The Hillsborough disaster of ’89 is constantly in the forefront of Liverpool supporter’s minds, which is why the Football Supporter’s Federation’s decision to campaign for terraces to be returned to English stadiums will probably shock, and confuse, the majority of us.
You may think that this decision by a few to campaign for terraces does not affect LFC or the supporters, however, we will end up being at the centre of this debate, as the Hillsborough Family Support Group already are, to show the campaigners the devastating effects terraces have had at stadiums, and the reason why they are banned to this day.
Trying to write about this objectively is difficult as a Liverpool fan as, understandably, I am biased and will have my opinion swayed by the tragic events at Hillsborough, and an unwillingness to see that happen again, whether at Hillsborough, Anfield or any ground in the country.
The FSF’s argument is that they have terraces in countries such as Germany, and they have had none, or little, casualties due to having terraces. Another argument made was that the tragic loss of 96 lives on 15th April 1989 wasn’t due to terraces, it was due to overcrowding and fences.
With all due respect, even though there have been little reported problems of terraces in Germany, the football cultures in Germany and England are different, and what works in one country does not necessarily mean it would work in another.
I can understand the point that terraces were not the only cause of the Hillsborough tragedy, and that fences and overcrowding played their part, but terraces were a contributing factor, and I have to wonder if it’s really worth the risk?
The FSF argue that terraces add to the atmosphere at grounds, and that most of the fans stand anyway, but surely atmosphere is down to the fans to create, and not created from what they may or may not be sat on? Nobody can argue that the atmosphere at Anfield is anything but electric, and I’ve been to other football grounds where the atmosphere is amazing, all without terraces. Will they really bring in atmosphere, or is this just a case of more fans being able to get tickets to games?
Seating in stadiums has also brought diversity into stadiums with more women and children attending games since the ban on terraces came in to place, and surely that’s a good thing for English football, and football in general.
The overall point of this is that one good thing came of the tragic loss of the 96 souls, a ban on terraces meaning a much higher standard of safety in stadiums. If terraces were brought back, yes, there wouldn’t be fences, yes, the clubs would have to monitor the amount of people being let into the ground, but, is it really worth the risk? Do we really want the lives of 96 people to be in vain? Do we really want in years to come to be fighting for Justice for Another 96?
Editor – It would be great for us and other readers to know your thoughts on this highly topical subject for Liverpool fans so please take a moment to leave your comments in the box below.
Article Author - Kayleigh Goldie
"I'm Kayleigh and I was never meant to be a Liverpool fan. I'm originally from Burnley, but I've lived near Liverpool for 11 years. My mum, dad and brother are Burnley fans, and my step mum and step brothers are United fans. It's actually through my uncles and going to Liverpool vs Burnley matches that sparked my love for the Reds. The passion of the players, and particularly the fans, intrigued me so much and I instantly fell in love with Liverpool."
Well written pal. keep it up. I hold the same opinion too. The fact that Hillsborough is a landmark incident which shaped the modern football what we have today in England. Why going back to the past to revisit the dark days again?
For Liverpool fc supporters, it’s deep rooted in their sentiments, but even if stop being biased, then also, can’t risk our dear ones/friends/ other fellow fans/ mates/ let die for watching a football match. Be it fence or terrace!! ” When will they ever learn”- Seeger
Thanks for the comment, it’s very much appreciated. I know this isn’t something that just LFC supporters don’t want. A lot of my friends aren’t Liverpool fans, and when I’ve spoken to them about it, they don’t think the return of terraces is worth the potential risk.
No need to permit these once again. If Anfield is successfully thriving without them, then this should be obvious.
I wonder if @kennethdalglish read our new post yesterday "Should Terraces be brought back?" http://bit.ly/fPszuD when he wrote his!
A very well written article on such a sensitive subject. For anyone who thinks terraces should be brought back to English football should have a look at the eternal flame and the names around it at the Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield. If that doesn’t change your mind then words are worthless.
I, together with many others, promised that after Hillsborough we would never again stand on terraces nor encourage others to do so. Nothing has really changed. The sadness of the loss of the 96 will never fade. Human behaviour has not changed and random standing on terraces allows for unstructured behavour . There doesn’t need to be any blame for the behaviour of large numbers of fans to get out of control – witness the home fans when the Reds were in Europe.
How anyone can contemplate considering sucha set -up again is beyond me.
For those of us that promised — stand firm.
To those who even consider returning to terraces hear this:
“To each and every one of the 96, loved always and forgotten never. RIP”
I have been to games in the Kop when it was all standing and god yes the atmosphere was electric… (had trouble trying to pee down a newspaper though lol)
I know there are european countries with new style terracing that works well….but why change something that isn’t broken….yes it has affected some clubs…but then again they don’t have the fans that LFC have.
Surely it’s all about enjoying the game…and remembering the 96 that lost their lives standing in terraces!!!
This issue of the terraces is so important than ever with the 22nd anniversary coming up.
Let members of the Football Supporter’s Federation stand at Anfield and still want to bring back terraces.
RIP loved always
Terracing should never be seen again at an English football stadium. I was supposed to be at Hillsbourough that fateful day and only through luck am I hear now. I know that the disaster was not solely down to terracing but it certainly contributed.
I am old enough to remember standing on the Kop for some great games where the atmosphere was electric but you can still experiance those games now at all seater stadia. I would much rather introduce my son to the game and the club that I love in todays all seater grounds.
We owe it to the memory of all those who lost their lives and to their families not to allow terracing again.
YNWA
I was at West Brom watching Chelsea the week before Hillsborough and on the way out I got stuck against the crush barriers exiting the away end. I should have turned left and around the barriers and then right but with about 8000 fans behind me I didn’t see the barriers in front of me. I got wedged in against the barriers and it was scary as I could feel the pressure on my ribs and in panic had to flail a bit to get the room to turn in the right direction. I said to a passing fan as I eventually managed to go with the flow that it was only a matter of time before women and children got killed at a match. The next week I was away at Leicester when I heard the sad news filter through during the game. I had also been at the Leppings Lane End during the 80s and frustrated when on the opening game of the season not all turnstile gates were open. We were singing ‘Let us in. let us in!’ I find it diifficult to enjoy a game, say if in the Shed End when you are constantly having to stand up as everyone else is standing every time the ball approaches the goal. You don’t have a choice to sit as if you don’t yo yo up & down with the rest you see nothing. With the demand for tickets greater than ever, even if you are a member you cannot get a ticket for the big away games and with allocations around the 3000 mark I find it tends to limit the atmosphere. It is only when there is a cup game that you feel the presence of the away support and with the limited space around Stamford Bridge I feel that the lower Shed could be terracing. I have only been to Anfield once watching Chelsea and had to get a ticket in one of the stands. Sadly I never saw the great swathe of the Kop during the time of the terraces but had many fond memories of standing on the Shed and other terraces. I feel that the atmosphere could be enhanced by controlled terracing maybe only for the home supporters. You need to be on a club’s database at the minimum to apply for tickets for general sale games with security, stewarding and facilities vastly improved nowadays. There also appears to be more fans going for the football than to cause trouble with much less fear pervading match days. Back to the 80s and it wasn’t much fun trying to move between seats if there was a rush. I think bringing back limited terracing to start wouldn’t be forgetting the 96, RIP but help through a renewed love of the game and friendly respect for each different colour of scarf or shirt that turns up to cheer their team come win or lose that maybe, just maybe we can get back to the best of the matchday experience which would still serve as a tribute to those who died but in a spirit of progression rather than fear. I may be wrong, maybe in reality it is unworkable or too painful to contemplate but I’d like to believe we could dare to try…and to see it work. It may be madness but it is just borne out of football passion. Thanks for reading.