The South Yorkshire police officer in command of the 1989 FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough gave no orders before or for some time after he ordered a large exit gate to be opened to alleviate a crush outside, his trial for manslaughter heard.
David Duckenfield, the newly promoted chief superintendent in charge of the semi-final at Sheffield Wednesday’s ground between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, did not discuss “what the consequences might be” of opening the gate, said Michael Goddard, a former sergeant, who was in the police control box.
Preston crown court has already heard that 96 people were killed by a crush in the central “pens” of the Leppings Lane terrace after the large exit gate, C, was opened and a large number of people allowed through, at 2.52pm on 15 April 1989.
Goddard, who operated the police radio system in the control box, said Duckenfield, standing behind him, did not give any orders in response to a crush of Liverpool supporters that built up outside the turnstiles to the Leppings Lane end from 2.30pm. He said Duckenfield did not respond to an initial request from Roger Marshall, a superintendent outside, for the large exit gates at that end to be opened to allow a large number of people through at once and alleviate the crush.
Ultimately, Duckenfield did give the order for gate C to be opened, after the request from Marshall became a “demand”, Goddard told the court. Asked by Richard Matthews QC, prosecuting, what happened after Marshall’s third request, Goddard replied:
“[Supt Bernard] Murray turned round to Mr Duckenfield and said: ‘Do we open the gate, sir? And he immediately replied: ‘Open the gates.’”
Matthews asked: “Do you remember any other order up to that point from Mr Duckenfield in the police control box?”
“No sir,” Goddard replied.
“Was there any discussion about what the consequences might be of opening the gates and letting in a large number of people?”
“Not that I recall sir, no,” Goddard said.
The jury has been told that there was no order to close a tunnel opposite gate C, and Goddard said he could see most of those who came in went down that tunnel. Goddard said he recalled the tunnel having been blocked by officers to direct people away from it on one previous occasion, in 1987. However, it was not done at this semi-final, Goddard said.
Asked from whom he thought the order would have come to close the tunnel, Goddard replied: “From Mr Murray.”
Matthews asked him: “Do you recall any other orders from Mr Duckenfield or Mr Murray at this time about anything?”
“No,” Goddard replied.
Duckenfield did not respond to a request from an officer, PC Michael Buxton, for the 3pm kick off to be delayed, Goddard said, and he himself told Buxton that it was too late, because Liverpool’s players had already run out on to the pitch.
The first he became aware of problems in the pens, Goddard said, was when he saw people climbing up the metal fence at the front. He said he thought it was a pitch invasion at first, but not for long. The match was eventually stopped by a superintendent, Roger Greenwood, running on to the field and approaching the referee.
“Were any messages or orders given by Mr Murray or Mr Duckenfield at this point?” Matthews asked.
“Not that I can recall, no,” Goddard replied.
Duckenfield is charged with gross negligence manslaughter in relation to 95 of the people who died. Graham Mackrell, the former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary and safety officer, is on trial alongside him, charged with two criminal breaches of safety legislation. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Goddard will be cross-examined by Duckenfield’s barrister, Ben Myers QC, on Tuesday.
