I think over the years anyone who's dare to suggest that some LFC fans may have had a part to play in this, however small, are seen as siding with the obvious mis-handling, error strewn policing, the odious s*** McKenzie or Thatchers use of this politically and somehow insinuating that 96 people contributed to their own deaths - far from it.

To suggest though that this was apparently the only 'ticketed' game where Liverpool didn't have a significant number of fans turn up without tickets and try to gain entry in some way shape or form is incredible in the extreme.

It was a widespread facet of 80's football and certainly something that Liverpool, amongst others, had form in. I know that Liverpool fans tried to gain entry to the Forest end that day from a Forest fan who was there.

Now what that had as a contributory factor is impossible to gauge - did it lead to police making incorrect decisions to open gates just to deal with the larger than expected numbers all trying to get in ? Did it colour the attitude to policing on that day so its was far more focused around 'hooliganism' than safety, (which was pretty much the default police position across every force in the country anyway) ?

All said and done it really doesn't matter, its a minor piece of this.

What matters is that 96 people died from a catalogue of events, decisions and issues which started when a ground that should never have hosted the game was selected - it shows the level football fans were treated and how they where thought of that it didn't even have a safety certificate

There are people who should be brought to account for themselves either legally or simply through media scrutiny - don't hold your breath though - they wont be.

Edited by The Sash (27 Apr 2016 9.10am)

Edited by The Sash (27 Apr 2016 9.13am)

As far as the rules go, it's a website not a democracy - Hambo 3/6/2014

One ???? Christ - what else has he done - smash prostitutes with hammers ? Rape puppies in front of nursery school children ?

To be fair slightly to Duckenfield, I can sympathise that he is in a position that day where he has to make hard decisions in dynamic circumstances and under pressure and even as an experienced senior Policeman, he is human and humans f*** up - the issue I personally have with him is his obvious feeding of disinformation and downright lies in the aftermath....

Edited by The Sash (27 Apr 2016 9.20am)

As far as the rules go, it's a website not a democracy - Hambo 3/6/2014

Agree.

COYP

I agree with the ticketless issue. It may or may not have contributed to what happened but if it did it was certainly not the only reason and they should be able to deal with it as it was happening every season for 2,3,4 semis and replays and cup finals and replays for that matter. Reduce capacity, don't open the gates, have enough turnstyles open, have stewards directing people. If there is a crush outside there is at least space at the back, although difficult to instruct. In a pen there is nowhere. Of course it shouldn't get to a crush anyway. Delay KO, stagger people somehow before that tight area.

I think this did add to how the Police image of every football fan spread...

'Did it (ticketless fans) colour the attitude to policing on that day so its was far more focused around 'hooliganism' than safety, (which was pretty much the default police position across every force in the country anyway)'

COYP

What still is astounding even taking into account the human error element is how close the police viewing box with Duckenfield in it was to the Leppings Lane end. Even Stevie Wonder could have seen that the end pens were just over half full whilst the middle ones were rammed at around 2.45.

Ralph Wiggum could have done a better job.

Big chest and massive boobs

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I am so glad that it has been proved in a court of law, that no one was pissed and everyone had a valid ticket

I support Scotland, Hibs and the Palace, no glory hunters here!!!!!!

PLEASE SIR, CAN I HAVE A PIE!!