SOMETIMES the bullshit you wrap yourself up in over football is laid bare for what it really is.
This is one of those times. It doesn’t matter. It isn’t important. Not really. Not now.
I love Liverpool, and I love Liverpool Football Club.
But I love my children more.
I’ve been the first to say Liverpool, and Liverpool FC, should strive to outdo Manchester and Manchester’s football clubs in every way possible. When football feels relevant again, I’ll no doubt say it again.
We’re rivals — as cities, in football, in music, in fashion, style, economically; take your pick.
When two cities so close consistently produce so much talent of every kind; sporting-wise, artistically, musically — allied to a cocksure attitude that is a characteristic of both conurbations — striving for one-upmanship is human nature. It’s inevitable. In some ways healthy and enjoyable. In many other ways, not so.
We’re this tribe and that is theirs. Ours is better, and they say the same.
So close, so similar. Northern. Proud. Hard-working. Tight communities. Tough. Normal people. Good people. Cities with problems, yet cities with so much to celebrate, past and present.
As with any rivalry, some will take it to extremes. I’ve written before about the Munich, Heysel and Hillsborough tragedy tennis that has shamed many a meeting between Liverpool and Manchester United, and how thoroughly depressing all that is. Human tragedies and those affected by them all forgotten to score points at a football match. And for what?
What happened at the MEN Arena on Monday night just underlined the irrelevance and stupidity of it all. There’s a line. And it feels like too many too often cross it. The endless whataboutery from those that perpetuate it on both sides achieves nothing. Because we’re all the same — football fans, obsessed with our clubs, passionate about our teams. And people. Just people.
As the news that was so difficult to comprehend filtered though that a deranged mass murderer had targeted a pop concert packed — in the main — with young, vulnerable girls, that it was in Manchester mattered none.
It’s the human tragedy, the mindless murdering and maiming of so many so young, that slaps you in the face and makes you sick to the stomach, not where they are from.
Those poor parents, in such a normal, everyday situation, taken in an instant from a time that should have been one of smiles, laughter and an early life experience for their little loved ones to cherish, to the darkest of holes. A living hell. A nightmare it is impossible to dream. How can a ticket for a special treat lead to the cruellest of deaths? How can you accept that? How can you take that in?
How many parents across the world looked at their children today with tears in their eyes and counted themselves lucky? I know I did. My daughter is seven. Arianda Grande is part of her culture. It’s not hard to join the dots in the most horrific of ways. That involuntary imagining is upsetting enough. The reality is impossible to comprehend. It’s a numbing, horrific, inhuman crime. How? Why? What for?
#WeStandTogether
(Pic by: Ellie Longman) pic.twitter.com/VhONuOAnnY— Liverpool Echo (@LivEchonews) May 23, 2017
The details are desperately sad. There will be more to come. And you know there is much worse that only those on the ground who have lived to tell the tale can truly ever know. They will replay it forever more — it will be a moment and a date permanently etched in minds for a lifetime.
Young lives over before they have begun. Yet more changed for the worst. Ordinary families ripped apart for no good reason. Many more facing the torment that a shock such as this will inevitably bring for survivors.
Football seems an absolute irrelevance. Manchester United’s press conference was cancelled ahead of the Europa League Final and frankly who can blame anyone at the club for taking that decision? What should be a party in Stockholm is now anything but.
A draining, despicable act occurred in the community they represent. Fans affected, players affected, club staff affected. No doubt in every sense of the word. And yet still some in the media saw fit to publicly question the decision. Sometimes it’s better to say nothing.
For such a supposed deep rivalry lines between Liverpool and Manchester have been blurred more and more. A Scouser in Wayne Rooney has captained Manchester United. He is a hero there. Phil Neville represented Everton. Paul Ince represented Liverpool. Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville clearly good friends as well as colleagues.
Trains, buses and cars take workers from both cities in both directions every day. Relationships and friendships have been forged with plenty living in the ‘wrong’ city or somewhere in between.
I worked in the city for a long time. I passed that Arena so many times, going to work and coming from work, every working day for years. And like so many from this region and beyond I’ve been to it many times, for concerts and events. The bombing happened in Manchester but it has affected people all over the country.
No one with a heart can have failed to have been hurt by the atrocity that unfolded on steps and streets so many of us have walked.
Could it have been us? Our families? Our kids?
So easily.
We are deeply saddened by the terrible events in Manchester last night. Our thoughts and hopes are with all those affected.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 23, 2017
As usual, the minority of extremists are in evidence. Using a tragedy to push political statements and baffling conspiracy theories while distraught parents still search for definitive news about their children. Professional trolls are also doing their bit to steer emotions in the wrong direction. They are irrelevant.
There’s understandable anger. Understandable sadness. And for many an understandable frustration at not being able to somehow help, or make a difference.
‘Hating’ Manchester has never sounded so absurd. And that there is so much love from all around is at least one bright spot in the darkest of times.
The Merseyside taxi drivers that headed for the area of the bombing without second thought to help ferry people home did so to help fellow human beings in need. The people in Liverpool that have paid their respects to a city 35 miles away have done so because it’s a shocking human tragedy so close to home; one with very few degrees of separation.
Emotional here in Williamson Square. So much love being sent from Liverpool to Manchester tonight ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qUUdZssGFF
— Becky Davis (@Becky_Davis) May 23, 2017
In the aftermath everyone seems to know someone. Mums and daughters who went to share a great night together. Sisters who went for a dance and a sing. Out of place dads putting quality time with a daughter ahead of any notion of cool.
All of those ‘rules’ we tie ourselves up in; all of those prejudices and judgements built on nothing more than geographical distance and sporting rivalry.
Bullshit.
We’re all humans. All so different, all so the same. It’s all so random that it was ‘them’. It just so randomly could have been ‘us’.
Rest in peace. Stay strong, Manchester.
If you’re in a position to help: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/westandtogethermanchester
A ‘tragedy’ is an earth quake, a car accident or a natural death at a young age. This was a deliberate terrorist attack on the ‘kuffar’ –
Mostly teenage girls in this instance – and thus a despicable outrage by a religious extremist. You’ve managed to completely underplay the event and yet make it seem that Liverpudlians were somehow unconcerned because it happened in a different part of England. Very weird article.
You’ve spectacularly missed the point. Very weird comment. A crime can still be a tragedy.
Thats the exact opposite that he was pointing out, you moron
I don’t actually think it is possible to completely misread an article any more than you have with this one, James.
Very weird comment more like. What a negative outlook you have, James.
I just also wanted to add that I’d rather we used words like ‘tragedy’ than words like ‘event’. By all accounts this terrorist was known to police so was most likely already a criminal. A criminal who latched onto an extremist terrorist ideology because in his eyes and mind it gave him a platform to be bigger than what he is. Let’s not indulge him. And let’s not use the terrorists’ medieval words that give this horrific crime the appearance of some exotic fantastical event. It’s terrorism, and a despicable crime, and a tragedy. And we’re all sad and angry and worried and heartbroken, James. Nothing in this article says otherwise. I can’t imagine it’s easy for writers to write about this topic, trying to convey the sadness and anger and sense of community while not giving the terrorists what they want, but I think Gareth has done ok here.
Don’t be that guy, mate.
You utter bell!
Sound City the week after was so emotional. Steve rotheram and Andy Burnham held a minute silence at around 10pm. (A lot of bevvies in) Not a sound. A moment I’ll never forget
You echo my feelings entirely Robbo. Excellent, heartfelt article. I found myself yesterday having a reality check because all I thought about for weeks was “would we finish top 4”. Puts everything into stark perspective. Thoughts go out to everyone who is affected by this tragedy.
James – fuck off mate
James. Wind your neck in.
Well said Robbo, from start to finish. Can only agree with every word.
James, poor lad you are clearly uneducated …..think you need a 10 year old to read the article and explain it for you.
I pity you.
As a Dad of an 9 year old girl I can only but echo what you have written Robbo. A horrible horrible event for all parents, for all humans. So sad. United in humanity and in horror. God bless the relatives and friends of those murdered and maimed by that vicious lunatic.
Beautiful words from a scouser I work in Liverpool a lot so I know how you must feel, attended many vigils for hillsborough at the town hall when I worked on there, we are alike, brilliant comparisons, still obviously hate you on match days just like you do us, everyone ignore James comment, obviously he’s clueless, lovely story and lovely to hear you’re all thinking of Manchester at this really weird time, never thought I’d see the day we’d have a suicide bomber in Manchester.
Absolutely fantastic article, spot on. Don’t even rise to James folks – idiotic.
Thank you for the great article. In these dark hours, we might feel we are “small”,”powerless” and “irrelevant”.But if we stand together we can change things.one at time,day by day.it wont be easy but we owe it to ourselves,our children and those who are not fortunate enough to walk the earth.
It always hits me when colour of skin, nationality or supporting club makes people forget what really matters.the pain,the innocent lives have no colour,country or club.
Let s try to help all affected, protect children and people everywhere and stop that moron who preaches hate.in our daily ordinary life.We will stand united.
RIP to all the innocent lives and prayers for all affected.
James, please reread it mate.. then review you’re comments… it’s a deeply touching article if you grasp the content.
Manchester will not wilt ..but it’s weeping at the moment. Awfully sad, so much loss for nothing but the hateful and ignorant mindset of a soulless being.
Well written article. Spot on in every respect. I was hoping TAW would produce such a piece.
Heartbreaking tragedy. Football pales onto insignificance.
I’ve been lurking here for a year but never commented yet.
I live in Old Trafford, and woke up to terrible news yesterday, so legged it out to help find kids who were still missing (found out from social media), not giving a 2nd thought to which T-Shirt I had thrown on.
So I was cycling between Mcr Royal Infirmary & City’s ground, which had been opened for families to base themselves from, with a list of family members to find. We got involved in other ways after finding out 1 story was fake. But it’s not about me & what I did, point is, people were surprised to see I was wearing a bright red T-shirt with YNWA across the front.
So next time you feel like calling someone online a Manc for not agreeing with you, have a think eh ? That is all, for now, I’ll get involved when I can afford subscription.
Keep up the good work guys.
Love the place
Love the Quarter
Love the Roses
Love the Gallaghers
Love the work
Love the sardonic wit
Love the archaic robber jokes
Love the accent
Love the Village
Love the Printworks
Love the sun at Shambles Square
Love the walk across Piccadilly
Love the Premier Inn Victoria
Love Chinatown
Love the chicken salad at Zorbas
Love the beef curry at Wings
Love the Apollo
Love the Christmas markets
Love the people
Love the friends
Love the fucking Chickentown
Love the respect
Hate United
Is right Gareth.
Great piece Gareth.
James – you’re a crank mate.
James – give your head a wobble
James, please try to think of the tragic comment you’ve made. I’ve felt a deep compassion for the victim even from this remote place. May God help Manchester citizens to strengthen their unity to help those who suffer from the blast.
Gareth, well put. Well said. Thanks for writing for all- including the illiterate.
James- your misinterpretation was quite the opposite to what Gareth was saying.
Reread. Review. Retract.
Restore your dignity, I’d suggest.
To Gary Moss.
Love your line “Love the archaic robber jokes.” Very funny (for a Scouser.) Don’t make ’em meself, not comfortable with them. Beautiful finish (I’m a pre and post Mou United fan.)
And ‘Amen’ to the Gareth’s article.
I’m a home and away United fan who at one time or other has enjoyed living in Birkenhead, Wavertree and Walton and am really happy, but not surprised that people on Merseyside reacted in such a kind and generous way to the Arena atrocity. Gareth Roberts’ article is a heartwarming piece indeed. Events in London since only reinforce how important it is that we all keep keeping on together. What happened at Victoria Station is so far beyond match day disputes, however much we might enjoy them at that time, but it’s still great to hear that we all feel the same, however obvious should be. It’s also reassuring to hear the likes of Gary Moss and his beautifully crafted words (even if he should have run that last line 20 times.)