The Anfield memorial for the Hillsborough Fallen has been hit once again in an act of vandalism. The Dixie Dean memorial statue outside Everton FC's ground was also targeted. The Living Flame memorial, situated on Anfield Rd has become a shrine to those who died at Hillsborough, and there are always flowers and tributes from fans all over the World placed there. The attack happened in the run up to the recent local Derby game with Everton FC. The Dixie Dean statue is a shrine to the legendary Everton Player. We do not use the term 'shrine' lightly when mentioning these places.

Both the shrines were daubed or attacked with paint. The attack on Liverpool's memorial came, according to Liverpool FC "In the week Liverpool supporters marked the 14th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster", no mention is given of an exact time or even day to help people catch the culprits. The Police are noticeable by their absence in the Echo when you would hope they would have appealed for witnesses and given details however bare of the circumstances surrounding both attacks. A spokesman for Liverpool FC told the media "What happened is very very regrettable. As soon as it was reported that there was some paint on the Hillsborough memorial, we cleaned it up" What is not mentioned is that the last time this happened, Liverpool FC failed to properly clean up the memorial. Furthermore, talk of CCTV covering this priceless memorial seems to have been abandoned although a bereaved father John Glover pointed out the need after the previous attack. The cost of such a system is nothing compared to the emotional upset which Families survivors and fans have had to endure. Liverpool FC, who have made millions off the fans, cannot be bothered to fork out a couple of thousand to secure the most precious part of Anfield.

The Dixie Dean Attack happened, according to an Everton spokesman, "Hours before the game (the Liverpool v Everton game) shocked grounds men discovered the statue daubed with red paint. This is the second time that the Dixie dean statue has been attacked with red paint. The Club spokesman for Everton, a Mr Ross, claimed that "It would appear to us that this was an act of malicious vandalism rather than football related hooliganism" Whatever Everton say, it's difficult not to imagine someone has done this to willingly upset thousands of Everton fans. As it's happened twice and both times saw red paint being used, it is fair to assume that it is in some way related to football and that the persons responsible may well have been Liverpool 'fans'. It seems that both Liverpool FC and Everton FC are trying to underplay the rivalry and actual violence which has sprung up in recent years between Everton and Liverpool fans.

Both the attacks are a disgrace. They were an insult to tens of thousands of us on Merseyside, and most Everton and Liverpool fans would express shame that fellow 'fans' have possibly resorted to attacking these shrines. The Hillsborough attack is particularly nasty, this being the second time scum have thrown blue paint on the memorial. The first time it happened, Liverpool denied it was football related. However, the significance of blue paint and red paint being daubed on both respective shrines twice leaves little doubt that the underlying reason ARE football related. Whether it was football fan who done it is another matter.

Divide and Rule.

Liverpool and Everton fans share a unique situation in as much as they are as likely to live next door to each other. However, there are always a few who like to take the loyalty to a football club too far and believe it to be their duty to fight any opposing fan who wants to fight them. Both Liverpool and Everton have there own respective 'firms', and hopefully the older lads involved will now see that they need to exercise a certain amount of control over younger elements who may have no respect for both the Hillsborough shrine and the Dixie Dean shrine. It has to be said that a small minority of older Liverpool and Everton fans seem to fail to take onboard the need to address the situation. Whilst the fans fight each other, those who may have worried about a campaign for Justice (the establishment) can sit back satisfied that there are enough Reds and Blues to perpetuate the hooligan theory.

Divide and rule given a helping hand?

The two attacks on the Hillsborough memorial and the attacks on the Dixie Dean statue could well be designed to perpetuate the bad feeling between Liverpool and Everton fans. Apparently it worked as opposing fans were involved in a series of stand offs in Liverpool later that evening. It may well be a small minority involved in this, but they are messing up the work done by Hillsborough campaigners. The likes of John Glover who has always spoke of the need for Everton fans and Liverpool to unite on this issue could not believe Everton fans carried out the attack. "They aren't fans they're hooligans' he told the Liverpool Echo. Kirkby Times would just label them as SCUM, and we would say that it's doubtful that either Liverpool's hooligans or Everton's would be behind these attacks. We appeal for all Liverpool and Everton fans to unite on the issue of Hillsborough. If we don't, then we are playing into the hands of the powers that be. People out there are still trying to fight for Justice for the 96 and all those whose lives were wrecked by Hillsborough. They need people to help them fight for Justice, fighting each other will harm there cause.

Gerald Houlier's shame: Dedicates 2-1 victory to Families of the 96.

Gerald Houlier spoke in the Liverpool Echo and told us that "I dedicate this win to the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy of 1989" This throw away offering to the families is worthless and little more than LFC spindoctored nonsense. Houlier, touted as being some sort of socialist in the tradition of Bill Shankley, has so far said nothing whatsoever regarding Hillsborough which speaks of Justice. He dedicates a bad tempered football game, involving 2 sending's off, numerous bookings, a knob-head invading the pitch and two shrines being vandalised plus fighting between fans afterwards. He dedicates that to the families of the 96. Sorry Gerald, dedicating the victory is just an appallingly insensitive token effort. Instead of talk, why cannot Liverpool FC do as was suggested and fit a CCTV camera to protect the Hillsborough shrine from any further attacks? Dedicate a few quid to the cause instead of meaningless cheap throwaway comments and dedications.

If anyone has information regarding the attacks then pass them onto the Police. This is not grassing, the SCUM who committed this sacrilege need to be caught and made an example of.

Visit the excellent website of the Hillsborough justice Campaign to send your messages of support direct to the families and survivors.

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