Eddie Howe addresses Hillsborough findings after Newcastle United fan distress

“We owed it to our supporters to push to reveal the findings.”
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Eddie Howe has addressed Sheffield City Council’s report on the distress experienced by Newcastle fans at Hillsborough earlier this year.

Before Newcastle United’s third round FA Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday in January, there were reports significant overcrowding in the Leppings Lane end- the site of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.

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A review was held between the council and Sheffield Wednesday following the incident, however the findings were only made public this week after NUFC lodged a freedom of information request.

REVIEW: Safety measures at Hillsborough have been looked at in light of complaints after this year's FA Cup third-round tieREVIEW: Safety measures at Hillsborough have been looked at in light of complaints after this year's FA Cup third-round tie
REVIEW: Safety measures at Hillsborough have been looked at in light of complaints after this year's FA Cup third-round tie

Speaking at today’s press conference, Howe said: “It was very important. We owed it to our supporters to push to reveal the findings.

“The main priority of any supporter going to a football match is their safety. If there is anything to learn from our experience at that game, to help supporters in the future, then it is a must.”

Newcastle United Supporters Trust gathered the accounts of 50 NUFC fans for the councils consdieration, with many saying they were given the wrong information as to where to access their seats, police and stewards were unresponsive to fans asking for information and children became distressed due to overcrowding.

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Despite these claims, the council found the away stand was not over capacity and there was no evidence of fan distress.

When asked why Newcastle pushed for the minutes of te meeting to be released, Howe said: “It’s hugely important. With those eye witness accounts, they should be encouraged to listen to that feedback because it is only the supporters that are living that experience.

“Anything that can help the long-term success and safety of match day experiences of the supporters is crucial, so we need to gather those findings and try to implement the changes that improves it.”

Newcastle United fans at Hillsborough.Newcastle United fans at Hillsborough.
Newcastle United fans at Hillsborough.

Howe was then asked about the force of the Magpies’ travelling fans, he explained: “It’s huge. It’s one of the first things, if not the first thing, you look for in an away ground when you step out onto the pitch is, ‘where are our supporters?’

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“I don’t go out for the warm-up so I’m coming out and seeing things first hand, ‘where are our supporters?’ And then you see the support and then you can hear them and it gives you an incredible feeling to know you’re supported wherever you go. Newcastle supporters home and away have been incredible for us and I know that will continue as long as we do our bit in giving our all for the shirt.”

Concluding, Howe admits he was distressed when he heard about the fan’s experiences at Hillsborough: “Especially with the history attached to the stadium. That was hugely concerning for me.

“The safety is the paramount importance.”

Following the investigation, Hillsborough’s away end capacity has been significantly reduced- the Upper West Stand to 2,400 (down from 3,200) and the Lower West Stand to 1,300 (down from 1,500).