I originally wrote Milestone several years ago - before the Hillsborough Inquest was announced. When the Inquest verdicts were delivered I realised I could adapt the script with just a very small number of changes. I liked the idea of the character seeing the events as a catalyst for change - a theme referred to by many of the victimsí families. Also, adding a practical dilemma in the characterís situation and the practical steps he identifies to help him deal with it, enabled me to demonstrate the long-term effects of the tragedy on many, many people - some of whom are no longer with us. Amidst his confusion of knowing what to feel after the verdicts he speaks directly to his Father - killed at Hillsborough - looks for answers to his immediate dilemma and pays tribute to him for introducing him to the wonderful game of football. It felt important to me to include in that conversation the fact that football continues to be a part of his familyís life.

In my view, the 96 victims were murdered for being Working Class - a view shared by many - and I felt it was important to imbue the script with a recognition of this and the eventís place in the history of class struggle. In my attempt to do this I referred to other significant milestones and turning points in history to shine the light as brightly upon victories and triumphs as on those darker moments too. Economic policies and successive governments from the 1980ís onwards divided, disenfranchised and fragmented the Working Class, hampering efforts to fight back, and elevating the Establishment to a position of assumed impunity. The Hillsborough families victory - their determination, tenacity, dignity, and resourcefulness - demonstrates our ability to challenge injustice in the face of seemingly insurmountable structural barriers. Their victory - as well as being rightfully their own - is one for not only the Working Class and society at large, but for humanity itself.