If you’re a Liverpool fan, you’re aware of the long history between its supporters and the Sun newspaper. It dates back to the Hillsborough Disaster in 1989 when 96 fans died at the FA Cup semifinal between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. The fans died due to overcrowding at Hillsborough Stadium, though The Sun reported on its front page as “The Truth” that Liverpool fans had pickpocketed victims, urinated on police officers, and beat up emergency workers.
That has led to a boycott of the paper in Liverpool that has lasted to this day. One fan who’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the esophagus has taken that to the next level. The Sun wanted to report on Matt Henderson’s battle, which has spread to his lymph nodes and liver.
The Sun asked Henderson if it could tell his story and publish a picture of his son. He responded on Facebook and Twitter by telling the Sun he would rather have another round of chemotherapy than to allow the paper to print a picture of him and his son:
The response my terminally ill, lifelong Liverpool fan and old friend gave when the Sun asked if they could run his story and use a picture of his son. pic.twitter.com/8j2uWbsWxh
— Bodie Hodges (@Bodie_Hodges) December 26, 2017
Henderson wrote:
“… as a proud and loyal Liverpool FC fan, and a season ticket holder for 25 years, I would rather have another cycle of chemo than let your rag of a paper report on my story and/or show a picture of my son EVER. #JFT96 #YNWA #help4matt”
The post has been shared throughout social media and has gone viral in the UK. Matt told the Liverpool Echo that his reply as a loyal Liverpool fan “was a no a brainer …”
In this video published on the Echo website, Henderson said he hopes to see another Christmas:
From the support Henderson has received from his fellow Liverpool fans, it appears that the negative feelings from supporters towards the Sun won’t be turning around any time soon.
About Ken Fang
Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.
He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.
Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.