19th Hillsborough Memorial Service

It was the 19th Anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster today, and like every year thousands of Liverpool supporters joined the families of those who died to remember the ninety-six who lost their lives in 1989.

A service was held at Anfield, starting at 2.45pm, with a minute’s silence at 3.06pm, the time that the referee took the players off the pitch as it became clear there were problems.

The emotionally-charged service ended with a rendition of You’ll Never Walk alone.

The two readings this year were read by Brian Hall and Gary Ablett.

Although the club’s owners didn’t attend the service, David Moores, Rick Parry and Rafa Benitez were there. The full first-teams squad plus the club’s youngsters also attended.

The gesture shown by Celtic in the aftermath of the game and ever since were acknowledged by the Hillsborough Family Support Group’s chairman Phil Hammond. Celtic played Liverpool after the disaster, and to this day their fans have continued to show support. Now it looks like a charity game will be played.

Mr Hammond said: “Liverpool Football Club have always enjoyed a special relationship with Celtic, and next year we want to take this unique friendship to the next level.

“Next year it will be 20 years without our loved ones, 20 years of sheer hell and injustice. I’m pleased to announce that agreement has been reached with Liverpool to play a charity match on or about April 19th.

“It won’t be the current team who plays, of course, but more appropriately we are trying to arrange a game between the Liverpool and Celtic players who played in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Fingers crossed it will be played at Anfield and all proceeds will be split between the Hillsborough Families Support Group and the Marina Dalglish Appeal.”

Some photos of the build-up to the service and the tributes next to the eternal flame can be seen by clicking below:

Hillsborough Memorial Service

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