The overwhelming support from the blue side of Liverpool has cemented the notion that, although Hillsborough is an almighty heartache for Liverpool fans in particular, justice would mean vindication for the whole city. Everton’s poignant tribute on Monday signifies that the fight for justice is not just for Liverpool Football Club, but also for the city’s civilians.
As The Hollies reverberated around Goodison Park on Monday, the most illustrious adage echoed “he ain’t heavy… he’s my brother”; it seems a pertinent phrase to describe Liverpool at that moment. Often scorned as a city dwelling in ‘self-pity’, the two football clubs have brushed that notion off, instead, supplanting it with feelings of ‘courage’ and ‘resilience’.
To me, another prominent line from 'He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother' is the quote that reads, “His welfare is of my concern, no burden is he to bear”. It seems the song was purposefully made for such a passionate occasion.
Nothing has unified the city more than the fight for justice over the harrowing Hillsborough travesty. Often segregated into the royal blue of Everton or the dashing red of Liverpool, people amalgamated as the battle to bring justice for Hillsborough is far superior than Everton Football Club or Liverpool Football Club themselves; it is rather a conflict to bring candor and justice to light for the entire city.
Everton’s standing of being a ‘peoples club’ may be ridiculed by some, but you’d struggle to find a point when it’s been so apposite. They may be Liverpool’s perpetual foe, but Everton’s respectable and compassionate stand over the past weeks is nothing short of laudable.
The solidarity from across Stanley Park will be profoundly appreciated at Anfield. Monday’s encounter with Newcastle United saw Everton consolidate all their showings of compassion. Photographs of Hillsborough victims ran in sequence across the screen as a child bearing a Liverpool kit, together with another child in an Everton kit, led the sides out. A moving act, coupled with the Everton ballboys’ shirts bearing 96 on the back; Everton Football Club have beset themselves with reverence.
There is a strong sentiment of amity between Liverpudlians - red or blue - at this solemn time, and a sense that the unity shown and felt is almost incomparable throughout the world. Each has the hope that, as a city, Liverpool will flow into the sea of justice on account of the undying fortitude and commitment of its people.
When Labour MP for Leigh, Andy Burnham stated: “Liverpool has had a cloud over it for 23 years”, you would be mistaken to quarrel his frankness. It is true. It is not just Liverpool Football Club that has borne that encumber, but the city itself. Time for the potent football rivalry to step aside and let the sense of brotherhood reside.
When all's said and done, Liverpool and Everton are brothers; divided by just two colours, but unified by their abiding and immense love of football.
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