JUST a fortnight ago football was united in mourning the loss of the legendary 'Busby Babes' in the dreadful Munich Air disaster of 1958.

This week the families of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster were given a kick in the teeth.

Home Secretary Jack Straw said he would not sanction a new public inquiry into the disaster of 1989 in which 96 Liverpool fans died in a harrowing crowd crush before the semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

He said a review of new evidence had not added 'anything significant' to the previous public inquiry. Suggestions that evidence had been suppressed were dismissed.

This, despite Straw admitting that the 'system' had failed the victims' families and conceding that coroners' inquiries were 'unsuitable' for investigating major incidents. There is, however, to be a single inquiry for future major tragedies. Hurrah.

It's the past that occupies the families and relatives of the Hillsborough victims. Until they can reconcile that past to a study of all the evidence they will be trapped in the events of nine springs ago.

Angry relatives of the dead and fellow campaigners have threatened private prosecutions in their bid to get 'Justice for the Hillsborough 96'. They will be even more protracted, thereby prolonging the misery and the welling grievances of the families affected by the tragedy.

Maybe the hope is that more delays will dim people's recall as more days, months, years scratch by. Wrong. If anything the feeling of injustice will only be intensified.

Until the entire tragedy is fully examined, incorporating the new concerns presented by the families, then the tragedy will never be laid to rest.

IT'S only when one takes into context the events of Munich, Ibrox, Heysel and Hillsborough and their ilk that the true meaning of tragedy in football can be known.

Yet, as so often in this game of hype and glory, the words 'tragedy' and 'disaster' are employed to the loss of an injury-time goal, a sending-off, a missed chance.

Such descriptions have been bandied about all week about Manchester City and the latest spin on the Maine Road managerial misery-go-round.

That's not to dilute the feelings of the loyal legions of City fans, who must all be follically-challenged after such collective tearing out of hair.

But it's not a disaster - it's a farce, though one without the laughs. The ramshackle nature of the club was best summed up by the sacking of the ever dignified Frank Clark, who first heard of his departure on local radio. Frankly speaking, Manchester City's board deserve all the flak they get.

CAN there be a greater contrast between Maine Road and Old Trafford?

Since Alex Ferguson took over at Manchester United in late 1986 he has now seen ten different managers in the Blues hot-seat.

The ten, all former players, could line up as a formidable outfield unit of say 5-3-2: Mel Machin, Billy McNeill, Jimmy Frizzell, Brian Horton, Frank Clark; Peter Reid, Alan Ball, Howard Kendall: Steve Coppell, Joe Royle. All that's missing is a goalie, but then Man City do not keep things too long anyway.

ANOTHER manager back in the spotlight is Roy Evans.

Basically a decent man and faithfully loyal to the cause of Liverpool his time as boss has entered the red expiry zone in the wake of the dispiriting Coca-Cola Cup semi-final defeat by Middlesbrough.

It was not so much the listless display of the men in canary yellow - Evans can do little about such lethargy once the under-achievers cross the line - but his tactics and formation for the tie were awry.

Already there's talk of successors. There's the inevitable lobby for ex-Anfield stars such as Steve McMahon, John Toshack, maybe even a return for Kenny Dalglish.

But time may be right for a complete break from that tradition and plump for someone unconnected with the Liverpool 4 postcode.

ANOTHER reason for Bryan Robson to smile.

Not only has he guided Middlesbrough to three appearances at Wembley within a year - more even than Manchester United - his current club have also pipped the team he skippered with distinction in another area.

Middlesbrough have launched their own cable TV show six months before Manchester United's scheduled television kick-off. The show is presented by former Boro hero Bernie Slaven and is available on cable station Comcast, Teesside.

FORMER Rowntree Ladies' footballer Gill Coultard is to be honoured by her home town of Doncaster with a civic reception at Doncaster mansion in recognition of her dedication to women's football and the Doncaster Belles.

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