THERE has to be a criminal investigation now into so many people and so many aspects of the Hillsborough Disaster. No stone must be left unturned, nothing more must be hidden or denied.

And for me the spotlight has to fall firmly on the Football Association as well as South Yorkshire Police and others.

How on earth could the FA have sanctioned a game at a ground with no safety certificate? That itself was utterly outrageous.

If they’d refused to let the match go ahead, no one would have made fatal mistakes, no one would have died, no cover up would have happened.

I was at Hillsborough that day and could not believe what was unfolding. My wife Sue was with friends in another part of the ground and I was worried sick for a while she might have been caught up in it.

I eventually found her sitting on a bus, perfectly safe, much to my relief. And we travelled home on that bus together. You could have heard a feather drop.

I just feel so proud of the families and the fans this week for the way they have fought to unlock the truth. The fight goes on. But it goes on with hope in their hearts at last.

Brendan Rodgers stood on the steps of St George’s Hall on Wednesday evening as the families of the 96 victims, survivors and supporters all came together.

He must have understood so much there and then and has since spoken of doing all he can now to bring the fans happiness.

I wish him well, hope every Liverpool player shares his desire, and that together they can succeed.

It says under Bill Shankly’s statue that he made the people happy. That is all Bill ever wanted from us, to give our all and win for the Liverpool fans.

This week, on a matter far more important than football, we have seen how special this club is and how determined these fans are.

They’ve stuck together and they were never, ever going to give in.

With qualities like that, you never know what you can achieve.