New podcast series reveals anguish of Nottingham Forest fans at Hillsborough disaster
A new podcast series by local journalists in the East Midlands has told, for the first time, stories of the Hillsborough disaster through the eyes of Nottingham Forest fans.
The five-part series, called Hillsborough Unheard, is fronted by BBC Radio Nottingham presenter Sarah Julian.
97 fans Liverpool FC fans lost their lives as a result of events at Hillsborough in 1989, when the Reds were playing Nottingham Forest in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
For over 30 years, Liverpool fans have fought for justice after initially being accused by authorities of bringing the disaster upon themselves. Fresh inquests in the past decade blamed the police for what happened, and to this day, campaigners are still fighting for justice.
The BBC Nottingham series aims to give Forest fans at the stadium in Sheffield that day a chance to share their experiences and memories — many watched the disaster unfold in front of their eyes.
None of the 28,000 Forest fans in attendance died at Hillsborough but for many, the disaster played out in front of them and they remained silent witnesses.
According to the BBC, the series followed a compassionate social media message from a Liverpool supporter which went on to unlock decades of unspoken pain.
The first episode focuses on those 26 words, before going on to explore why Forest fans there have not spoken before, and in later episodes meets Liverpool fans who are fundraising to help Forest fans.
Writing on Twitter, Sarah said: “Thank you for all the responses to this series.
“It’s a story I’ve wanted to tell for years and I’m convinced it’s an important one to hear. Upsetting, of course, but also packed with the compassion and kindness of rival fans.”
