taken from raotl: Empty seats tribute to Hillsborough Plan to honour dead at new Liverpool stadium Exclusive by Jeff Pickett 21/08/2007 The 96 Liverpool fans killed in the Hillsborough disaster may have seats left empty for ever in their memory at the club's new home. Kop chiefs are considering the poignant tribute when their £300million Stanley Park stadium opens in 2010. The plan has been enthusiastically backed by relatives of the 96 killed in English football's worst tragedy. Phil Hammond, who lost son Phillip, 14, said: "It sounds like a good idea. It's really good of the club to be considering this. "Hopefully the 96 seats will be in the shape of the number 96 so it really stands out from above." AdvertisementThe Premiership giants said it was one of a number of tributes they were mulling over ahead of the move to the 80,000-seater ground. Club spokesman Ian Cotton said: "We're aware of the suggestions being made but nothing has been decided. "The club is considering the proposal very carefully and will make a decision in due course." A memorial at their current Anfield home listing the victims will be moved to the new site. The 96 were crushed on terraces during an FA Cup semi-final at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium. The tragedy led to the introduction of all-seater grounds. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topsto...-seats-tribute-to-hillsborough-89520-19665741
I was wondering would they be grouped together on the Kop or spread around the ground in groups of 24 and whilst a nice thought was wondering would it really be noticed (could just imagine ignoramouses.....particularly the s*n reading Irish just over on the lash sitting in them). Then I read about the idea of having the empty seats in the shape of 96 and thought now THAT makes a lot more sense. After the debacle over playing against Blackburn last year, which plenty don't forgive Parry for, way before the further Athens debacle (in that it took him so long to even request the move, it could be easily factored into the initial league draw and Blackburn had no problem in moving the fixture at all and seemed to be puzzled they weren't asked sooner) after this has been suggested if it doesn't happen there'll be major accusations of greed. I could see variations on it though like having the 96 seats set aside for local school kids for free, picking a school for each game a next generation type spin on it, or for the victim's families etc.
Thats the best idea for a tribute I've ever heard and even better if its put in the shape of a 96. Looking at the stadium plans, there are a number of open corners at the end of the main stands - which I presume are meant for expansion in the future. Would it not be an even better idea to put the seats in one of these corners in the shape of a 96, facing the cameras for every game so that nobody ever forgets?
If its solely from the club then - fair play to them. However many of the victims families might see it as too little too late. - if its something thats going to be hijacked by the RTK ultras then forget about it.
I'm not in favour of leaving them empty, people would still sit in them, and as mentioned on RAWK, it might hamper the atmosphere around it. Better idea is to give the seats to young kids, local schools etc, as mentioned above. I thought having the section in the shape of the justice/eternal flame, and colour the seats yellow/orange etc would make them stand out nicely when the ground is empty or for the TV pics before the gound starts filling up before a game. Whatever happens, it's a nice idea.
Funny how this idea has been shot down on RAWK but loved up here, is it because Irish fans don't want to say anything that might be controversial? Its a morbid god awful idea to leave 96 empty seats, better suggestions have been a 96/flame (like adidas) in seat colours, 96 beams of light, 96 seats for the community, a symbolic 96th row in the kop( 95 scheduled at present), or a permanent flame in the stadium.
A bit harsh to make such a general statement but thats your choice ! there are people non irish by the way on otk some for the idea and some against so its down to personal choice really !
how about donating the 96 Seats to a Fund for the Families or to the HJC for the Lifetime of the Stadium? 96 x cost of each Seat x number of Games in a Season = a lot of Money....... on last Season's figures alone you'd be talking just under £100,000. a drop in the Ocean for the Club but a great Gesture for the Families. they could still dot Plaques on various Seats around the Stadium with one of the 96 Names on each Seat
Nice idea, whatever they decide on I hope its a big, public, visible gesture so the 96 will never be forgotten
I agreed with the initial sentiments of the RTK campaign but as time as progressed I have become less and less enamoured by the ethics and actions of this group. I, like many others, strongly dislike the manner in which they have linked themselves to the Justice campaign. The 2 campaigns should be kept completely independent. I can elaborate further on why I dislike this group but I will leave at that for the moment.