Manchester United fan explains ’97 Not Enough’ kit as a heartfelt homage to grandfather

Ahead of the highly anticipated FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City, a Manchester United supporter found himself in trouble with the law for wearing a provocative shirt. The fan, James White, vehemently denies any association between his shirt and the tragic events of the Hillsborough disaster.

The clash between the two Manchester giants marked the first-ever Manchester derby in a major final, and anticipation ran high as both teams vied to secure a historic Treble. The tension was palpable, and fans flocked to Wembley Stadium to witness the momentous event, despite the logistical challenges posed by transportation strikes.

Amidst the sea of supporters, James White stood out with his white away shirt adorned with the words “Not Enough” on the back, accompanied by the number 97. Many interpreted this as a distasteful reference to the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, where 97 Liverpool fans tragically lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster.

Unfortunately for White, his choice of attire led to his arrest before even entering Wembley. Subsequently, he appeared before Willesden Magistrates’ Court in north-west London, where he pleaded guilty to displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress. As a result, he received a four-year ban from all football-related activities.

However, White maintains that his shirt holds a different meaning, asserting, “You haven’t asked what the t-shirt means. My grandad died at age 97, and he didn’t have enough kids.” Despite his seemingly unconventional explanation, the court handed down the ban and Manchester United imposed an indefinite ban on White, extending beyond the initial four years.

During the court proceedings, District Judge Mark Jabbitt addressed White, expressing disbelief at the offensive message conveyed by the shirt. “You attended the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City on 3 June, a high-profile football event,” said the judge. “And there you were, wearing a Manchester United football shirt with ’97 Not Enough’ written on the back… it’s hard to imagine a more painful or offensive message given the context of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.”

The FA Cup final saw a total of 22 arrests related to various incidents, although no arrests have been made thus far in connection with the reported “missile” thrown from the crowd towards Victor Lindelof.