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Hillsborough Voices: The Real Story Told by the People Themselves
The real story of the Hillsborough disaster, told by the people who were there.
'A teenage girl had her head twisted round facing me, and the side of her face was being forced up against my left arm. The pain in my arm was almost unbearable. – I feared it was simply going to snap under the pressure. All I could see of the girl was her face... her head was in a vice between my arm and the body of another man behind her... her face was being squeezed so tightly that it was being contorted. Her tear-filled eyes were just staring straight at me, pleading with me to help her.'
On April 15, 1989 the world witnessed one of the worst football disasters occur at the Hillsborough Stadium in 96 people were crushed to death and another 766 injured in what later was admitted to be caused by a shocking failure by police.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster The Voices of Hillsborough finally does justice to the memory of all those who died and for all those left behind. From the tragic events of the day to what unfolded in the hours, days and eventually years that followed, the book will interweave the voices of those who were there with the families and friends of those who died, and all those who have played key roles in the long search for the truth.
The author, Kevin Sampson, has a long history with Hillsborough. Not only was he there as a fan to witness the horror firsthand, he also helped organise the Hillsborough benefit concert at Anfield and has close connections with the justice campaign. He has conducted exhaustive and exclusive interviews both with people who have become familiar public figures and those who will be telling their heart-rending personal stories for the first time –to bring us the full story.
'A teenage girl had her head twisted round facing me, and the side of her face was being forced up against my left arm. The pain in my arm was almost unbearable. – I feared it was simply going to snap under the pressure. All I could see of the girl was her face... her head was in a vice between my arm and the body of another man behind her... her face was being squeezed so tightly that it was being contorted. Her tear-filled eyes were just staring straight at me, pleading with me to help her.'
On April 15, 1989 the world witnessed one of the worst football disasters occur at the Hillsborough Stadium in 96 people were crushed to death and another 766 injured in what later was admitted to be caused by a shocking failure by police.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster The Voices of Hillsborough finally does justice to the memory of all those who died and for all those left behind. From the tragic events of the day to what unfolded in the hours, days and eventually years that followed, the book will interweave the voices of those who were there with the families and friends of those who died, and all those who have played key roles in the long search for the truth.
The author, Kevin Sampson, has a long history with Hillsborough. Not only was he there as a fan to witness the horror firsthand, he also helped organise the Hillsborough benefit concert at Anfield and has close connections with the justice campaign. He has conducted exhaustive and exclusive interviews both with people who have become familiar public figures and those who will be telling their heart-rending personal stories for the first time –to bring us the full story.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published March 27, 2014
25 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Sampson
29 books46 followersKevin Sampson is the author of seven novels - Awaydays, Powder, Leisure, Outlaws, Clubland, Freshers and most recently, Stars are Stars - and a work of non-fiction, Extra Time. He lives and works in Liverpool.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 4, 2019
This is not a pleasant read for anyone, but for fellow football fans especially. It should not be. This book takes you through what happened, what led to the death of 96 people and the following cover-up carried out by the police and the authorities.
It also took me through intense and grim rage, hopelessness and thorough doubt in the authorities.
The worst part is that it's still absolutely possible to happen again, to be covered up again, even decades later.
I'd recommend reading this book if you're interested in a thorough summary of what lengths the families and the supporters of Justice for the 96 had to go to finally get at least the verdict that it was not the fans causing this tragedy, but utter failure on the side of the authorities. It still will have an impact on the reader, even if the reader was born many years later.
It also took me through intense and grim rage, hopelessness and thorough doubt in the authorities.
The worst part is that it's still absolutely possible to happen again, to be covered up again, even decades later.
I'd recommend reading this book if you're interested in a thorough summary of what lengths the families and the supporters of Justice for the 96 had to go to finally get at least the verdict that it was not the fans causing this tragedy, but utter failure on the side of the authorities. It still will have an impact on the reader, even if the reader was born many years later.
January 11, 2022
No matter how much you think you know about Hillsborough, there is always some detail, an eye opening account that is new information to you. I knew of most of the people who give their account in this book but a lot of the details I had no idea about and if I was angry before on behalf of the families and the survivors, I am livid now.
The way those poor people were treated was appalling from the start but the dignity they showed was incredible and after far too long they finally got the truth they deserved from the start - 97 people were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough due to a catalogue of failures from the people we’re supposed to trust to keep us safe at big events like football matches.
The fact that nobody has ever, or now will ever, be held accountable for the deaths of those people and the unbelievable trauma and hurt that was caused to so many after it is an absolute disgrace.
Everybody who still doesn’t know the truth about Hillsborough or believes it was the fans fault needs to read this.
The fans were exonerated. 97 people were UNLAWFULLY KILLED. It was not an accident.
#JFT97
#YNWA
HillsboroughLawNow
The way those poor people were treated was appalling from the start but the dignity they showed was incredible and after far too long they finally got the truth they deserved from the start - 97 people were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough due to a catalogue of failures from the people we’re supposed to trust to keep us safe at big events like football matches.
The fact that nobody has ever, or now will ever, be held accountable for the deaths of those people and the unbelievable trauma and hurt that was caused to so many after it is an absolute disgrace.
Everybody who still doesn’t know the truth about Hillsborough or believes it was the fans fault needs to read this.
The fans were exonerated. 97 people were UNLAWFULLY KILLED. It was not an accident.
#JFT97
#YNWA
HillsboroughLawNow
March 18, 2018
This book is so important . It choked me on several occasions and as a red with friends who were there I already half knew what was coming its heartbreaking. But that said I cannot stress enough just how strongly I believe everybody in this country, regardless of whether they like football or not, needs to read this. Because people who aren't interested in Liverpool or are rivals think "stop crying and get over it" but they honestly largely haven't got a clue how deep the corruption runs and if they did they'd understand. Take the LFC and the fact they're scousers out of it and just read it . They did this in modern day Britain to people just like you and families just like yours and it should absolutely terrify you . This should be on the curriculum the fellas right this cannot be allowed to just be forgotten . ❤
December 12, 2016
Kevin Sampson introduces the book and his interviews with a variety of people tell the story from 1989 to today. There are familiar voices like Peter Hooton, Damian Kavanagh and Anne Williams, and lesser known voices (to me) from Liverpool and beyond - including Forest fan and author Danny Rhodes.
Thought I was reasonable well-read on the subject but still found things I had not picked up on before such as the treatment of Sheila Coleman, being broken in to and having her phone tapped.
A dark read, of course, but with warmth.
Thought I was reasonable well-read on the subject but still found things I had not picked up on before such as the treatment of Sheila Coleman, being broken in to and having her phone tapped.
A dark read, of course, but with warmth.
July 31, 2017
I'm a huge Liverpool fan and I remember this disaster. Deeply moving and so emotional
March 23, 2018
I wanted to read this book for a long time as I remember the tragedy surrounding Hillsborough when I was little and followed the families journey along the years trying so hard to obtain some sort of justice for their loved ones. The book didn't disappoint. It was raw, moving, honest , detailed and written by survivors ,family members left behind and players on the Liverpool team. It was a complete eye opener about what really happened on that fateful day . I completely admire all of those concerned in the long fight for justice . The book is well written and does exactly what the title suggests, allows you to listen to The Hillsborough Voices . I dare anyone not to be moved by what they read .
March 1, 2018
Never have there been a book in recent times that incites this much emotion in me, Hillsborough Voices is a book that contains heart wrenching accounts of those that are friends or families of the victims. I always knew Hillsborough disaster was a devastating event, but I never knew the extent of it; the poor decisions, the cover up, the events leading up and after the incident, the injustice that the poor people had to go through. I had to stop reading from time to time to compose myself, nonetheless, this is a must read for everyone that would like to know what Hillsborough disaster is about on a personal level. YNWA
August 16, 2018
An excellent collection of voices, emotions, and reflections, well structured and without any drama or hysteria, in spite of the terrible fate the survivors or families of the victims suffered. An extraordinary insight into what it means if you have to fight for recognition, truth and justice for over 25 years, knowing that no matter what you‘ll never get your previous life back.
October 11, 2020
5stars
Eyewitness accounts in their own words of the tragedy of Hillsborough. It deals with the day of the match, the aftermath and the fight for the truth and justice. A very moving book and one that should be read by anyone wanting to know the truth about the events of Hillsborough.
Eyewitness accounts in their own words of the tragedy of Hillsborough. It deals with the day of the match, the aftermath and the fight for the truth and justice. A very moving book and one that should be read by anyone wanting to know the truth about the events of Hillsborough.
May 19, 2025
Nobody should leave home for a football match and not return. It’s now just over 36 years ago since the Hillsborough Disaster. It was, and remains the worst football disaster in history. 94 people died on the day, one a few days later, the 96th dying in 1993 (with the 97th dying in 2021) and over 750 were injured. It was later admitted that police failures exacerbated the incident. The mere fact it took so long to have the inquests reopened (2014-16) is quite frankly abhorrent. As a football fan, you cannot help but be moved at the treatment of the families to get some sort of justice, and it has to be said, but for the Anne Williams and the members of HJC of the world, and for me Andy Burnham (& Maria Eagle too )- alongside many more who made a pledge at the 20th anniversary of Hillsborough - they may never have got there. It’s inconceivable that people can be treated in such a shocking manner, but they were.
Since the book was written, new inquests record that those who died were unlawfully killed. It’s justice of a sort, but I’m not entirely sure justice in the full sense of the word can ever be achieved in this case.
Written by someone who was there on that fateful day, the book remembers those who died and those left behind. The narrative of those who were present and survived, is so powerful. I’ve read a lot about the subject, watched documentaries and dramas, but none of that prepares you for the words of these people. It must have been an ordeal for them to relive the nightmare to help Sampson put this book together, my heart goes out to them and thank them for being prepared to be interviewed for it. It’s a truly exceptional book. I read large swathes of it through misty eyes, as I am sure anyone else who has read the book did too. Be under no illusions it’s not an easy read, but it is a captivating one.
Since the book was written, new inquests record that those who died were unlawfully killed. It’s justice of a sort, but I’m not entirely sure justice in the full sense of the word can ever be achieved in this case.
Written by someone who was there on that fateful day, the book remembers those who died and those left behind. The narrative of those who were present and survived, is so powerful. I’ve read a lot about the subject, watched documentaries and dramas, but none of that prepares you for the words of these people. It must have been an ordeal for them to relive the nightmare to help Sampson put this book together, my heart goes out to them and thank them for being prepared to be interviewed for it. It’s a truly exceptional book. I read large swathes of it through misty eyes, as I am sure anyone else who has read the book did too. Be under no illusions it’s not an easy read, but it is a captivating one.
February 19, 2022
ESTABLISHMENT - SELF PRESENTATION SOCIETY?
This book should be read by all that believe that the establishment is there to protect us ordinary people. The Establishment is a Self Preservation Society. This account of how it the people of Liverpool is extraordinary. Hillsborough had a knock on effect on many lives. This book is a brilliant account of some of them.
When the Establishment tried to hoodwink a community, with the people of Liverpool, they picked the wrong one.
An excellent account of the Hillsborough story, and the people of Liverpool's resilient fight to get to the truth.
This book should be read by all that believe that the establishment is there to protect us ordinary people. The Establishment is a Self Preservation Society. This account of how it the people of Liverpool is extraordinary. Hillsborough had a knock on effect on many lives. This book is a brilliant account of some of them.
When the Establishment tried to hoodwink a community, with the people of Liverpool, they picked the wrong one.
An excellent account of the Hillsborough story, and the people of Liverpool's resilient fight to get to the truth.
March 8, 2023
Not an easy read- how could it be I often wonder if any of those police officers and journalists who spent years allowing the fans to shoulder the blame ever lose a wink of sleep I suspec not How I admire those brave relatives who never gave up 34 years and not one of those respi Sible has ever served a day in prison As Metalicca put it, Sad but true.....
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August 24, 2019The Hillsborough crush is a truly heartbreaking event that has been beautifully discussed and explained in this wonderful collection of real voices sharing their very real stories. It's a must read for all who like knowing the truth.
June 3, 2017
Detailed account of what happened before during and after, as told by people involved. I've read various 'voices' before but this is the 1st from an event that happened in my lifetime.
May 29, 2018
Heartbreaking
Amazingly well written book about an event that should never have happened there honesty is a true inspiration and speaks volumes
Amazingly well written book about an event that should never have happened there honesty is a true inspiration and speaks volumes
February 24, 2021
As expected, emotional, highly charged account of Hillsborough from families and survivors. Heartwrenching accounts followed by heartbreaking struggles to get the truth acknowledged.
May 15, 2021
Compelling
This book is an emotional account of the day of the disaster and a riveting journey to get truth and justice for the victims and their families. Compelling read.
This book is an emotional account of the day of the disaster and a riveting journey to get truth and justice for the victims and their families. Compelling read.
June 29, 2016
Heartbreaking Read!
March 30, 2017
Emotional read about what the poor families and survivors had to endure for over 25 years ..We all knew the fans weren't to blame all along since 1989 so why did the establishment try to cover up the mistakes made by SYP and the continual lies after this devastating day for so many...JUSTICE FOR THE 96 AND ALL SURVIVORS..YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE
April 17, 2017
Fans telling their story of the day and afterwards of the Hillsborough Disaster.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews