUR club, Liverpool FC whose fans were the victims of Hillsborough. Immediately after the disaster, the talk was of clubs taking far more notice of what the supporters wanted, and yet the club directly involved can't even be bothered. In the summer, the Anny Road fans were informed by letter that they had been moved to another part of the ground; no discussion, no maybes, you're going and that is that. Turning up for the Villa game at their normal time, the disabled fans, used to parking in the same place for years, were told, on the day of the game, that they could not park there anymore. In 1992, unless pressure is brought to bear by Liverpudlians, the most famous part of the club, the Kop, will be full of seats, with the soaring price rises that will bring. What is the club response each time? After Hillsborough, safety is paramount. This phrase is now chanted like a mantra if the club want its' way. Especially, it seems, if it goes against the wishes of the fans. It didn't seem to occur to the club that the disabled might have like a warning in advance, as to their intentions.

Similarly the Anfield Road season ticket holder, if they'd been told in May of the club's plans could have made arrangements to be seated next to their friends. Of course safety IS paramount; if Liverpool have been advised by the police and/or the council to fulfil certain obligations, then they are to be applauded for acting so quickly. However this does not give them the right to act first and apologise afterwards. Mid you, giving fans advance warning also give them a slight change of fighting such changes, maybe that's why LFC act the way they do. Or am I just cynical?