I was at Hillsborough, as I was the previous year. The previous year, fans were checked for tickets at the top of Leppings Lane by the police, if you did not have a ticket, you were not allowed past. The following year, there was no ticketing checks.
Whilst welcoming the panel's verdict, a few things do not sit pretty with me.
1/ The media response. A lot in the media have come onto various phone-ins in the last 24 hours, saying they knew the truth about Hillsborough. Well why did it keep it quiet and leave it to the families, 2 politicians and Brian Reade?
2/ Unfortunately, the feelings of some LFC fans there that day. I too find it sad and distressing, but don't call yourself survivors. Like me, you were lucky, as I was at Heysel aswell.
3/ What are the accounts of Bernard Ingram, Douglas Hurd and Thatcher? What were their conversions with South Yorkshire police? imo, Thatcher was backing the police as a thank you for their support during the miners' strike 5 years earlier.
4/ The cheap apologies ( except Camerons) from SWFC, the police etc. Why has it taken you 23 years to do so? Was you told to apologise?
5/ The sun's headline today.. Not acceptable. " WE LIED." would have been more suitable.
as for Kelvin MacKenzie
Murdoch's puppet and yes man.