Shields: Cards from Liverpool players keep me going

Sep 21 2007

A football fan jailed after Liverpool FC’s 2005 European Cup victory marks his 21st birthday behind bars today.

Michael Shields was sentenced to 10 years in a Bulgarian jail two years ago after an attack on a barman in the Black Sea resort of Varna.

Despite somebody else admitting the crime, Mr Shields, who always maintained his innocence, was put before the Bulgarian courts and convicted.

Speaking from his prison cell, he said: “My 21st will be like the last two Christmas days I’ve been in jail.

“I just want to get them out of the way so I’m a day nearer to getting out.

“It will just be another 24 hours when I’m in here and the world carries on.

“I should be celebrating with my family and friends instead of stuck in here.”

Mr Shields’ parents, Michael Snr and Marie, visited him today but were restricted in taking the hundreds of cards and gifts well-wishers have sent him.

But they did deliver birthday cards from Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and centre-back Jamie Carragher, whose card read: “To Michael, Happy 21st mate.

“Keep going - you are not forgotten.”

A petition on the Prime Minister’s website demanding his release has considerable backing with 15,000 signatures.

Mr Shields, of Edge Hill, Liverpool, was moved to an English prison, HMP Hindley near Wigan, in November 2006 so he could be closer to his family.

The move came after months of diplomatic pressure from the British Government.

Moves to have the engineering student’s name cleared are continuing - his lawyer is due to meet Bulgarian MEPs soon.

Michael’s father said: “Marie and I feel heartbroken Michael isn’t with us for his big day.

“It’s horrible to think it will just be a routine day.

“You only turn 21 once and my son is doing it as an innocent person behind bars.

“When he was 18 he didn’t want a party, but he always said he’d have a 21st with his mate Paul Kelly who shares his birthday.

“Paul isn’t going to have a party now because he’s too sad.

“He’s going to wait until Michael gets out.”