I don't know how old you were but there were monumental cock ups on a grand scale that contributed to the whole thing. People who have only gone to football matches since after 1992 (when stadiums changed due to Taylor Rpt) will not understand how different grounds were both inside, and just as much, on the outside also.
Police opened a gate when the shouldnt have. There should have been more organisation outside. An accident in the Penines contributed to people arriving late. Terrible stadium design - the same thing almost happened at the same end in the 1981 semi final Spurs v Wolves. People were not directed left or right after the gate was opened - that s criminal. The standing area was supposed to hold 2000 max and had been recommended to be reduced to 1600. There were 3000 in there at 3pm. Why was the overcrowding not recognised when both outside pans were not even one third full? See for yourself on the pictures - its clear. The Police box was right above one of the empty pens in the corner, why did they not see? PC Duckenfield was told of some over-crowding but did nothing. He froze and took no decision. Why was only 1 ambulance allowed onto the pitch when a whole line waited outside the stadium? The poor sods in that pen could do nothing as nobody helped them. The police completely failed on that day.
I could go on and on and on. A small part might have been down to Liverpool fans, BUT, this was such a minor part in the overall outcome and is recognised so in the Taylor report.
Please do not have a go at Liverpool and their fans about this disaster (and I am nothing to do with them by the way). It was a terrible disaster and I remember it clearly as a kid.
When u read about some of the stuff what happened, and I wouldn't want to even start explaining exactly what on this messageboard - but go read 'The Day of the Hillsborough Disaster' by Liverpool University Press and I assure you that you will not get through that book without shedding more than a few tears.
Posted By: Wayne Biggins, Apr 14, 22:50:17
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