Never forgotten 🔥97🔥

Its been 36 years to the day that thousands upon thousands of people descended on Sheffield, full of smiles, laughter, excitement and expectations.

They travelled from all over the country, in fact from many parts of the world to watch their beloved Reds in FA Cup semi final against Nottingham Forest.

Morning would have broke as people scurried around looking for scarves, hats and any other item that represents the club they love.

Breakfast would have been hurriedly consumed before making their way to Sheffield by car, train or coach.

The joys of laughter and anticipation would soon be replaced by cries of sadness and disbelief.

What should have been a day of dreams descended into a day of nightmares…….and worse as news began to filter through of people actually dying. The number rose and rose…..and rose.

How was this possible ? How and why was this allowed to happen?

Entire families were ripped apart. Loved ones searched for their family members and friends. Not all were immediately located.

Life that day, 36 years ago today changed for so many forever.

This is the day I dread every year, every single year since 1989. The pain might not be as intense as it once was but the emptiness remains just as before.

Life stopped for so many from so many different backgrounds and ages. Life ceased for them. Life changed forever for the families left to pick up the remains of shattered families, wondering how was this allowed to happen?

36 years to the day.

We can only wonder and imagine what our lost friends and family would have made of their lives during the last 36 years.

Would my mate Barry gone on to marry his girlfriend from the Emerald Isle? Who knows, we’ll never know because he wasn’t afforded the opportunity.

So many friends and family will be wondering the exact same thing about their loved ones.

On this day, 36 years ago to the day a disaster occurred that should never have been allowed to happen.

Lives have changed forever. It shouldn’t have been this way but it is and we can’t change the past, but we can remember be it once a year or every single day of every single year since 1989.

On this day April 15 we come together in remembrance of our lost family and friends. Together we remember, we still mourne and we still question in disbelief and horror how this happened, how it was allowed to happen.

Barry would be 63 now. He was 26 in April 1989. I was 24. I am now 60. Barry is still 26.

Would he be married with kids….. grandkids? We’ll never know.

Today is the worst day of the year for me and the worst day of the year for so many.

Let us never forget the tragic events of that sunny day April 15 1989. A day that turned from sunshine, laughter and joy into a day of darkness, sadness and sorrow.

Their memories will live within us til our final breath.

Rest in peace 97.

You’ll never be forgotten.