Hillsborough - A Candle for the 96

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

Another football weekend approaches (12-13 April) and it includes crunch matches at both the top and bottom of the Barclays Premier League and the two FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium. However, this is not a normal football weekend.

Tuesday, 15 April marks the 25^th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. It was a day when 96 Liverpool supporters went to see a football match and never came home. It still is Britain’s worst sporting disaster and no-one has still been found fully accountable for the nightmare that befall the Reds fans on the terraces of Sheffield Wednesday’s ground that fateful day.

For the families of the 96, plus those who survived but remain scarred by the events of that sunny, Saturday afternoon in 1989, the pain will never ease. They are currently in Warrington as new, fresh inquests opened a fortnight ago into the disaster. The flawed verdicts of accidental death to all the victims was quashed two years ago and the hope is that the families will finally get the justice they deserve after 25 years of endless campaigning and crushing setbacks.

As a mark of respect this weekend, all matches will kick-off seven minutes later than scheduled, before a minute’s silence at every ground across the country to mark the anniversary. This tribute by the FA is a nice touch as the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was stopped at 3.06pm on that horrible day in April 1989. On Sunday, Liverpool face Manchester City in what is sure to be a poignant day at Anfield before the annual Hillsborough Memorial Service at the famous ground two days later. The game between the Merseysiders and the Citizens could be the one that decides the destination of this season’s Premier League title race. However this weekend, football games take a distant second place behind remembrance and paying our respects. As a Liverpool fan, I always have my thoughts away from the field at this time of year.

I pay my respects now with a poem on the 25^th anniversary. It is called ‘A Candle for the 96’

Saturday is here and so is the sun

This day could turn out to be a lot of fun

Hoping that Liverpool would have won

However, the lives of 96 by day’s end were done

For John, Colin, James, Kester and Gerald

A candle is burning bright

For Simon, Barry, David, Tony and Paul

A candle is burning bright

A candle for the 96, the never to be forgotten 96

On that bright day, many families said to their loved ones goodbye

Little did they know that their souls would depart into the sky

The big question on many, both then and now is why

Other higher forces decided to start telling lies

For Andrew, Carl, Henry, Peter and Raymond

A candle is burning bright

For Gary, Joseph, Stephen, Tracey and Christopher

A candle is burning bright

A candle for the 96, the never to be forgotten 96

In some instances, people might have forgot

The families of the 96 remain distraught

However, they have continued the justice campaign and fought

To ensure those responsible for this disaster are caught

For Vincent, Thomas, Jon-Paul, Barry and Ian

A candle is burning bright

For Derrick, Roy, Phillip, Eric and Nicholas

A candle is burning bright

A candle for the 96, the never to be forgotten 96

Two years ago, the families finally got some hope

Finally, the truth emerged from a steep slope

It is amazing how they have coped

Ensuring there is little chance of letting go of the rope

For Sarah, Victoria, Gordon, Arthur and Alan

A candle is burning bright

For Christine, Richard, Anthony, Michael and Brian

A candle is burning bright

A candle for the 96, the never to be forgotten 96

The community of Merseyside have formed a strong committee

Liverpool should be proud of what it has as a city

Thanks Everton for your gritty and loving support

You are our friendly neighbours, not the noisy local rivals

For Francis, Marion, Joseph, Keith and Lee

A candle is burning bright

For Jonathan, William, Graham, Steven and Henry

A candle is burning bright

A candle for the 96, the never to be forgotten 96

Hillsborough left many with plenty of difficult emotions to feel

What happened was a truly terrible ordeal

Then the truth was finally revealed

There is vindication for our 96, justice is the final deal

For Inger, Paula, Adam and Philip

A candle is burning bright, burning bright

For Patrik, Stuart, Martin and Kevin

A candle is burning bright, burning bright

A candle for the 96, the never to be forgotten 96

What happened 25 years ago wasn’t fair

It drove football and those affected to deep despair

The publication printed in the aftermath was a scandal

For our 96, we should always light a candle

A quarter of a century on from Hillsborough and we have stayed strong

Whether it has been through poem, campaign or song

What happened was so wrong

It is time to remember those we lost and light a candle for the 96

HILLSBOROUGH MEMORIAL – 25 YEARS ON
John Alfred ANDERSON (62)	Derrick George GODWIN (24)	Joseph Daniel McCARTHY (21)
Colin Mark ASHCROFT (19)	Roy Harry HAMILTON (34)	Peter McDONNELL (21)
James Gary ASPINALL (18)	Philip HAMMOND (14)	Alan McGLONE (28)
Kester Roger Marcus BALL (16)	Eric HANKIN (33)	Keith McGRATH (17)
Gerald Bernard Patrick BARON (67)	Gary HARRISON (27)	Paul Brian MURRAY (14)
Simon BELL (17)	Peter Andrew HARRISON (15)	Lee NICOL (14)
Barry Sidney BENNETT (26)	Stephen Francis HARRISON (31)	Stephen Francis O’NEIL (17)
David John BENSON (22)	David HAWLEY (39)	Jonathan OWENS (18)
David William BIRTILE (22)	James Robert HENNESSY (29)	William Roy PEMBERTON (23)
Tony BLAND (22)	Paul Anthony HEWITSON (26)	Carl William RIMMER (21)
Paul David BRADY (21)	Carl Darren HEWITT (17)	David George RIMMER (38)
Andrew Mark BROOKES (26)	Nicholas Michael HEWITT (16)	Graham John ROBERTS (24)
Carl BROWN (18)	Sarah Louise HICKS (19)	Steven Joseph ROBINSON (17)
David Steven BROWN (25)	Victoria Jane HICKS (15)	Henry Charles ROGERS (17)
Henry Thomas BURKE (47)	Gordon Rodney HORN (20)	Colin Andrew Hugh William SEFTON (23)
Peter Andrew BURKETT (24)	Arthur HORROCKS (41)	Inger SHAH (38)
Paul William CARLILE (19)	Thomas Anthony HOWARD (14)	Paula Ann SMITH (26)
Raymond Thomas CHAPMAN (50)	Thomas HOWARD (39)	Adam Edward SPEARRITT (14)
Gary Christopher CHURCH (19)	Eric George HUGHES (42)	Philip John STEELE (15)
Joseph CLARK (29)	Alan JOHNSTON (29)	David Leonard THOMAS (23)
Paul CLARK (18)	Christine Anne JONES (27)	Patrik John THOMPSON (35)
Gary COLLINS (22)	Gary Philip JONES (18)	Peter Reuben THOMPSON (30)
Stephen Peter COPOC (20)	Richard JONES (25)	Stuart Paul William THOMPSON (17)
Tracey Elizabeth COX (23)	Nicholas Peter JOYNES (27)	Peter Francis TOOTLE (21)
James Philip DELANEY (19)	Anthony Peter KELLY (29)	Christopher James TRAYNOR (26)
Christopher Barry DEVONSIDE (18)	Michael David KELLY (38)	Martin Kevin TRAYNOR (16)
Christopher EDWARDS (29)	Carl David LEWIS (18)	Kevin TYRRELL (15)
Vincent Michael FITZSIMMONS (34)	David William MATHER (19)	Colin WAFER (19)
Thomas Steven FOX (21)	Brian Christopher MATHEWS (38)	Ian David WHELAN (19)
Jon-Paul GILHOOLEY (10)	Francis Joseph McALLISTER (27)	Martin Kenneth WILD (22)
Barry GLOVER (27)	John McBRIEN (18)	Kevin Daniel WILLIAMS (15)
Ian Thomas GLOVER (20)	Marion Hazel McCABE (21)	Graham John WRIGHT (17)

These are the names of the 96 who will never be forgotten. You’ll Never Walk Alone!  

The memorial to the 96 outside the gates at Anfield

Categories: 1989, FA Cup, Football, Hillsborough, Justice, Liverpool, Merseyside, Poem, Saturday, Truth

Saturday night TV - The dream line-up

Once upon a time Saturday night TV used to a barrel of laughs and entertainment.  Nowadays, it is just pitiful and dismal.

Strictly Come Dancing is the only half-decent programme on a Saturday night now and watching Fix Factor on ITV1 is now something of the past.

While I have developed a real hatred for a programme of wannabees with a lack of talent and judges who are losing creditability with every passing week (I’m talking to you Gary and Nicole), this post is not going to turn into a panel bashing moan about the worst TV programme around now.

So, I wanted to take a trip down yesteryear to the 1990s and a time where the viewer was spoilt for choice. 

Starting from a regular 5pm slot until 10.30pm – this is my dream Saturday night line-up.

5pm – Catchphrase (ITV1)

You’ve just got in from a busy day trundling around the shops, or you’ve done a full day of housework or you come in from a tough day watching your side lose 15-0 at home to Barnet in the football. 

To start this evening off, a little bit of light-hearted entertainment to begin with in the form of Catchphrase.

5.30pm – Big Break (BBC One)

Snooker is not the most attractive sport.  In fact, it is pretty boring to watch but comedy shines through here with the trick shots and fast-paced games like Red Hot and Make or Break.  That’s what snooker should be all about.

Throw in comedian Jim Davidson and Big Break was an attractive pull in its day.

6pm – Gladiators (ITV1)

I miss these days of the super powerful Gladiators who used to be mine and most people’s superheroes.

The days of Wolf behaving badly all the time, the acrobatics from gorgeous girls Lightning and Jet, Mr. Nice Guy Saracen, the deadly Nightshade and the king of the Duel, Shadow.

The whole show was entertaining, competitive and compelling, made up by tackling the toughest assault course in its peak in the Eliminator. 

Now if you still don’t feel entertained, then what is wrong with you?

7pm – Noel’s House Party (BBC One)

Switching channels again can be a chore but it was worth it for some spectacular entertainment in the shape of Noel’s House Party.

Forget Mr. Blobby, Noel’s House Party was phenomenal and provided a bundle of laughs throughout.

Noel Edmonds has become a pale shadow of himself on Deal or No Deal but he did entertain the crowd, especially with games such as Gotcha and Grab a Grand!

8.15pm – Blind Date or You Bet! (ITV1)

Back to channel three on your remote control but Cilla Black was a regular presenter of a show on a Saturday night.

Blind Date was the perfect matchmaking show and it produced some couples who were a match made in heaven and others who simply didn’t work out.

Sometimes, You Bet! was also a brilliant show as teams had to try and get the better of a challenge in a time limit, with a studio audience helping the selection and charity proving to be the main winner.

Also, the loser in the celebrity panel had to a do a celebrity dare, which was the best part of the programme!  Matthew Kelly was a brilliant host, Darren Day less so!

9.30pm – Who wants to be a Millionaire? (ITV1)

Add some tension to your Saturday night and some drama too and I’m not talking about Casualty here!

In its prime, Who Wants to be a Millionaire could attract plenty of high audiences as Chris Tarrant asked the questions towards a £1million pounds.

Plus, there are the three lifelines, such as 50:50, the sometimes forgettable Ask the Audience and the occasional clueless Phone a Friend.

10.30pm – Match of the Day (BBC One)

Probably a predictable choice for me but while ITV show an old film from the 1980s, I’d prefer to watch the compelling highlights from the day’s action in the FA Premier League.

Match of the Day is the perfect finale to a perfect Saturday night.

So there you go, inside the mind of a perfect Saturday night on television.  If only we can move back in time to change schedules!

Categories: Big Break, Catchphrase, Gladiators, Jet, Jim Davidson, Lightning, Match of the Day, Nightshade, Noel Edmonds, Saracen, Saturday, TV, Wolf, You Bet!