Reds’ Rose Walk – walking 96 miles for the 96

Following the release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel findings on 12th September 2012, the vast majority of Liverpool fans across the globe were deeply touched by the atrocious details which emerged from the report. Many will have been expecting the truth to finally surface from the dusty, hidden away files, which had been locked away from the publics attention for 23 years. Not many will have expected the true brutality of the details, which surfaced from the reports findings though.

It was truly a time for mixed emotions. More heartache, yet the strongest sense of optimism we have all had since the horrific disaster took place, hoping that we may finally be getting somewhere in the pursuit of justice. More sorrow, yet a huge sense of triumph in the golden light of the truth. More lonely moments of reflection and feeling compassion, for all who have suffered since that fateful day on 15th April 1989. Yet a brilliant sense of togetherness not only through the Liverpool fan base, but also throughout the football community. We never walked alone in September 2012.

96 miles for the 96

From the events that took place just on two months ago, a great group of Liverpool fans had an idea.

That idea has grown into a beautiful event in support of The Hillsborough Family Support Group and The Hillsborough Justice Campaign. Not only will they be raising money for both groups, it will also keep the momentum going for the pursuit of accountability and justice.

We caught up with Cherie Brewster – one of the organisers of the event – somewhere between Sleepers Hill and Arkles Lane and she gave us a great insight into all things red and everything to do with the event.

Hello Cherie, you’re obviously a great red. And all great reds started somewhere. What made you join the ever fantastic journey that is, being an LFC red? What’s your roots? Spill the beans!

Although I’m not a Liverpudlian and I may not lay claim to having ‘scouse’ blood running through my veins, my LFC ‘roots’ were initially very shallow, I’m afraid.  I first became curious about LFC in 1971/72, aged 8 years.  It was based on the fact that I had more LFC football cards from the ‘Footballer’ bubble gum packs than any other team.  My allegiance to them was further enhanced when I was desperate to impress a boy at school who also followed them.  Finally, the thing that made me nail my colours to the LFC mast was the signing of Kevin Keegan. It was love at first sight; and despite him breaking my heart by leaving us in 1977, I’ve never looked at another team since, my love for LFC was, is and always will be stronger.

Being the best club in England, there is no doubt some countless, memorable era’s for LFC. What has been your favourite era following LFC?

It has to be during the 1970s and early 80s – the end of Bill Shankly’s reign through to the end of Bob Paisley’s.  Apart from being our most lucrative time in terms of success, it was also a time when I was young and impressionable; supporting LFC was a huge part of my identity (and burgeoning sexuality).  At school with my friend Bev Ashwell, Liverpool FC and our ‘love’ of Kevin Keegan & Jimmy Case was pretty much all that mattered to us.

What has been your best match attended so far up to this current day? And who is your favourite ever player?

I find that really difficult to answer, as I have many favourites for many differing reasons.  To that end, I will say that my first ever match at Filbert Street, Leicester in 1975.  The result was 1-1, not the most memorable game in terms of play, but I was with my dad standing with all the Reds in the ‘away’ end.  My dad was well known in the Leicestershire and Midlands’ football circles, playing senior league games, he also ran a youth football team on the estate where I grew up.  I remember as he stood with me, his 12 year daughter singing loud and proud, Leicester City fans in the pen next door shouting abuse at him for being with all the Reds.

My favourite ever player?  That’s a tough one.  There are so many great players who have come and gone in my time as a Red, obvious choices like Kenny, Emlyn Hughes, Robbie Fowler, Ian Rush, Tommy Smith, Xabi Alonso, Stevie G…… I’m going to say Jamie Carragher simply because he epitomises all that is the best about Liverpool FC, its traditions, its history and its values.

Obviously we’re here to talk about Reds’ Rose Walk. Can you tell us what is the inspiration behind the walk?

 Simple –  the families of The 96.  Their incredible, unfaltering determination to expose the truth and the dignity and integrity they have displayed for nearly 24 years to get to the point where they can finally seek justice for their loved ones who died so needlessly.

The whole thing arose from a discussion in the pub at the Sunderland away game three days after the report was published.  It’s been a totally organic process; we wanted to do something that would symbolise the 23 year struggle.  Additionally, it was obvious that for the first time, the wider football community were united in their condemnation of the cover up.  The walk didn’t have a name but a few ideas that we should walk 96 miles and lay 96 roses at the Anfield Memorial when we got to the end, hence the name of the walk.

Who, when, where, how and what is the walk going to involve from start to finish?

Twelve walkers in relays of 3 or 4 walking 96 miles from Hillsborough Memorial to Anfield Memorial, non-stop over a 28 hour period.  Starting 0700 on Friday 14December, finishing 12 Noon on Saturday 15 December 2012.

The 96 mile route takes us via 7 other football grounds: Huddersfield, Oldham, Manchester City, Bury, Bolton, Wigan, Everton.

The walking team: Bev Ashwell, Beth O’Shaughnessy, Laura Woodcock, Cherie Brewster, Gary Paterson, Bradley Goulding, Mike Wilson, John Coleman, Bobbie Goulding Jnr, Stuart Wilson, Bobbie Goulding and Richard Fitzgerald

We have a number of ‘guest ‘walkers at various stages these include Neil Mellor, Dom Matteo, Tony Kelly and David Unsworth.

Tell me more about how people can get involved from the sidelines and what is the “£96 for the 96” initiative?

First of all, I just need to mention that we would love to have had as many people walking as wanted to do it.  However, that would have involved us seeking planning permission, provide marshalls etc, all of which is very costly too and would have been a logistical nightmare.

The best way for people to support the walk is to help with fundraising:  There are a few different ways in which this can be done, but by far and away the cornerstone of our fundraising attempt is the £96 for The 96 initiative.

We are asking supporters from football clubs all over the country if they can raise £96 by using a donation form which can be obtained via emailing us redsrosewalk@gmail.com

The donation form consists of 96 spaces (one for each mile being walked) each costing £1.  We ask people to buy as many of the 96 miles as they can afford.  As an extra incentive, we will be holding a prize draw, date to be confirmed.   To have the chance to enter this, people may leave contact details on the form when they buy their miles.  The process is incredibly simple, it just needs a bit of your time to ask friends, family, work mates, down your local pub, sports teams, people on the match day bus, etc. If your friends think they could collect £96, then print a form for them (just tell me so I can add them into the numbers).

Small companies can sponsor a stage of the walk by making a minimum donation of £120, once again by contacting Mike Wilson on the email address above.

We have an online donation facility via www.fromthekop.com for people who prefer to donate using credit card or paypal.

We have asked clubs around the UK to donate a signed shirt or other memorabilia which we will auction at a later date.  There are a number of items already promised from Liverpool, Everton, Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Crewe.  We expect other clubs to be in touch over the next few weeks, so keep an eye on our latest news page at www.fromthekop.com

Following the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel Report that was published on 12th September 2012, it’s clear that the families of the 96, the many survivors and everyone else who has been affected by Hillsborough have been given a new hope of justice and closure. Apart from a great campaign like yours, what is it that not only Liverpool fans, but many other fans of other clubs and everyone else around the country, can do to keep the momentum going for Justice for the 96?

I suppose the answer to that is to do more of what we’ve always done and that is to support the families with their various strategies and encourage supporters from other clubs to do the same.  Whether that is buying wrist bands, downloading a song or signing petitions, emailing MPs carrying posters to matches etc I do think the JFT96 voice is one that will resonate for a long time to come.

Brendan. The owners. And Being Liverpool. What’s your thoughts?

The Owners – I see them purely as custodians of our great club. I hope that in the role they have integrity enough to make sure they don’t bring us to our knees again.  It is a fact that they can make or break the club as a business as was the case with G&H.  I have mixed feelings about the current owners, I want to believe they have Liverpool FC and all that it represents (history, tradition, ‘family’ values, loyalty etc), at the forefront of their decisions and not simply using us as a cash cow to line their own pockets.  They’re certainly “talking the talk”, only time will tell if they will “walk the walk”.

Brendan – I see him as a man of great honesty and integrity, what you see is what you get.  It can’t be underestimated what a big job he has on his hands.  He has a clear vision for the club and the team; we’re already seeing evidence of that vision even if we’re not seeing the results yet.  I’m sure he can do great things for our club, but he has to be given time, not just 18months either.  I think we won’t see a marked improvement for at least another season.  I hope the owners and supporters alike have the patience and remain respectful of him and the players’ efforts while they continue on the journey back to ‘greatness’.

Being Liverpool. – Carra doing yoga and Pepe Reina, topless!!! What’s not to like about that?

Many thanks to Cherie Brewster, Mike Wilson and all the team for giving their time and energy to a great event. Best of luck from all at Anfield Online. You’ll Never Walk Alone.