For most of my life, I didn't 'do' emotion; and it's not in my nature to associate myself with anything which might be described as a 'cause'; but, I have been proud to wear a HFSG bracelet ever since they were introduced. For some reasons difficult to explain, however, I'm a little ill-at-ease about some of the reactions to what has been revealed by The Hillsborough Independent Panel.
But, more of that later.
As I've often explained in this blog, ever since I realised I was born in the city, I've been a supporter of Liverpool Football Club. In those days, to some extent, the club chose you because it was customary to support your local team. Having said that, although I stood in the Boy's enclosure at Anfield, as a child, and have often watched 'away' games since moving from the region, I have become increasingly dis illusioned with association football in recent times. In fact, although it's a month since the start of the 2012/13 season, I haven't felt inclined to watch a single game on TV.
Now, there could be a number of reasons for this. For example, an opportunity to admire what I consider to be the more honest endeavours we saw at The Olympic and Paralympic games, or cricket, Formula One, motor-cycle, and pedal-cycle racing, rugby union, and tennis; all of which are far more appealing (to me) than the shenanigans currently on display in the English Premier League.
Sadly (and I've struggled for several months to understand the situation I'm about to describe), I suspect that the seeds for my growing disenchantment with football were sown during an evening I spent with a fellow Liverpuddlian. It would serve no purpose to identify him; however, in the unlikely event that he'll read this blog, he knows who he is. All I will reveal is that he is well- educated, well-travelled, and successful; to some extent - some might say - characteristics I could claim for myself.
However, there is a vital difference; and that is that he supports Everton Football Club; not a casual fan (as it could be said I am); but a real fan - who, despite living over 100 miles from Merseyside, is a season-ticket holder and attends most away games as well. Furthermore, as if that wasn't enough, he acknowledges his Scottish ancestry by being an extremely active member of The Tartan Army and attends all their away games, too.
Unfortunately - and notwithstanding the fact I was a guest - from the moment I stepped into his home, the opinionated Toffee made no attempt to conceal his dislike for LFC; and, in particular, their fans. As I mentioned to his wife on the following morning, I was completely taken aback by the ferocity of his contempt; and, even now, I am confused by my own reaction to it.
Somewhat naively (perhaps because I had been away from the area for so long) I had always understood that the rivalry between Liverpool and Everton supporters was good-humoured. I'm pretty certain that's how it used to be in the forties; and more recently, in the eighties, I remember attending a Cup Final replay between the two clubs at Manchester City's old ground at Maine Road which was referred to as 'The Friendly Final' (I had travelled down from Glasgow, BTW).
Evidently, however, on the basis of my aforementioned encounter, the relationship nowadays is anything but friendly. Indeed, my host claimed that his own sentiments (which, quite frankly, I thought were astonishing) were moderate. Whether that's true or not, I don't care to speculate upon; what was clear, though, was that it appears that the extreme bad feelings started after the Heysel stadium disaster when 39 Juventus fans were killed after a wall collapsed on them whilst running away from Liverpool fans in 1985. As a consequence of these circumstances, English teams were placed under an indefinite ban by UEFA from all European competitions (lifted in 1990–91).
Although, it could be argued that all English teams were equally affected by the ban, what aggravated the Everton fans (certainly, the one I'm speaking of) was that it was their opinion that their team, at that time, was on the verge of qualifying more often for European competitions and the fact that the behaviour of Liverpool fans was deemed responsible for the ban compounded their disappointment; and their bitter rival's well-documented successes in Europe before and since the tragedy has probably added to their sense of injustice.
Clearly, this resentment has festered for years (a generation, at least) and to a quite alarming degree; it was even suggested, at some stage, that 96 (the number of LFC supporters who died at Hillsborough) isn't high enough. So, it's hardly surprising that my opinion of, so-called, committed fans is extremely low and might explain why I'm experiencing a deepening revulsion for football; and, in particular, those who take what I believe to be a 'game' far too seriously.
Returning, finally, to issues arising out of The Hillsborough disclosures. Whilst I have, in my own small way, tried to support the families of those who perished and applaud their determination in achieving 'The Truth', I do fear there's a danger of alienating some who may be sympathetic to their cause by 'over-egging' the situation. Similarly, I can't say I'm comfortable with those who seem to be climbing onto what is becoming a 'bandwagon' - and for reasons which may be politically motivated. Hopefully, the good folk of Liverpool will not be blinded by such blatant opportunism.
But, more of that later.
As I've often explained in this blog, ever since I realised I was born in the city, I've been a supporter of Liverpool Football Club. In those days, to some extent, the club chose you because it was customary to support your local team. Having said that, although I stood in the Boy's enclosure at Anfield, as a child, and have often watched 'away' games since moving from the region, I have become increasingly dis illusioned with association football in recent times. In fact, although it's a month since the start of the 2012/13 season, I haven't felt inclined to watch a single game on TV.
Now, there could be a number of reasons for this. For example, an opportunity to admire what I consider to be the more honest endeavours we saw at The Olympic and Paralympic games, or cricket, Formula One, motor-cycle, and pedal-cycle racing, rugby union, and tennis; all of which are far more appealing (to me) than the shenanigans currently on display in the English Premier League.
Sadly (and I've struggled for several months to understand the situation I'm about to describe), I suspect that the seeds for my growing disenchantment with football were sown during an evening I spent with a fellow Liverpuddlian. It would serve no purpose to identify him; however, in the unlikely event that he'll read this blog, he knows who he is. All I will reveal is that he is well- educated, well-travelled, and successful; to some extent - some might say - characteristics I could claim for myself.
However, there is a vital difference; and that is that he supports Everton Football Club; not a casual fan (as it could be said I am); but a real fan - who, despite living over 100 miles from Merseyside, is a season-ticket holder and attends most away games as well. Furthermore, as if that wasn't enough, he acknowledges his Scottish ancestry by being an extremely active member of The Tartan Army and attends all their away games, too.
Unfortunately - and notwithstanding the fact I was a guest - from the moment I stepped into his home, the opinionated Toffee made no attempt to conceal his dislike for LFC; and, in particular, their fans. As I mentioned to his wife on the following morning, I was completely taken aback by the ferocity of his contempt; and, even now, I am confused by my own reaction to it.
Somewhat naively (perhaps because I had been away from the area for so long) I had always understood that the rivalry between Liverpool and Everton supporters was good-humoured. I'm pretty certain that's how it used to be in the forties; and more recently, in the eighties, I remember attending a Cup Final replay between the two clubs at Manchester City's old ground at Maine Road which was referred to as 'The Friendly Final' (I had travelled down from Glasgow, BTW).
Evidently, however, on the basis of my aforementioned encounter, the relationship nowadays is anything but friendly. Indeed, my host claimed that his own sentiments (which, quite frankly, I thought were astonishing) were moderate. Whether that's true or not, I don't care to speculate upon; what was clear, though, was that it appears that the extreme bad feelings started after the Heysel stadium disaster when 39 Juventus fans were killed after a wall collapsed on them whilst running away from Liverpool fans in 1985. As a consequence of these circumstances, English teams were placed under an indefinite ban by UEFA from all European competitions (lifted in 1990–91).
Although, it could be argued that all English teams were equally affected by the ban, what aggravated the Everton fans (certainly, the one I'm speaking of) was that it was their opinion that their team, at that time, was on the verge of qualifying more often for European competitions and the fact that the behaviour of Liverpool fans was deemed responsible for the ban compounded their disappointment; and their bitter rival's well-documented successes in Europe before and since the tragedy has probably added to their sense of injustice.
Clearly, this resentment has festered for years (a generation, at least) and to a quite alarming degree; it was even suggested, at some stage, that 96 (the number of LFC supporters who died at Hillsborough) isn't high enough. So, it's hardly surprising that my opinion of, so-called, committed fans is extremely low and might explain why I'm experiencing a deepening revulsion for football; and, in particular, those who take what I believe to be a 'game' far too seriously.
Returning, finally, to issues arising out of The Hillsborough disclosures. Whilst I have, in my own small way, tried to support the families of those who perished and applaud their determination in achieving 'The Truth', I do fear there's a danger of alienating some who may be sympathetic to their cause by 'over-egging' the situation. Similarly, I can't say I'm comfortable with those who seem to be climbing onto what is becoming a 'bandwagon' - and for reasons which may be politically motivated. Hopefully, the good folk of Liverpool will not be blinded by such blatant opportunism.
