34 Years – But the hurt continues!

Yesterday, Sat 8th Jun, We were invited to join a small gathering of football fans, who’ve all been through a unique, horrific and pain-staking journey. The event had to be carefully organised as there still remains emotions that can divide – but division was far from the plans of those taking part.

For the first time in 34 years an event/gathering was organised for football fans of both Nottingham Forest and Liverpool in Nottingham (There have been a couple in Liverpool), to share their experiences, their feelings, and their hurt from that fateful day in April 1989 that is remembered every time one word is mentioned – HILLSBOROUGH.

This article might touch someone, positively or negatively, but this story includes, the personal experiences of our own founder. 

Two years ago, an innocent twitter post sent by Diane, of the Hillsborough Survivors Supporters Aliiance (HSA), said “Thinking of all of you at Nottingham Forest too” sparked a complete change in how Hillsborough survivors were considered. Since that tweet, there has been a sponsored walk, where a couple of Forest fans got involved, an FA CUP match, where we were robbed an offside ;-), and also of course our promotion back to the Premiership, where we were unbeaten against Liverpool. The timing, when getting the Alliance moving was perfect, if a little unexpected.

The alliance was set up for Liverpool Football Club supporters, to gain support and counselling, for survivors, who continue to deal with the anguish and torment of that awful day. But now there is realisation that that was another group of supporters that had been forgotten as victims and survivors, but who saw things they should never experience. Forest fans have joined the Liverpool sessions previously, and some will say it’s too little too late, but from experience, it’s never too late!! Peter and Diane should be so proud of what they have achieved already, and here’s hoping for growth by sharing the pain.

As a Forest supporter, I was one of thousands who experienced the horrors of that day, indirectly, as I was just an observer, but it still haunts me to this day. Everyone in attendance that day suffered in some way, and for Liverpool fans the words can’t express how mums, dads, aunts, uncles, friends and more found that their loved one was never coming home.

Today, thanks to Forest supporter Amanda Williams who suffered like I did, I met Liverpool fans who were were in the thick of the battle to survive, who told me of the horrors of their experiences, but who wanted to hear our horrors too. I was told how the fans couldn’t see what was happening – their focus was survival!! Our view was of seeing suffering, of panic, of the uselessness of not knowing what was happening. I can tell you – that’s hard to deal with – even at 12 years old.

Diane told me how she survived because of the collapse of a the barrier next to her gave way and fans fell forward. This created an air pocket giving her the ability to breathe and scramble to the pen next to hers and get onto the pitch.

Hundreds of Liverpool Fans were carried from the Leppings Lane end, sometimes on advertising hoardings, sometimes by hand – NOT ONE on a stretcher. They were placed in front of the Kop, in front of me and thousands of Forest fans.

One memory I recall vividly in front of my eyes was of a fan giving CPR to a fellow fan. Sadly I’ve learned now that that fan sadly died. Today I met Alan Griffiths (pictured) who was the fan trying to save the life of this fan. We were just 15 feet apart that day, not knowing we’d ever meet to share our stories. Now we have a bond that won’t be removed.

This day will never leave me, and never leave all of those affected, but this gathering is the first of what we hope will be many more. If you were affected that day, and would welcome some support, then please get in touch with the HSA. Victims are not just those directly impacted, but by those who saw what occurred. In todays world we know it’s ok to be not ok – and Forest fans have never had an out to release the pain – now they do, in partnership with Liverpool fans who also suffered – those who sat in the stands, but not in the pens. 

We send our love and condolences to all those who lost a loved one that day, and they will never be forgotten, and we send hope to those survivors.