Ferguson pens letter to United fans at Anfield

Saturday 22 September 2012

The first game at Anfield since the shocking truth about the cover-up that denied the victims of Hillsborough justice for so long was always going to be an occasion of great emotion.

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Steve Nailor

Yet the visitors are Manchester United and so they are accompanied by fears that grief and relief and a kind of celebration of the lives lost and the achievement of those left behind will be poisoned by the venom of an old feud.

Before the game, the captains, Steve Gerrard and Nemanja Vidic, will release 96 balloons in memory of those who died. The United fans who see that tribute will by then have read a letter from Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager of their club, which will be distributed as they enter the stadium. In it, he makes one final plea for a display of solidarity over a tragedy and its aftermath that transcends football and even the rivalry between these clubs. "Dear Supporter, the great support you gave the team here [at Anfield] last season has seen our allocation back up to near-full levels. I want you to continue that progress today."But today [Sunday] is about much more than not blocking gangways. Today is about thinking hard about what makes United the best club in the world."Our rivalry with Liverpool is based on a determination to come out on top – a wish to see us crowned the best against a team that held that honour for so long."It cannot and should never be based on personal hatred. Just 10 days ago, we heard the terrible, damning truth about the deaths of 96 fans who went to watch their team try and reach the FA Cup final and never came back."What happened to them should wake the conscience of everyone connected with the game."Our great club stands with our great neighbours Liverpool today to remember that loss and pay tribute to their campaign for justice. I know I can count on you to stand with us in the best traditions of the best fans in the game."Yours sincerely, Sir Alex Ferguson."Brendan Rodgers is the manager of Liverpool at a historic junction, and he spoke of the work that has gone in to quietening the fury that usually surrounds this fixture. Rodgers said: "There has been dialogue all week. There is respect in terms of the traditions of both clubs. We want this day to be remembered for the right reasons, and the footballing reasons."A lot of work has been done and, hopefully, Sunday will pass off peacefully and well and we can talk about the tributes and football."It is an emotionally charged game. I wouldn't tell Liverpool supporters how to behave. I know how they have behaved over many years has been fantastic."These are well-educated supporters who value humanity. I have no issues or no problems there, the message has been clear, and from Sir Alex as well, in relation to his supporters."I am sure once we pay the tributes to the families we can get on with the football."Kenny Dalglish, manager at the time of the disaster, is also expected to return to Anfield for the first time since his second spell in charge ended last May. Both he and Ferguson understand that the tributes will not last beyond the whistle."We should let the players get on with it," said Ferguson. "There is enough pressure on them. "We've given a lot of messages, so let the game go on."

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Ferguson pens letter to United fans at Anfield

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