For Sean Luckett, meeting his footballing hero Kenny Dalglish was an experience that took 36 years to consciously achieve. The first time the legendary Liverpool manager visited his hospital bedside, Luckett was in a coma, a young survivor of the Hillsborough disaster. The second meeting, arranged decades later, finally allowed for a long-awaited thank you.
A Childhood Hero and an Unthinkable Tragedy
Growing up as a devoted Liverpool fan in Warwickshire, Sean Luckett's idol was the "wily, tough, insanely skilful Scot," Kenny Dalglish. His life as a supporter, spanning from his first Anfield game in 1974 to European glory in Rome, was defined by following the Reds. This passion led him to Sheffield on 15 April 1989 for the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, a day that ended in tragedy.
His memories of the Hillsborough disaster are fragmented yet profound. He recalls his father's plan for the trip, the bright lights of the Royal Hallamshire hospital, and friends visiting. However, he has no memory of the most significant visitor of all. As recently documented, Dalglish came to see him two days after he fell into a coma. The manager spoke to him, saying, "Hi there, wee man. Come on, you'll be all right. We love your support."
Miraculously, as Dalglish walked away, Luckett sat up. He was the "miracle" boy awakened by the sound of his hero's voice, a moment he only learned about afterwards.
Life After the Disaster and a Long-Awaited Reunion
The years following Hillsborough were immensely challenging for Luckett. He suffered from an anoxic brain injury, PTSD, survivor's guilt, and deep depression. The trauma made meaningful work impossible for a long time. Throughout this struggle, he felt sustained by the compassion of Dalglish, the man who had inadvertently helped bring him back to consciousness.
The chance for a proper meeting arrived 36 years later, prompted by Asif Kapadia's documentary, Kenny Dalglish. After a friend spotted Luckett in the film at a London premiere, a connection was made. He was invited to a Liverpool screening. In a whirlwind, he drove to the city, accompanied by a mate for support.
At the cinema, surrounded by Liverpool legends like Alan Hansen and Steve McMahon, the producer arranged the moment. Without warning, Luckett was spun around to come face-to-face with Dalglish himself, just before the manager took the stage for a Q&A with his daughter, Kelly Cates.
Catharsis, Gratitude, and Unending Pain
The encounter was brief but profoundly cathartic. After a firm handshake, Luckett passed on a hug from his mother, which Dalglish warmly accepted. As he left, Dalglish called after him, "Don't fall asleep," a poignant echo of their first meeting. Later, as he departed, Dalglish sought Luckett out again, grabbed his hand and said, "Great to fucking see you by the way."
For Luckett, the intervening years melted away. He was once again the overexcited nine-year-old, but now able to express gratitude to the man who carried the burden for a city and its fans. He reflects on Dalglish's dignity, normalness, and self-deprecation, qualities that have always defined the icon.
Yet, the reunion exists against a backdrop of enduring pain and injustice. Luckett notes the recent Independent Office for Police Conduct report from early December, which cited "fundamental failures" on the day and "concerted efforts" to blame fans. The bewilderment continues, with no consequences for those involved.
Sean Luckett will never forget his second meeting with Kenny Dalglish. He closes a circle, offering the thanks he could not give as a boy in a coma. But his final sentiment is stark: he wishes he'd never had to meet him at all. "We never accept Hillsborough. We all just live alongside it. And that will never change," he concludes. The pain remains, but so does the bond with an ally who, as Luckett says, showed how much he loves the fans.
