On the day that Nottingham Forest take on Liverpool in the FA Cup, local author Jacques Morrell reflects on his personal memory of the tragic events of 1989.
Jacques writes:
The most melodramatic and tragic event that I have seen unfold was the ill-fated FA Cup Semi Final between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.
To stand on a packed terrace and watch the events slowly develop, was understandably memorable. Looking back, it was like bizarre and surreal theatrical performance
The whole stage-show was the complicated mix of choreography and sound. The participation of the audience (the fans) only added to the surreal experience. A narrated documentary or news feature could never match the experience of those supporters who were there. Those supporters who could do nothing but watch the situation unfold.
In that thirty minute period, we stood, as part of the audience, transfixed.
The main stage was the pitch.
Initially an empty green space, then occupied by the twenty two ‘actors’, half in red and half in white.
A ‘choreographer’ was also on stage, who wore black. The opening scene was only a couple of minutes long but was exciting and frantic.
Then some kind of incident began to unfold backstage. The audience were initially confused, then became irritable. The stage was cleared.
Irritation became frustration, then anger.
The audience began singing songs to amuse each other. The songs were derogatory, but kept everyone occupied.
The stage was now busy again, but with a much larger cast. Tens of people, then hundreds, all animated and busy. This time most wore blue.
Blue denim, blue uniforms and blue lights!
All became clear. Now that the stage was occupied by hundreds of people, the script was easier to follow.
Lifeless people were carried on advertising boards and placed near to us.
Many of you will know the story of Hillsborough. It is a dark day in English history that has been revisited many times by people trying to understand what went wrong. The only advantage I had of being in the audience at that ‘opening performance’, is to be left with one abiding memory.
As we watched people attempting resuscitation (stage front), my attention was drawn to a man who appeared (centre stage) and ran towards us. He stopped at the edge of the penalty box. He was about 50 years of age and dressed in denim. He looked towards us. We were his audience for a moment. He spoke but no one heard his words. However, his hand gestures were clear and unmistakable.
They said, ‘Come and join me on stage where I want to fight you’
I turned to my friends and said ‘Time to go’.
Jacques add his appreciation to Nottingham Forest for the club’s gesture at today’s game. The ninety seven Liverpool supporters that died will be remembered at the match. 97 seats will be left unoccupied to honour them.