Mr Rogers.

I am extremely concerned at what appears to be a conspiracy between The Liverpool Echo, Liverpool FC and the Hillsborough Families Support Group to suppress the activities of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign in general, but particularly in the matter of the boycott of Saturday's game in Sheffield.

I am aware that you are not the editor of The Echo, however as Sports Editor, surely you must realise how well supported the proposed boycott of Saturday's game has become. This success is despite a refusal from an editorial team at the Echo, who recently met with Kevin and Gary of the HJC, to publicise the boycott itself or the 'alternative' rally at St George's Plateau on Saturday afternoon. The reason for their refusal was that they would "have to run it by the HFSG" as they felt it would confuse the public. (Could have come from Trevor Hicks' own lips that!). If the Liverpool Echo felt that the public were confused by an issue surely it is their duty to inform them of all the relevant viewpoints so that the issue would no longer prove confusing. Or do you feel that your readership cannot make up their own minds on the boycott issue and have to be protected from the propaganda of the HJC? And since when has an independent newspaper that touts itself as "the voice of Merseyside" had to run a story or any issue past a third party before deciding to print? It smacks me as a very poor excuse and one which I personally find objectionable and totally inexcusable.

The behaviour of Liverpool FC in this matter is also one causing their supporters great concern. They have allowed the HFSG to print full page articles in recent match programmes which imply that the boycott is "off". They have refused the HJC a similar privilege to address the fans in the same manner. They have warned stewards on matchdays of being seen to support the Justice Campaign (namely the wearing of the yellow stickers) and last Saturday stooped to the depths of ejecting a supporter for refusing to remove a HJC banner from the front perimeter fence (where it caused no obstruction whatsoever).

I fully respect the HFSG's opinions on any matter and I also fully support their legal campaign against Duckenfield and Murray as I'm sure you do. Is it not too much to ask that The Liverpool Echo respect the opinions of those bereaved families and injured survivors of the Hillsborough disaster that form part of the HJC's membership?

I seem to recall your newspaper giving many, many opportunities to the Everton Independent Supporters Club during the 'Goodison for Everton' debate. What makes this group of fans any different from the thousands of Liverpool fans who are fully paid up members of the HJC? Why have our opinions been suppressed? I know that the HJC regularly fax press releases to all local news and media companies so I don't believe you can plead ignorance over the matter.

What is more worrying are the implications of this "conspiracy of silence". You will realise that the boycott will not be 100% successful. Without total support from Liverpool FC that was always expected. Given that some supporters will travel to the game (some in ignorance of the boycott, some in defiance of the HJC, some who just want to go etc) there may well be other fans, who feel particularly deeply over the boycott and it's reasons, who will travel to Hillsborough to protest. There was always the fear that this may lead to arguments and worse. The whole point of Saturday's rally in Liverpool was to provide a focal point for those who wanted to express their support for the boycott or their solidarity with the Justice campaign generally. It meant that some people would be persuaded from travelling to Sheffield, and hopefully any possible disturbances would be prevented. After all, who would trust South Yorks Police, in a situation like this not to manufacture or encourage a confrontation? It is in their best interests to do so. They have already begun their 'dirty tricks' campaign this year by announcing to the press (and it was printed in last Saturday's Post) that they do not want Liverpool fans to travel to Hillsborough without tickets. Just think about the crass insensitivity of that highly provocative statement. I dread to think how they will react to fans who travel to Hillsborough on Saturday (for whatever reason - it is the 10th anniversary visit after all) without match tickets purely to pay their respects. By suppressing the information of the boycott and refusing to publicise the alternative of the rally and concert The Liverpool Echo are actively encouraging people to travel to Hillsborough on Saturday. Should any disturbances arise from this then I hold the Liverpool Echo, the HFSG and Liverpool FC to be partly responsible.

Can I end by saying that even after Saturday's game, this issue will refuse to go away. Your newspaper has clearly been seen to nail it's colours to a particular mast by excluding the opinions (even the very existence) of the HJC. Can I assure you that if thousands of Liverpool fans can refuse to buy tickets to watch their team they can also refuse to buy a newspaper that has betrayed them. If you doubt the support the Boycott campaign has gathered I suggest you contact Liverpool FC and check how many tickets for Saturday's game have actually been sold. By Wednesday evening the number was spectacularly low.

I would like to ask you to copy this email to your editor. Thank you.

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