A few weeks ago, Nottingham Forest played Liverpool in the FA cup.
It was the first time in 23 years we had played each other and while the recent history of both clubs could mot be further apart, seeing the, both acknowledge their old rivalry – when they ruled Europe – was something special to see.
Liverpool started it with this magnificent video.
Watching it was very moving to me.
Not just because it takes me back to my childhood, but it takes me back to matches I actually attended.
With my Dad and friends.
Special times.
Memories of my youth, my home, my family.
And then Forest did something that made me incredibly proud.
To honour the 97 Liverpool fans who tragically died at Hillsborough – when Liverpool again played Forest – they did this.
With all the shit going on in the World at the moment, seeing old enemies respect each other before competing against each other was something wonderful to see.
Even though we lost 0-1 and our roof suddenly started leaking as there was a huge storm in Auckland while the match was on … it was still a welcome distraction from the feeling of fear that has permeated the globe thanks to the ego of old, rich, toxic, white politicians.
So thank you to Liverpool for the moment and the memories [again] and thank you to Nottingham Forest for letting me believe that even in the worst of times, there’s a chance for something special to come out the other side.
Come on you reds.