Hammill looking to prove his credentials with Town

A red through and through, Hammill – who started his career at Anfield – has closely followed this week’s developments regarding the appalling events of April 15, 1989.

And he has welcomed the end of a 23-year battle by thousands of Liverpudlians for the truth about what happened on that fateful spring afternoon to be made known to the country and world.

Wednesday was a day when Liverpool got its reputation back after years of whispers about it being a ‘self-pity city’ from the likes of Boris Johnson.

While some sort of closure will have been offereed by the Prime Minister’s fulsome apology for the events which saw 96 people head out to watch a football match and never come home and the blame being laid firmly at the door of the emergency services, the next battlefront has opened up. Justice.

In the light of recent events, when Hammill and fellow Merseysiders’ Calum Woods, Anthony Gerrard and captain Peter Clarke arrive at Hillsborough next week, it will be impossible for them not to think back to the darkest day in Liverpool’s proud history.

Hammill, eyeing a home debut for Town against Derby County this afternoon after his late cameo on his debut at Ipswich Town a fortnight ago, said: “It will be a little bit strange going to Hillsborough on Wednesday. I’ve got family members who want to come down and I had friends and family who were there on the day.

“My best mate’s mum was there and a few of her relatives. They were some of the fortunate ones on the day.

“A relative of Anthony Gerrard was the youngest person who died there (Jon-Paul Gilhooley), so it will be tough for him. We’ve been talking about it all on the way in (to training).

“It’s been mixed emotions this week. There was built-up anger, but when the decision came out, there’s the relief for the families. For 23 years, they had been fighting for that day and they have got the truth.

“The people of Liverpool knew the truth all along. For it to finally come out, it’s 23 years too late isn’t it ... there’s been a lot of cover-ups and we were labelled with a reputation we didn’t deserve or warrant. Some people should hold their heads in shame. We didn’t expect the stories about those who could have survived and your heart goes out to their families.

“Some of the stuff that went on just wasn’t right. People need to be punished for the consequences. We’ve got to unite in the city and move forward.

“As a Liverpool fan and a Liverpudlian, the city wants the justice now.

“That’s got to follow.”

After a frustrating year at Wolves, loan winger Hammill didn’t have to be asked twice about a switch to Huddersfield and a reunion with Simon Grayson, who signed him on loan late in his managerial stint at Blackpool and was linked with a move for him while at Leeds.

It’s now about making up for lost time and also proving a point to new Wolves boss Stale Solbakken – namely that he was wrong for letting him go.

Hammill, 24, headed to Molineux from Barnsley in January 2011 and after a productive time of it initially which saw him impress, things soon turned sour.

Town is the skilful wingers’ sixth loan destination and he is desperate to lay down some roots in West Yorkshire this season as he bids to get back to the stellar form he displayed at nearby Barnsley.

And after being kept in check by the recent international break, he can’t wait to fly out of the traps – starting today.

Hammill, who spent the second half of last term on loan at Middlesbrough, said: “I came here and took a bit of a wage deduction and I could have easily sat there on the bench or in the stands. But that wasn’t for me.

“I made the decision to come here until January and prove to people what I can do. I want to show they (Wolves) were in the wrong for letting me go and show they’ve made a mistake.

“I’d like to extend the loan for the rest of the season. I just want to settle and be happy rather than pulling my hair out in the stands. That’s tough; it can affect you on and off the pitch

“The money side didn’t come into coming here. I just want to show what I’m about, I’m excited; it’s like being a kid again.

“The move actually nearly never went through and it only did a couple of minutes to go on deadline day. I got a call at 10pm saying it was all sorted, so I jumped onto the M62 with the missus and flew down the motorway.

“I got here with half-an-hour to go and there was all the paperwork.

“There was another player (Jermaine Beckford) whose deal didn’t quite come through, so I’m glad mine did.

“I was delighted to be back on the pitch at Ipswich, although a bit of a strange one.

“I had to travel from Liverpool at six o’clock in the morning. I wasn’t expecting to be involved, but did relatively well.

“My fitness has been boosted this week by two reserve games and it was nice to get two goals and that’s one thing I’ll be looking to add. I just can’t wait to play.”

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