Hillsborough verdict and the return of The Hitman

After 23 long years, the truth has been uncovered; now it's time for justice.

This week the truth about what really happened at the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough in 1989 came out. Many people have discussed it at length this week, as it has been headline news on the front pages as well as the back pages, so as emotional as I feel about it I don't want to dwell too much on the past; the 96 will never ever be forgotten, but now is the time for looking to the future. Even if the future is campaigning for the people who did do wrong on 15th April 23 years ago to be held accountable for their actions, as well as those who covered it up and prolonged the pain for the victims' families.  I find it hard to think that criminal charges won't be brought, particularly in the face of such compelling evidence against certain organisations and the individuals within. Although the ninety-six will always be in our hearts forevermore, I hope that the families, the city and the club can move forward; I can think of no greater tribute to the fans that did not come home that fateful day, than to start bringing trophies (and particularly the Premier League!) back to Anfield on a regular basis. I would like to finish this section by thanking all the fans of other clubs, that have sent messages of support to our club throughout this week. Unfortunately there have been a few moronic idiots that deny the verdict of the independent panel, but the support from the football family has been fantastic. 

Also this week, former two-weight boxing world champion Ricky 'The Hitman' announced he will be coming out of retirement for a fight against an unnamed opponent in November. It has to be said that Ricky dominated the light-welterweight division before moving up to welterweight so he has nothing to prove. At his peak Ricky beat the pound-for-pound No 1 Kostya Tszyu, as well as claiming the WBA welterweight belt from Luis Collazzo before losing to two of the best pound-for-pound pugilists the planet has ever seen (or might ever see!) in Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio.That said, you can understand that from a pride point of view why he would want to prove to himself as much as anybody that he is better than the devastating two round defeat to Pacquaio showed. Here is Ricky's press conference.

Ricky was quick to say that he wanted to earn the right to fights at the top level, but there are certainly some hum-dingers out there if he proves his worth. A fight against Paulie Malignaggi seems likely at some point in the future; after all Hatton knows he can beat the American who has never had the greatest punch power. From there, there are huge domestic money spinners against Amir Khan and Kell Brook to consider. One fight I would like to see is Hatton v Junior Witter, just so Hatton can shit him up for good. If only his boxing was as good as his mouth! As current British welterweight champion this match up is probably a real possibility. Hatton says he is in the best pre-fight shape of his life following his training with Bob Shannon who has been using 'old school' methods which favour Ricky's approach. I think that now Ricky's head is right, we may even see the best Hitman that we have ever seen. Most of all, I hope that Ricky gets what he needs from his comeback. Roll on November 24th. 

As a final note, congratulations to Andy Murray for winning the US Open on Monday. May that be the first of many major wins now he has got the proverbial monkey off his back. It is a shame that we have to wait until the Australian Open in January to find out. 

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FA Cup semi-final preview

Who will lift the FA Cup this year?

 Well the middle of April is upon us, and that means it is semi-final time in the oldest, most prestigious, and some would say the best club knockout competition in the world; The FA Cup. And this years semis are both poised to be absolute crackers as they are both derbies. I still am not sure about playing the semi-finals at Wembley, but I understand that the FA have to make back their £800 million deficit, but contrary to that I do think it devalues the final in a way. Maybe Elland Road and Villa Park are not really suitable anymore, but why not play the games at Old Trafford and The Emirates?

SF1: Liverpool v Everton 14 Apr 12.30pm

The first semi-final is very much a game that has history with the FA Cup. A reminder of years gone by; Lineker v Hansen; Rush v Ratcliffe; Kendall v Dalglish. The Old Wembley!
This game has always been billed as 'the friendly derby', and I believe that it still is. My family is very much living proof of this. I am one of four boys, two of which are reds, and the other two are blues. The first result I look for after Liverpool's is always Everton's, even if it is so I can give my brothers and my Mum some banter! I would have to admit though, that I have been a bit quiet on the banter front ever since Everton beat Sunderland. Despite David Moyes' attempts to play down his teams chances, Everton would be favourites in most peoples eyes. They have been in a very rich vain of form since the turn of the year, and Liverpool's form couldn't be more different. Having only picked up nine points in the calender year, our only real shining lights have been getting to this semi-final, and beating Everton 3-0 in the league a few weeks ago. Maybe this will be the inspiration that the mighty reds need. Key areas for Everton all seem to be positive on the face of things. Tim Cahill is coming back to form, and Nikica Jelavic looks to be settling in nicely. Tim Howard is, and has been for some years, an outstanding goalkeeper; and with Phil Jagielka coming back to full fitness at the right time The Blues should be just about at full strength. I wish the same could be said about Liverpool. Having lost Pepe Reina to a suspension last week, things are looking bleak to say the least. In Reina, Lucas and Agger, three of our most influential players of the season will all be missing. Hopefully Captain Fantastic Steven Gerrard can inspire Liverpool to the final.

SF2: Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea

 

All the talk up until now has been about the timing of this game, which is strange to say the least, but both teams will have to grin and bear it. It is a shame for Chelsea though, because they should be given the best opportunity to beat Barcelona which will be near impossible at the best of times. Yet another faux pas by the FA. 
In a way, this game is quite similar to the first semi-final as we have one team who had a great start to the season but have faltered a bit recently, and another that started poorly but are coming on strong at the right time. Spurs would be many peoples team of 2011, but since all the talk of Harry Redknapp being the stand-out candidate for England manager they have seemed very much unsettled. They do still look to be playing well, but have seemed less clinical than usual. They do have so many match winners in Bale, Modric, Adebayor, Defoe....(the list goes on!) and they also have a quality defence backed by Premier League stalwart Brad Friedel. On the other hand, Chelsea could not have been in more disarray before Christmas, but since removing Andre Villas-Boas and replacing him with a man deemed not good enough for West Brom last year, they strangely seem to have found some timely cohesion. Having reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the Champions League, you would think that Roberto Di Matteo would target Spurs as an easier team to beat than Barcelona; as good as Spurs are it is a bit of a no brainer. With this in mind I expect Chelsea to go all out to win this game, and as it is Spurs only opportunity to win a trophy this term they shouldn't leave anything behind either. 

SPORT SHORTS

• The final day of The Masters at Augusta today, and the Brits will have some work to do if one of them is to bring home the title. My money would be on Phil Mickleson as not only did he have a storming round yesterday, but he's done it before. I am sure Augusta will bite back at some point though.
• Despite making the point in my description of this blog that I can't stand Horse Racing, I do watch the Grand National. I pick a horse based on a combination of its name and its jockey, and this year I'm going for shakalakaboomboom. I hope all get round safely, and I hope there are people left in Liverpool to go to Aintree. Are there people in Liverpool who don't like football? I doubt it. 
• I make this point in my shorts as it is something that makes me very sad and very angry; even twenty three years on. On April 15 1989 96 people died at Hillsborough at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. Without doubt it brings a tear to my eye and rage to my heart, every time. All I want to say is Justice for the 96. Gone, but never ever forgotten. 

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