In the last hour, I sent the following email to Alex Beam and his editors at the Boston Globe. Beam is the author of the article titled “Hardball in Liverpool” published in the Globe today and linked earlier on this site.
Hillsborough 7 December, 2010 18:45
From:
“Mr Julian Lee”
To: beam@globe.com
Cc: solomon@globe.com; baron@globe.com
Sir,
Your column of today titled Hardball in Liverpool is deeply offensive and further illustrates the ignorance in the wider public of one the worst disasters to hit soccer in the late 20th century. While I am not overly familiar with your work, a brief search has indicated that you write for maximum impact with complete disregard for the truth. Your main aim is to elicit a response. With the aforementioned article, I believe you have achieved this aim.
To call Hillsborough a riot is misguided at best but more accurately it is a complete fallacy and one of the many lies perpetuated to this day by the initial coverage in the now boycotted publication to which you refer in your column. Below I will give you a brief history of the Hillsborough disaster, and if you bother to read it, I hope you will understand why “their excitable internet fans” still agonise over this event.
On April 15th 1989, Liverpool FC were to meet Nottingham Forest FC in the semi-final of England’s premier knockout competition, the FA Cup. Sadly, this game passed into memory for all the wrong reasons. At precisely 15:06, 6 minutes after kick-off, referee Ray Lewis, was forced to abandon the match with spectators coming over the perimeter fencing in an attempt the escape the fatal crush.
Lord Justice Taylor was appointed to conduct an inquiry into the disaster. The Taylor Report named failure of police control as the primary cause of the disaster. While a crush was developing outside the ground, an inexperienced match day commander Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield ordered the opening of exit gate C. This merely transferred the crush from outside the ground to the even more confined spaces inside Hillsborough and in particular the central pens of the Lepping’s Lane terrace. I suggest you visit this site for further education on the Hillsborough disaster, http://www.contrast.org/hillsborough/history/index.shtm.
96 fans never came home that day. That’s 96 brothers, sisters, sons, cousins, daughters, and fathers, who did not return. Thousands of lives touched by tragedy and your crass, insensitive remarks have done little to alleviate their suffering which continues to this day.
Justice for the 96.
Regards,
Julian Lee
Liverpool fan.
I urge you all to email similar and of course better to the addresses above.
YNWA and JFT96
Julian
I too have emailed Mr. Beam over this atrocious piece of “journalism” pointing more than just the Hillsborough discrepancies.
“Dear Mr. Beam,
I feel compelled to email you with regards to the above mentioned piece of so-called “journalism”. As someone who studied media and journalism in college I am amazed that someone in this day and age could resort to such a biased, conceited and ridiculous piece of lazy journalism, firstly I would like to attract your attention to your comment “For now, the Red Sox PR machine is pumping out happynews about Henry’s visits to grotty Liverpool” how can you make such a statement over a city that you have more than likely never visited, a city whose music is held in such high regard by your culture (yes I am indeed referring to the Beatles) a city much better by comparison to the doldrums and hell holes in the states such as Compton, LA and the Bronx and Queens in NY, having spent all of my life within 20 miles of Liverpool, I know where I would much rather be, and that is here. Before you make yet another ill-judged statement, I live in the ever so often referred to “Posh Cheshire” whether the area I live in is “Posh” or not is by the by.
Secondly can I guide you to this point: “Even by the deranged standards of European soccer, Red fans are totally bonkers. Their excitable Internet fan sites are still agonizing over a 21-year-old soccer riot that killed 96 people” Please DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Hillsborough was a sporting disaster which has nigh on been accredited to the poor policing of the Sheffield Wednesday Hillsborough Stadium by South Yorkshire police officers, saying that it was a riot is like saying that Manchester United’s Munich air disaster was an incident with a glider where a few people got paper cuts or that 9/11 was an accident waiting to happen. Also on this point if you want to comment on “deranged European soccer fans” maybe you should do some investigative journalism and research and report on the Italian Ultras, fans willing to stab, maim and kill for their team – now that is “bonkers”.
Thirdly: “There are other worrisome facts: It’s impossible to imagine a high-gloss player-franchise, a la David Beckham and his appalling wife, moving to doggy Liverpool.” May I remind you that not so long ago we caused a coup in European football by snatching one of the most promising strikers in the world, luring him to a city he loves, and that also many ex-players, whether retired or still playing, still own properties or visit the city on many occasions, for example Real Madrid’s Midfield Maestro Xabi Alonso, who comes to the city whenever he can.
Finally I would like to point you to one of your late conclusions in your article and try to present it in a way you can appreciate. “I suspect my friend Steve Stark may have it correct, writing on the Atlantic magazine website: “Just like their precursors, these Americans will eventually be run out of town too, wondering what the hell they were thinking when they bought Liverpool FC.’’ I will have to disagree with Steve Stark and yourself. Imagine a club or franchise if you would prefer, with the history of the 49ers, the potential of the Saints and the passion and vocality of the Seahawks fans – surely for a sports investor this is an opportunity not to pass on. Whether it be for bragging rights over Hicks and Gillett or the commercial value of the club across the globe.
I would like to take this opportunity to ask that you write an official retraction of this story and also a heartfelt apology to the club, fans and city of Liverpool once you actually have a comprehensive knowledge of this great footballing institution.
Yours Expectantly,
Mike Lamb”
sadly short but i hope to educate him
Dear Mr Beam
I’m sure in the states you a highly respected journalist back home, however you seem to have made a few key mistakes in your recent article about liverpool football club, firstly questioning the sanity of our clubs supporters. Sport in Liverpool is held in very high esteem the club has a rich history and our passion is not looked down on by those in the sport but celebrated by other fans and players alike. Football is an international sport, the fans are by far the most dedicated fans on earth, and perhaps you should look at how that passion can unite people rather than focus on the intensity of it, as was seen in the world cup in South Africa.
Secondly I simply find it disgusting how you have assumed after what seems like doing very little research, that you assume that the events at Hillsborough were a riot, and that you seem to think that the lives of those 96 people are not worth mourning over even after these 21 years, it is not being excitable it’s being respectable to the fans who went to see their team play that day and never returned. The youngest of the victims was a 10 year old boy, relation to now Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who says “I play for Jon-Paul”. I expect that you wish for us to stop mourning like nothing happened, i’m sorry but i’m sure you’ll never forget 9/11 but we’ll never forget Hillsborough. Justice for the 96
Yours Faithfully Amrik Rana
This was my email to the Boston Globe:
Dear Boston Globe,
Today you printed an article that to put it mildly have enraged a lot of people. Not only in Liverpool but around the world.
It is unbelievable that Alex Beam uses the death of 96 people in a completely uncalled for rant about Liverpool fans.
Calling the accident in Hillsborough a riot, when it had nothing to do with a riot is is a disgrace that should be apologized asap.
This has nothing to do with fans of Liverpool, but with the families of the 96 people who got killed in a terrible accident.
When your journalists print articles, it would be advisable to actually read up on the history relating to the articles.
What the hell was he thinking?????
Regards
Jeppe Jeppesen
Denmark
I have e-mailed Beam and the Globe. I urge all Liverpool supporters to do the same.
My mail was a bit shorter but I hope it hurts:
Header: About Hillsborough and Liverpool FC
Dear Mr. Alex Beam.
Scousers (people from Liverpool) have a favorite insult they use when someone have said or done something unwise. Something outrageously idiotic. When that someone have redefined the epitome of stupidity.
That someone is, at the moment, You.
And the favorite insult is: “You are an absolute cock-juggling thundercunt”
And I concur.
That is all.
Done. I can’t imagine that it was a very smart move by this guy. In a country where we sue for everything this has to be a risky thing to be wrong on. All it will take is an angry lawyer who happens to be a Liverpool fan.
The subject of my email was ‘Your Life is about to become hell’
Alex Beam has embarked on a journey he will wish he never started. By now his address will be known. His mobile phone number will be distributed around the world. His computer is probably going to be hacked before the end of the day.
Liverpool FC is probably the most powerful club on the internet.
Alex Beam may have well opened a pork sausage factory in Mecca.
I suggest he educates himself and reads below and if his life is to be saved from the approaching abyss, makes a full apology to the victims and the families of the Hillsborough Disaster…..
I then copied and pasted the full Hillsborough findings.
They have now changed the webpage to read:
“Even by the deranged standards of European soccer, Red fans are totally bonkers. Their excitable Internet fan sites are still agonizing over a 21-year-old soccer stadium disaster that killed 96 people. (The original version of this story mischaracterized the event as a riot.) One website, Thisisanfield.com, is publishing yet another exhaustive history of the incident, and still actively promotes a boycott of Rupert Murdoch’s tabloid The Sun, two decades after the paper accused Liverpool fans of pickpocketing the corpses, and other outrages.”
As if changing it to disaster makes its sentiments any better. This is terrible I can’t even imagine what it must be like to meet a person with so little morals and values, I’m preparing my response and will post.
I would love to e-mail this asshole however most of the e-mail would be seen as ‘offensive’ as I wouldn’t trust myself to speak in a language more becoming to a woman! I feel sick after what was said. He needs to go to Anfield on the memeorial day, but then scratch that. He just isn’t worthy to walk on that hallowed ground!
Kept it short and sweet:
“Dear Mr Beam,
For an ‘award winning’ journalist your research is lazy, your angle uninformed, and you smack of ignorance.
You mention the furore and fallout of The Sun’s allegations, but your moronic diatribe is no different – and over 20 years late. You are laughable, nonsensical and at the very least, unoriginal.
I have Cc’d your editors in the hope that somebody at the Globe identifies that you are quite clearly lacking objectivity, empathy and a conscience. You know, basic social skills.
Maybe they could send you on a Media Ethics course or something. Better still, why not come and visit Liverpool and educate yourself before you spew your venom again. You could learn some humility and we could definitely help deflate that ego!
Don’t write about a sport or a city when you clearly know nothing about either!
Yours sincerely (look it up)
Phil Daley
Scouser and Liverpool supporter
(p.s. When can we expect yours and The Globe’s editors’ apologies? A disclaimer above the article doesn’t suffice I’m afraid.)
(p.p.s. The combover’s fooling no-one!)”
My email was a little shorter and more to the point than yours
Header:
Well Done!!
Body:
You’ve just made my list of “Biggest Cunts on our Planet”.
Congratulations, you are an asshole.
I too sent an e-mail hope it helps…
Beam you up Alex….
I have just read your disgusting foul tirade towards Liverpool FC and its fans. I particularly find your reference to The Hillsborough Disaster on 15th April 89 hurtful, fact less and pointless,
I am aware you may have underlying issues with the new owners of our club, whatever they may be and whatever your reasons for this article, let me remind you that 96 men, women and children lost their lives on that day, with many more families affected by this and articles like this are disrespectful and are painful reminders of how loved ones were lost.
May I also point out your comment on ‘Grotty Liverpool’, why the disrespect? Have you ever visited here? What gives you the right to put yourself, and your town on a higher pedestal that us. Maybe an inferiority complex? doggy Liverpool…?
“The few sane people I have talked to about Liverpool understand that these are early days for New England Sports Ventures and that meaningful changes probably won’t come until Liverpool’s season ends in May. None of those sane people are in Liverpool, however. Even by the deranged standards of European soccer, Red fans are totally bonkers.”
You are correct in saying we are bonkers, we are bonkers about our club and past tragedies such as Hillsborough and Heysel regardless of how long ago they were bring us all closer and no amount of flippancy from a self loving, rag writing self opinionated nonce is going to change that.
If you want sanity and conversations about football (or Soccer) please come over and chat to our well educated, knowledgeable fans who would oblige, rather than talking to “The few sane people I have talked to about Liverpool understand that these are early days for New England Sports Ventures and that meaningful changes probably won’t come until Liverpool’s season ends in May. None of those sane people are in Liverpool” Try actually speaking to someone our City, Red – or Blue for that matter, as this article offends the whole city and large parts of our country due to the horrific nature of it and the lies that were published in the aftermath..
Your research on this issue in terms of Hillsborough and Liverpool FC, Liverpool in general is shockingly sensationalist and may ultimately cost you your role as Chief Anti John Henry Spokesperson, as this is ultimately your agenda, you will feel the wrath of the reds fans..Your quote below confirms you hold an agenda..
“He comes across as bloodless and dispassionate, talking about soccer in the same breath as his auto racing interests and baseball — one management template for all. That kind of talk won’t sit well by the Mersey, believe me.”
You know nothing about Liverpool. Liverpool FC, John Henry Merseyside or England and bringing in disasters like Hillsborough is an absolute scandal for someone to point score or get one over on someone they don’t like, especially when the rag writer does not have the facts.
I really hope you get what is coming to you and you are not allowed to write any offensive bulls**t like this and offend anyone else like this again.
Please keep peoples pain and suffering away from your agendas against NESV as these people have been through enough in their lives.
One day we will get justice for these people and the pain will ease for them, until that day comes, articles like yours do nothing to dispel the fact that this was NOT a riot, or was it caused by fans, do your research properly as you would find it was Rupert Murdock’s Tabloid that started this rumour in the first place, something we never forgive regardless of timescale as your article demonstrates how difficult it was to quash this myth.
As a Boston Rag, your people in the communities would rather know what NESV have bought into rather than be fed with anti JH or Anti NESV propaganda and unfactual anecdotes of out towns, city and Football (soccer) Club
Justice for the 96, their families have never walked alone in the years since and will never walk alone in the years to come. Which is why I am proud to be a Scouser, and a Koppite!
If anything – we should be getting NESV to put pressure on the paper…they have much more money, power and influence and could probably get this total piece of scum fired…which is what I believe they should do…this sort of “journalism” is at best disgusting…it should not be tolerated in any way…these sorts have destroyed the image of the journalist…
Had a bit of a rant about it here: http://bit.ly/eEewXX
Dear Boston Globe
I could not quite believe it when I read stories about the Boston Globe, an internationally recognized newspaper, publishing stories which depicted the events of the Hillsborough disaster in a way completely lacking in decorum, insight, humility or intelligence. I logged onto the newspaper itself and did a search, I think I was even more shocked to find aged in the piece written by Alex Beam that the word “riot” had been replaced with “disaster” and yet the same distasteful sentiments were still there for all well minded people to see.
I cannot believe that such a well respected paper could allow something like this to be published. I will be interested to read how you expect to maintain any credibility, perhaps some education of basic human morals and decency would help. I would suggest that Alex Beam reads the names out of all names and ages of the people who lost their lives that day in front of his colleagues at the Boston Globe. I would like to know if they agree with his sentiments that all the people that needlessly lost lives that day deserve to simply be forgotten?
John Alfred Anderson aged 62
Colin Mark Ashcroft aged 19
James Gary Aspinall aged 18
Kester Roger Marcus Ball aged 16
Gerard Bernard Patrick Baron aged 67
Simon Bell aged 17
Barry Sidney Bennett aged 26
David John Benson aged 22
David William Birtle aged 22
Tony Bland aged 22
Paul David Brady aged 21
Andrew Mark Brookes aged 26
Carl Brown aged 18
David Steven Brown aged 25
Henry Thomas Burke aged 47
Peter Andrew Burkett aged 24
Paul William Carlile aged 19
Raymond Thomas Chapman aged 50
Gary Christopher Church aged 19
Joseph Clark aged 29
Paul Clark aged 18
Gary Collins aged 22
Stephen Paul Copoc aged 20
Tracey Elizabeth Cox aged 23
James Philip Delaney aged 19
Christopher Barry Devonside aged 18
Christopher Edwards aged 29
Vincent Michael Fitzsimmons aged 34
Thomas Steven Fox aged 21
Jon-Paul Gilhooley aged 10
Barry Glover aged 27
Ian Thomas Glover aged 20
Derrick George Godwin aged 24
Roy Harry Hamilton aged 34
Philip Hammond aged 14
Eric Hankin aged 33
Gary Harrison aged 27
Stephen Francis Harrison aged 31
Peter Andrew Harrison aged 15
David Hawley aged 39
James Robert Hennessy aged 29
Paul Anthony Hewitson aged 26
Carl Darren Hewitt aged 17
Nicholas Michael Hewitt aged 16
Sarah Louise Hicks aged 19
Victoria Jane Hicks aged 15
Gordon Rodney Horn aged 20
Arthur Horrocks aged 41
Thomas Howard aged 39
Thomas Anthony Howard aged 14
Eric George Hughes aged 42
Alan Johnston aged 29
Christine Anne Jones aged 27
Gary Philip Jones aged 18
Richard Jones aged 25
Nicholas Peter Joynes aged 27
Anthony Peter Kelly aged 29
Michael David Kelly aged 38
Carl David Lewis aged 18
David William Mather aged 19
Brian Christopher Mathews aged 38
Francis Joseph McAllister aged 27
John McBrien aged 18
Marion Hazel McCabe aged 21
Joseph Daniel McCarthy aged 21
Peter McDonnell aged 21
Alan McGlone aged 28
Keith McGrath aged 17
Paul Brian Murray aged 14
Lee Nicol aged 14
Stephen Francis O’Neill aged 17
Jonathon Owens aged 18
William Roy Pemberton aged 23
Carl William Rimmer aged 21
David George Rimmer aged 38
Graham John Roberts aged 24
Steven Joseph Robinson aged 17
Henry Charles Rogers aged 17
Colin Andrew Hugh William Sefton aged 23
Inger Shah aged 38
Paula Ann Smith aged 26
Adam Edward Spearritt aged 14
Philip John Steele aged 15
David Leonard Thomas aged 23
Patrik John Thompson aged 35
Peter Reuben Thompson aged 30
Stuart Paul William Thompson aged 17
Peter Francis Tootle aged 21
Christopher James Traynor aged 26
Martin Kevin Traynor aged 16
Kevin Tyrrell aged 15
Colin Wafer aged 19
Ian David Whelan aged 19
Martin Kenneth Wild aged 29
Kevin Daniel Williams aged 15
Graham John Wright aged 17
I cannot begin to express how very shocked and appalled I am at your “news”paper.
Chris
-The amount of names always gets me its scares me to think they could be thought of in this way.
Sir
I dont respond to people who dabble in schadenfreude to attain or provoke people.
But I feel its my duty to take the time to write this letter.
The death of a human being by any circumstances is tragic,but for 96 adults and kids
To suffer the similar faith is a diaster,Loved ones watched on as there kids and parents
Where crushed to death,parents feared for the loved one’s who would never return home
What you hope to have achieved from youre post, I do not know.
But I will strip away the Riot and the Soccer from youre article
And it boils down to the mocking of 96 deaths.
I know certain articles are wrote to provoke,and free speech
Is vital,But taste is compulsaroy and you lack either the morale
Fibre or common desency.
Youre article as done more damage to both youre paper and youre professionalism
Im no writer,and alot of my words maybe misspelled or poorly constructed
But every Liverpool fc supporter and soccer fan stands by me when I say
The 96 poor souls will never be forgotten
we should tweet one of the more well written posts on his twitter page: @globealexbeam.
To see his page google alex beam twitter
No need to insult him as that’s dropping to his standards…
sent to the editor of the Boston Globe (i’ll be emailing Beam myself when i get home)
To whom it may concern,
I suggest one Mr. Alex Beam check his facts before spouting off such ignorant, insensitive nonsense about 96 people who died under tragic circumstances.
One would assume that an influential publication such as the Boston Globe would have a far more stringent set of standards when it comes to journalistic integrity.
http://www.contrast.org/hillsborough/history/index.shtm
I’m no opponent of freedom of speech (far from it) but when it is done in such as crass, factually incorrect manner it’s absolutely deplorable.
Please make Mr. Beam aware that he has opened a can of worms that he very well may drown in.
Kind regards,
steven mcmillan
The grammar in Julian’s letter is horrible.
@Nick
Would you be so kind as to point out any grammatical errors I may have made? I will endeavour not to repeat these mistakes.
To everyone else,
Thank you all for emailing the Boston Globe. Hopefully we will receive a retraction of the offending article and an unreserved apology!
YNWA & JFT96
I emailed this fool earlier and got an arrogant response!
My subject line was: I know you won’t read this but…
I guess you were wrong.
James Brown
To
“beam@globe.com”
12/08/2010 09:52 cc
AM
Subject
I know you wont read this but….
Dear Mr Beam
Having recently read your horribly under researched article, which included
a defamatory paragraph on Liverpool and Liverpool FC’s fans, I felt
impelled to write to you and inform you of your hurtful and misguided
remarks.
The “riot” to which you refer, was one of the worst tragedies to befall
English football, or soccer as you will no doubt call it.
The events of that day have been captured and put into words by more
eloquent people than myself but essentially what happened at hillsborough
is 96 innocent football fans went to a football match and never came home,
many of whom where children and teenagers.
3 of my uncles where at hillsborough on that day and they all thankfully
made it home safe, unlike my 96 scouse brothers and sisters. Having been
only 5 at the time I don’t remember much, but I do remember the worry my
mum was going through, although I didn’t understand it at the time. I have
read a lot about this incident since and I would advise you to do the same.
Please buy yourself a copy of Phil scratons Hillsborough: The Truth. It has
all the information you will need to write a better researched article,
without offending millions of people in liverpool. It is available on
amazon, however if you don’t want to buy it I will gladly send you my copy!
I know all I need to know about what happened on that day and quite
obviously there is a greater need for other people to learn, with yourself
at the top of the list!
Also refer to the Taylor report, which summarises the investigation into
the hillsborough disaster and is free to view by anyone, this is where you
will find the cause was not down to “rioting fans”.
Yours sincerely
Disgusted and offended Scouser
Sorry I posted from my phone so it’s hard to understand.
his response was the bit that said “I guess you were wrong.”
Arrogance of the highest order, I have since replied asking for an apology to Liverpool and donation to HFSG!
you have opened a can of worms you dickhead.you have seen what happend to gillet and hicks.lets make this dickhead suffer i ask all liverpoolfans and right minded people to let your feelings be known to the boston rag and mr beam or is bean
alex beam direct phone number at the boston rag is 001 617 3309 have fun
I’m just curious, did anything ever come of this? Did he ever apologise?