Random Act of Kindness

I'm following an account on Twitter called "Capital of Kindness" and it has inspired me to write about an incident that happened to me.
It must have had a big impact as it happened almost 30 years ago when I was just 12 years old and I've never forgotten it.

In March 1984 Liverpool played Everton at Maine Road (the then home of Manchester City F.C.) in the Milk Cup Final Replay.  This was to be the first football match I'd ever been to so obviously was very excited.  I left Liverpool Lime Street on the Football Special with my 14 year old brother.  The proviso of us going to Manchester at such a young age was we were meeting our 19 year old brother who had travelled in the opposite direction from Sheffield.

The match ended in a 1 nil victory for the Reds so we were in good spirits as the 3 of us left the ground.  After taking us to the coach park, our elder brother left us as he had his own coach to catch.
What we witnessed then, I have never witnessed since.  Every coach we could see had all their windows smashed as fans, I'm guessing from both sides, climbed through in order not to be left behind.  Whether these coaches were heading to the train station or direct back to Liverpool, we weren't sure.  What we were sure about was that there was no way we were going to get on one of these coaches even if there was room.  It was pure chaos.

That's where this story really begins.  We started out on foot looking for the train station.  As we were in a strange city we started to follow other groups of supporters and really, hoped for the best.
After walking for what seemed like miles, we realised there were no fans in front of us and we were alone and lost.  For whatever reason, we made the decision to turn around and walk back the way we came.
Walking past some waste ground there was a group of lads who shouted at us to get out of the way.  As we ran they started throwing stones at one of the football coaches passing by.  It was at that point we realised we were in a hostile place.  Luckily they hadn't spotted my rolled up souvenir flag which was now shoved up the sleeve of my coat.  Our coats fastened all the way up to hide our scarves, we carried on walking.

By now it was getting late, probably around 11:00 pm but the road was very busy.  Still unsure of where we were going or how long it would take to get there, we flagged down a taxi purely to ask for directions.  We had no money, no phone (mobiles in 1984?) and running out of hope.  Random Act of Kindness (1) - knowing we had no money, the driver told us to get in and he would take us part of the way.  After he dropped us off and told us where to go, we gave our thanks and headed, now, in the right direction.

Not long after, another taxi stopped and asked us if we were going for the Football Special.  How he knew, we don't know.  Maybe by now I was carrying my flag again and he spotted it.  We said we were and - Random Act of Kindness (2) - he told us to get in as we would never make it in time.  Again we made it clear we had no money but it didn't matter.  We were soon at the train station.

Even standing in the queue we weren't sure if we would get on.  Rumours were going around that this was going to be the last Special and we were at the back of a very very long queue.  Not only did we get on but we had seats as well.  Not like the outbound train were we had to sit on the floor.

The train was due to finish it's run at Lime Street but made, if I remember this correctly, an unscheduled stop at Edge Hill.  As we only lived a 2 minute walk away we got off.  To our surprise there were our parents waiting for us.  I'm not sure how they knew the train was stopping off at Edge Hill, we were just glad they did.

There was talk of our mum writing to the local Manchester Newspapers to thank the two taxi drivers, like people often do in the Liverpool Echo.  Whether she did or not, I don't know.  I hope so.

This proves that although Liverpool to us is "Capital of Kindness", kindness can be found everywhere...and it's free.

Remember - It's boss to be kind!

Follow me on Twitter - @Degsy1013 but more importantly follow @RAKLPOOL and spread a bit of kindness.

Anyone out there?

Trying to explain to an 11 year old there has to be life on other planets is no easy task especially when she doesn't understand the logic.

Of course I can't prove there is but you'd have to be pretty naive not to believe it.

I'm no expert in space or astronomy but my understanding about life on Earth is down to proximity from the Sun.  At least that's one of the reasons.  Too close and the planet is too hot, too far away and it's too cold. It has to be in 'the Goldilocks Zone'...it has to be just right!

This year scientists are hoping to find 700,000 new galaxies to add to the billions already out there in the universe.

Our own galaxy, The Milky Way, has the potential to contain billions of Solar Systems. Only a few hundred have been discovered so far as it is difficult to spot a planet in the glare of its sun. 

Just taking into account The Milky Way, the probability of a planet having the right criteria to sustain life has to be quite high.

Multiply that by the number of galaxies, solar systems and countless number of planets, that probability (in my opinion) becomes inevitable.


Footnote: Just because I believe in life on other planets doesn't mean I believe in UFO's...except in the literal sense - Flying objects that are unidentified! Aeroplanes, light and  atmospheric anomalies are just some of the causes. Little green men?*...Nah! 

(*Possibly grey depending on what YOU believe in ;-) )

You can also view this on my YouTube page.

Gay Marriage - All in favour...?

Had I been asked my view about gay marriage a few months ago, my off the cuff remark would have been it doesn't affect me so I don't really care. 

However, as the topic has been all over the media for the past few months (and I'm sure in reality, it's been under discussion for years), I've had time to think.

As a father of 4 kids, the law of averages surely means there is a chance one of them will be gay.

I don't want to assume but I used to think it would be one of the boys (unless all boys under 5 like pink and mummy's shoes!). As they've got older football and fighting has kicked in, so perhaps not.  Maybe one of the girls.
One of them does have a massive 'girl crush' on an American TV star....

Victoria Justice at the Kids' Choice Awards 2011

This would be perfectly understandable!


If this turns out to be the case, they may want to settle down with their partner and who knows maybe have a traditional wedding. Both my girls have been confirmed so why shouldn't they want a church wedding.

I'm not a religious person but I do know there is an Old and New Testament.  Maybe another Testament needs to be introduced  to drag the church into the 21st century - A Modern Testament.

As a parent I want my kids to be happy in whatever they do so if it came down to a vote on whether or not there should be gay marriages, I would firmly put my mark in the YES box.

Equal Rights and Common Sense should prevail.

These are my ramblings based on what I believe in and nothing else.  I'm not open to debate on this matter but please feel free to leave a comment.

Hillsborough Poem

I wrote this poem soon after the Hillsborough tragedy and proves, even as a naive 17 year old, we all knew the truth but families of the 96 that died and survivors who were there that day, have had to fight for 23 years for the rest of the world to see.

Only this week (12/09/2012) the results of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's findings were published and the truth is now documented in black and white.

Full details can be found here http://hillsborough.independent.gov.uk/

My poem...

The crowd gathered
to watch the game
but to the officials
it only brought shame.

They started to push
when they thought they were late
so a senior officer
opened the gate.

Like a gallon of water
out of a funnel
the 3000 fans
rushed down the tunnel.

They all squashed in
the Leppings Lane End
and like pipe-cleaners
the barriers did bend.

On the pitch
a Policeman came
and, after 6 minutes,
the ref stopped the game.

An ambulance came
onto the football ground
and even then
some dead were found.

From the tunnel
the fans still gushed
and the kids at the front
to death they were crushed.

The police and the fans
were clearly shocked
to see three gates
that were still locked.

Across the pitch
a line was formed
to stop the Forest fans
being stormed.

But everyone
was on their best behaviour
and some of them
became a fans saviour.

An inquest began
soon after the game
and immediately the police said
they weren't to blame.

As people outside Anfield
wait in the queue
others lay down their scarves
both red and blue.

Most people in the hospitals
are very much alive
as we say Rest in Peace
"Hillsborough 95"

(The 96th victim was in a permanent coma following the tragedy and died almost 4 years later after the courts allowed him to 'die with dignity'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Bland)

Girls going Bananas in Pyjamas

I was watching a programme a few nights ago which was mainly set in Liverpool and a little piece of me died inside.

I've always been proud to be from Liverpool and try to promote the positive side of the City but what this car-crash telly focused on actually left me cringing.

So what was the main focus?

Scouse girls in their PJ's!

But not just PJ's - Rollers as well.

I know girls walk around the street in pyjamas, I've seen them. But I've always assumed they were going to the local shops, except Tesco..they're banned!

No, I was wrong.  These were walking through Church Street in the City Centre.

Of course, I would like to think these were just attention seeking wannabe's who got wind of a few television cameras and rushed into Town.  It would be naive of me to think that as, I'm afraid, this is probably the norm for them.

So let's look at the possible scenarios:

Scenario 1 : Girl jumps out of bed wearing her pyjamas puts on her shoes and goes out. If this is the case, YOU STINK.  Get a wash.  There is no excuse.

Scenario 2 : Girl jumps out of bed wearing her pyjamas, does the decent thing and gets washed and then puts on some clean pyjamas.  If this is the case, WHAT'S THE POINT.  Put some outdoor clothes on.  I'm not asking you to put on your Sunday best or spend hours choosing an outfit if you're only going shopping.  You're Scouse, throw on a trackie.  It might be a cliche but at least you can wear it outside and not be ridiculed. 

Please, if anyone can come up with a sensible reason for why girls do this, let me know.  I bet nobody can.

Check out a YouTube version of this blog

SIR Kenny Dalglish?

I recently stumbled across a letter I wrote to LFC Magazine almost 10 years ago when the topic at the time was on the lines of  "Should  Kenny Dalglish be given a Knighthood?" (an extract of this was used in the article - yay me!)

As it turned out, this is only part one of the story.

Liverpool were in turmoil and disarray soon after new owners took over in 2007.  The Rafa Benitez era, which looked so promising, came to an end in June 2010.  By this time, Kenny Dalglish was already back at the club working in the Academy and acting as Club Ambassador.  He was asked for help in looking for Rafa's replacement and, despite wanting the role himself, the job was give to Roy Hodgson.

Roy's reign came to an end after just 6 months.  Too many defeats from the start of the season left Liverpool far too close to the relegation zone.  Kenny Dalglish took the reins as Caretaker Manager on January 8th 2011.  With the transfer window open, Kenny was thrust into the spotlight on the very last day.  Selling Torres to Chelsea for £50m and buying Carroll from Newcastle for £35m - Shrewd business or a panic buy?

After a relatively successful end to the campaign, considering the poor start, Liverpool finished in 6th place just missing out on a Europa League place.
In May 2011, Kenny signed a 3 year deal and he was back for a second term.

A disastrous spell of league form in 2012 should not overshadow the fact Kenny, in his first full year in charge, guided Liverpool to their first cup win in 6 years when they lifted the Carling Cup in February. With the FA Cup still to play for, is the 2011-2012 season really as bad as people and many 'fans' think?
The 'Kenny Out' brigade need to look at the bigger picture and realise most teams in the Premier League won't win a single trophy never mind be fighting for two.

Kenny Dalglish is a Liverpool legend and always will be.  It surely must only be a matter of time, as I stated almost 10 years ago, before the powers that be recognise Kenny for what he has achieved and give him the Knighthood he deserves.

All this without mentioning all the charity work he does away from football!

SIR Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish - you will never walk alone.

James Bulger Memorial Trust

Not long after my first post regarding James,
http://derekmoore549.blogspot.com/2012/02/never-forgotten-james-bulger.html
I discovered a charity was set up in his name by his mother Denise.

The charity's aims are “To benefit and support young people who are disadvantaged by reason of having become the victims of crime, hatred or bullying. To reward those who are judged to have shown exemplary conduct, making a positive contribution to the welfare of others, or society in general..."

(Registered Charity Number: 1141125)

Full details can be found on the official 'For James' website www.forjames.org 

Lots of events have taken place in order to raise money for the charity including 'Swim for James' by Lesley Lloyd and more recently, 'Laughter Factory' with Pauline Daniels and Gary Skyner.

I hope by raising awareness of the charity, the memory of James and the good work done by so many people will carry on.

Good luck to all those involved.

James Bulger Memorial Trust can be followed on Twitter... @jbmt1

"Gone, but never forgotten."