The year past with numerous events that captured the imagination of football fans around the world. Having survived the end of the world a week or so ago, it fills me with joy to be able to write something on the past 12 months that have made me stand up and take in what I have just witnessed.
That moment came late in the year, but was certainly one of the moments that had been a long time coming. On December 19th, a new inquest was granted by the High Court into the Hillsborough disaster back in 1989.
96 football fans went to watch Liverpool play Nottingham Forest that April afternoon and didn’t come home, a travesty to anyone associated with the game. Initially, Reds fans were blamed for the deaths of those fans, an unnecessary tag that families and friends fought long and hard to shake off.
However, after 23 years, the truth was finally revealed back in September following the publication of the Hillsborough inquest and what turned out to be one of the biggest cover-ups in British history. It concluded that 41 of the 96 fatalities could’ve been prevented had the received prompt medical attention.
To think that the disaster could’ve been prevented with correct policing is a thought that sends shivers up any football fan’s spine. Nevertheless, with a fresh inquest ordered, it gives the opportunity for the families who lost loved ones that day to finally see those responsible brought to justice and about time.