The Flame Burns
At Anfield a flame burns for justice
For The Ninety-Six we have none.
The families grieve for their loved ones
The pain of Hillsborough goes on and on.
In the sunshine of an April day 1989
To Sheffield they went to follow the team.
Feeling the excitement of the FA cup
Pursuing the magic of the Anfield dream.
In the same semi-final the year before
Against Forrest, there was not enough space,
Though crushed, all calls for change ignored,
The match was played in the same place.
Though Liverpool had more supporters,
They were given Leppings Lane, too small.
The Forrest fans, more space, though numbers less,
The organisers knew it all.
Road works on the motorway,
Held up coaches that arrived late.
The crowd was packed inside the ground
They said the match won’t wait.
The 'Chief Super' ‘froze’ when asked what to do
Then ordered the gate opened wide
Supporters streamed down the tunnel into the ground
No-one to guide them, fans packed inside.
They were crushed against the safety fences
Wire stretching up to the sky.
Trapped like animals in a cage,
Pressed forward, condemned to die.
A few got through a narrow gap to the pitch,
Others lifted to the stands high up.
The game was stopped by the referee,
A tragic FA cup.
The fans did all they could to help,
Made stretchers from hoardings ripped down,
They tried to carry those injured
To get them out of the ground.
Ambulances came but were not let through to help,
Police said falsely, there was fighting inside.
They forced helping fans with the injured back,
That’s why so many died.
Ninety-six supporters died that day,
Men and women, young and old.
Flowers from the Fields of Anfield.
Accidental death, we were told.
The haunting memories of that day,
Will burn like the flame within,
Until the truth is told and known
The families will not give in.
(for the ninety -six )
G Cobb.
Image from: Liverpool Echo