Originally Posted by alancracker:
“I see Phil Scraton has turned down an OBE.
Not sure what I think - at the end of the day I think you have to say if that is what his conscience told him to do then we have to support it. He is clearly very much a man of principle and I think that should always be admired. I must say that I have been advocating him getting an award for years as the work he has done for the last 27 years has been the cornerstone of the fight for justice - in fact in my eyes it should be Sir Phil Scraton when I look at those who have been given knighthoods and have done far less. For those who do not know him read his book Hillsborough the truth or if you are not a reader watch the BBC documentary after the revised inquests in April where he was a major contributor. to see the calibre of the man.
In some ways tho I think him refusing the honour could give LFCs critics ammunition to have a go at JFT96, the city and the club in general. They would be wrong to do so of course, but in some ways it is a battle us fans would prefer not to be fighting - as we may get labelled as left wing extremists anti the queen ...etc and that is far from fair - but it would be hard to convince the type of people who would put up such arguments of this. So part of me thinks why did you just not take the OBE and grin and bear it Phil!! - to me being put up for and accepted for it indicates that the country is now with us on the side of the 96 and that is worth celebrating.
So I am a bit ton over it all - anyone else have any opinions?”
I wouldn't worry about it. The people who'd say those things are always going to find something to say. They'll find some way to criticise and belittle. If not this then they'd criticise him for receiving one, for selling out, or whatever else they can think of. I believe Margaret Aspinall and Trevor Hicks have been criticise for accepting honours, being called sellouts. I don't agree with it, either.
I can understand why he or anyone would turn down honours from the Queen. I'm not anti-royalty, I'm pro-royalty, in fact, but I can understand when people aren't.
People who will criticise will criticise, regardless. They'll always find some angle. I wouldn't want anyone to make a decision based on potential criticism from people who'll criticise you no matter what, from people who don't matter. People who can't see past their petty football rivalries and feelings towards Liverpool and the people of Liverpool. I especially don't want people to feel pressured to go against their principles.
There are people who still think Liverpool fans are to blame for the Hillsborough disaster, people who just can't be reasoned with or educated. They'd rather use Heysel to score points (disrespecting the 39 in the process) rather than accept the truth, all because of the team the victims supported.
The fact that he has been offered one is good, anyway, he's been recognised for his contribution, though like you say he should've been offered a knighthood. He'll know he's appreciated by us and everyone connected.