Such a sensitive issue to discuss, Hillsborough being the reason that seating came into being due to the tragic loss of lives on that fateful day when we lost 96 brothers and sisters. The reasons for the introduction of all seater stadiums, as outlined in the Taylor report, were to prevent a tragedy like this ever happening again. I believe the report was basically a form of covering up the blatant disregard of the Police that day for football supporters. Whilst i admit that the report predominantly set out to make grounds safer for football fans, there is no doubt that it totally avoided the main reason for the tragedy, the ineptitude of the Police force.
I was brought up with terracing as a child, i stood on the Kop with my uncle on many occasions and i remember those games more than i remember the games where i've been seated. That may sound like a silly comment to make but nobody can doubt the difference in atmosphere between a seated crowd and a standing crowd.
This new safe standing system looks good to me, the abolishment of fencing has alleviated the possibility of crush injuries and i also feel that crowd control measures are far more advanced than they used to be. I am a supporter of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign and i am fully aware of how sensitive a situation this is. In a strange kind of way i feel guilty for wanting this safe standing, i am torn between a rock and a hard place.
When i start taking my boys to Anfield in the near future i would love for them to stand next to me on the Kop, but not at the expense of the memories of the ninety six.
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