By Michael Owen Liverpool and Everton fans have been united by the Hillsborough Independent Panel findings, now it’s time to further build on the relationship and work towards the development of the Football Quarter. When Sky Sports preview Everton v Liverpool on Sunday, they’ll remind the watching public that the clash of Merseyside’s two biggest clubs is know as ‘the friendly derby’. Liverpool, more than many other cities, is a city united. Under the reign of Margaret Thatcher the city dared to fight, putting up a united front and stood up to the unfair policies that were crippling the economy of a once buoyant city.They came together following the Hillsborough disaster. The Everton supporter s, many of whom lost friends and relatives, were the first to realise that what happened on that day in Sheffield went far beyond football rivalries. But as of recent it wouldn’t be unfair to argue the derby has lost some of its friendliness. On and off the pitch their have been incidents which have turned this much anticipated event somewhat sour.Red cards aren’t uncommon in local derbies; players with fire in their belly are always likely to act a little stupidly. Indeed many, particularly the neutrals, will argue that without the increased competitive edge a derby simply isn’t the same.But the March 2006 fixture at Anfield saw Steven Gerrard red carded early in the game, a clash in which himself, and Everton’s James Beattie, were supposed to be advertising the city’s bid for the European Capital of Culture title by wearing a special ‘08’ number on their back.Off the pitch there have been issues, too. Everton supporters were unhappy when Liverpool supporters presented a ‘Steaua Bucuresti 86’ banner in reference to the European Cup won by the Eastern Europe side when Everton were ineligible due to the Heysel ban on English clubs.Liverpool supporters have of course also had their grievances, particularly when it has come to the infamous ‘Murderers’ chant that has far too often been heard ringing out from the home end of Goodison Park or the away end at Anfield during recent derbies.But now the two teams have started to come back together. The findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel has seen both Liverpool and Everton fans rally behind the battle for justice for the 96 supporters of the disaster.A game earlier this season at Goodison Park reaffirmed the Blues commitment to the battle for justice, with two kids coming out before the game, alongside the players, one with the number nine and the other with the number six on the back of their Liverpool and Everton shirts.Aside from the official backing of the families fight by Everton FC the fans have also been particularly vocal in their support. During their League Cup defeat to Leeds at Elland Road the travelling support broke out into a chorus of ‘Justice for the 96’.Liverpool’s recent announcement that work is set to commence on the redevelopment of Anfield in the next couple of years also offers an opportunity to unite, with the much touted Football Quarter concept now having a realistic chance of coming to fruition. The idea, presented under the name of ‘All Together Now’ by Spirit of Shankly and Keep Everton in our City, would see the areas surrounding Anfield and Goodison, alongside the stadiums themselves, regenerated and turned into an area of sporting excellence.Sitting in the same area of the stadium as your local rivals may be why many outsiders consider the Merseyside derby, some may say it’s the fact the two clubs sit at the heart of the same area, with just Stanley Park to separate them.But the coming years offer immense possibilities for the relationship between the two football clubs. First they have the chance to work together to finally, after 23 years, ensure that the families finally get justice for the 96 relatives they lost at Hillsborough.Alongside that they can come together to redevelop not only their own stadiums but also the local area around them, turning what is currently one of the most dilapidated areas of Liverpool into a world renowned sporting club.That, for me, is a proper friendly derby.

A news article on 2012-10-26 18:05:00 from: The Anfield Opinion

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