Liverpool Remembers Hillsborough Disaster

By Mike McCarthy, North of England Correspondent

The city of Liverpool fell silent today - exactly 25 years to the second when the FA Cup semi-final match was abandoned at Hillsborough stadium

Church and town hall bells throughout Merseyside tolled 96 times at 3.06pm to mark the moment. 

Public transport in Liverpool was be halted at the same time and barriers at the Mersey tunnels were lowered.

A large screen at the city's Lime Street station displayed photographs of the 96 victims of the disaster.

At Liverpool FC's Anfield stadium, more than 30,000 people gathered for an emotionally charged service to mark the 25th anniversary.

Players and managers from the past and present joined families of the victims for the ceremony.  Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and Everton's Roberto Martinez gave readings.

Former Sports Secretary Andy Burnham was booed at a similar event five years ago. Today he was cheered and applauded when he told the gathering: "Five years ago things changed. Things changed, not because of me, but because of you.

"They changed because you made your voices heard. That day, your voices were carried off this Kop and into every living room in the land and from there into the heart of the establishment. I knew you were right and they were wrong."

Long-campaigning leaders of the Hillsborough Families' Support Group, Trevor Hicks and Margaret Aspinall, also spoke at the service.

Scarves are tied to the gates of Anfield ahead of the Hillsborough memorial

Margaret Aspinall said: "For 25 years we've been fighting to get to the truth. You all know what we've been fighting for, so I do not need to say what it's for."

Tears flowed throughout the stadium as a gospel choir led the Anfield anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone. Liverpool writer Jimmy McGovern released 96 balloons in the stadium as the song got underway.

Scarves from all English football league clubs were laid out on the pitch to form the figure 96, reflecting the number of people who died as a result of crushing at Hillsborough stadium on the April 28, 1989.

The service was also screened at Everton's Goodison Park stadium, where chairman Bill Kenwright joined fans and the first team squad to offer support to their neighbouring club.

Mr Kenwright said: "Our city is home to almost half a million people known around the world for their compassion, humour and love of the great game.

"We are brought together by two much admired, world famous football clubs who have stood shoulder to shoulder since the unimaginable tragedy at Hillsborough."

A specially commissioned sculpture by Liverpool artist Julian J Taylor stood at one end of the Anfield pitch. The simple silver band bears the names of the 96 victims and is said to represent the bond between families, survivors and friends.

The service comes as inquests into the deaths continue in Warrington.

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