Open reply to LFC fan

By LoTS
December 8 2004

We've just received this reply to a Liverpool fan's letter. Funnily enough, this correspondence has reached us at the beginning of a week in which Liverpool fans will be appearing in court for violence at the Den.

Dear Mr B

I am a 78-year-old woman. I have always supported Liverpool. I lost family in Hillsborough. I know it wasn’t all supporters, but by this very nice supporter (press cutting attached) it did go on (Hillsborough chants), so the fans once again were not making it up. You read it and Mr Paphitis SHOULD.

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Dear Mrs J

Thanks for your letter. I am sorry about the delay in replying, but I only received your letter on 4th Dec.

The quote from a Millwall fan printed on the Liverpool FC site seems a bit dubious to me, given that he or she is not named. I’d already seen that quote, but thanks for sending me the press cutting anyway.

Please let me reiterate, I didn’t personally hear any Hillsborough chants. Neither did Liverpool legend Phil Neal who sat near me. Theo Paphitis probably didn’t hear any either, as he sits in the same stand.

May I also advise caution when reading what’s written in the press about Millwall. A couple of years ago, one broadsheet reporter claimed that we were racist as we didn’t have any black players. He’d been at the game apparently, but hadn’t noticed we had about 5 on the pitch at the time. So inaccurate reporting is not something new to us.

Can I ask you this? If chants like the above mentioned did take place, does it justify violence? The Liverpool end seemed to think so. They ripped up seats and threw them at the police, surging forward trying to get on the pitch. Some disabled supporters in front of them got hurt.

That much I saw. The TV cameras also recorded it, although the microphones placed around the ground failed to pick up any Hillsborough chants as far as I’m aware.

We also know of CCTV evidence showing a Liverpool fan in the wrong end hitting a Millwall supporter, then raising his fist triumphantly to the away end. He knocked over a few people as he tried to run from the stewards, who eventually ejected him from the ground.

Behaviour like that sadly tarnishes the great name of your club. Up until those incidents, I’d been full of admiration for your fans and how they support the manager and the team. Although it was just a mindless minority spoiling the occasion, it does leave a sour taste in the mouth.

Nevertheless, I do feel an affinity for all football fans - except the hooligans - so I hope you don’t begrudge me my observations.

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Security chiefs at the New Den said 68 seats were ripped out and four supporters were ejected.

Scotland Yard said that James Gallwey, 26, a joiner/fitter from Thirlmere Green, Anfield, Gary Ward, 23, a customer service adviser, of Rishton Street, Anfield, and chef Anthony Presance, 41, from Hawkhurst Close, Dingle, had all been charged with violent disorder.

Unemployed James Harrison, 18, of Rosalind Way, Kirkdale, was charged with affray.

They are all due to appear on bail at Greenwich Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Another fan, who has previously been charged with violent disorder at the same match, will reappear at Greenwich on Friday.