In memory..........

The point gained at Exeter, on April 15th 2008, returned to Aldershot a status that was so painfully taken away in 1992.

No Club has a ‘right’ to membership of the Football League. And our place, somewhere closer to the ‘top table’ was not achieved by the outstanding goalkeeping of Nikki Bull or indeed the innocent exuberance of the young squad. No, it was the combined emotional power of so many people over the period 1992-2008 that secured the status of Blue Square Champions.

But as Aldershot’s 2008/9 season continues to track the performance of our Government, the final whistle at St James’ Park has become no more than just a moment in a lifetime of emotion.

At 3.06pm on April 15th 1989 the FA Cup semi-final between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool was stopped as fans spilled onto the pitch from the Leppings Lane end.

For 96 Liverpool fans a lifetime of emotions were tragically extinguished.

The Hillsborough Inquiry, led by Lord Justice Taylor, concluded that the main reason for the overcrowding was the ‘failure of police control’. Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield had determined that opening ‘Gate C’ would be a good idea. And as a direct result 2000 people passed through, and headed for the already packed central pens behind the goal.

The police incompetence was exposed, but despite a number of attempts for ‘justice’ the public examination of the tragic event resulted only in the acceleration of the founding of the Premier League and the introduction of all-seater stadia.

Duckenfield retired early having ‘survived’ the inquiry and a six week trial at Leeds Crown Court – the jury failed to reach a verdict in a private prosecution of manslaughter.

But if only Government had the ability to foresee disaster…..to have seen before the ‘global credit crunch’ that banks were spinning out of control…..

The ‘defence’ argued that the Hillsborough disaster was ‘unprecedented, unforeseeable, unique’………..Rubbish.

In 1946 33 lives were lost as a result of overcrowding at Burnden Park…..66 Glasgow Rangers fans were crushed to death at Ibrox in 1971 and 56 fans lost their lives in the Bradford City Fire on May 11th 1985.

I know 10 Downing Street has always been ‘home’ to a lot of clever people…..the problem today is that they seem to take more interest in the personal life of Tory MP Nadine Dorries than the economic well being of the country - the political assassination of opponents and colleagues taking centre stage. And then when the inevitable ‘disaster’ unfolds Gordon Brown records his ‘deep regret’.

And how can we expect appropriate policing at the G20 demonstrations in London when Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, clearly signs any piece of paper that is put beneath her pen….and then when told that she had claimed expenses for a few dodgy films together with a number of family films….her response was in accordance with ‘Government Policy’, telling us she was sorry and it was a big mistake.

At 2.52pm on April 15th 1989 Chief Superintendent Duckenfield ordered that Gate C should be opened to ‘ease the crush’.......96 Liverpool fans died.

On the same day Aldershot lost at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and relegation to Division 4 was pretty much guaranteed.

The painful events that followed were finally ameliorated when Aldershot Town was promoted back to the Football League in 2008.......we are so fortunate to have experienced such a moment in a lifetime of emotions.