May 30. The anniversary of the 1984 European Cup final. A momentous night that would have massive consequences. Against Roma in Rome. It will probably amaze people today but there were only just over 8,000 Liverpool there
Most of us who were in the Stadio Olimpico and the Eternal City wince at the memory of the violence directed at us before and after the game. Roma stabbed, slashed and beat us. Google 'puncicate' to get a sense of it
The toxic ramifications would had a horrible legacy. The anger and suspicion from in Rome had an impact on behaviour in Brussels a year on. There was a sense of 'no Italian will never treat me like that again.' The reasons for Heysel are many and complex but this played a part
Football-wise, Rome was one of Liverpool's great performances. Everything was stacked against them but the team showed unbelievable character. Off the pitch it was ugly
Here's a pic from after the penalties with my brothers in foreground. I'm at back standing up and I can tell you exactly what I was thinking. The Roma fans set fire to their banners and scarfs and there were flames all around. I was thinking, 'christ, we have to go outside now.' 
My mate's dad nearly died after being stabbed. His 16-year-old son had his nose broken by a policeman when he begged for help for his father. Tear gas, knives and terror.
I wrote a book from the players' perspective called I Don't Know What It Is But I Love It. The team's story is worth knowing. They were a bunch of reprobates in many ways - they were beating the crap out of each other in a drunken brawl a week before the final
Far Foreign Land, another book, has a long section about what happened to fans and puts into context the impact and after-effects of the game. If you're interested the details are on my pinned tweet
The impact of Rome in 84 and its importance is overlooked. You can't understand Heysel without bringing the previous year into the equation. And no, that does not mean it's an excuse. It means that without seeing the whole picture you will fundamentally misunderstand the era
Been asked about the books. FFL is still available £7.50 UK, £10 Europe, £12.50 ROW. I have some of the 84 book but literally a handful. Email me if you want one. It is available on Amazon, though
