Anfield stars past and present join bereaved at last Hillsborough memorial

Thousands of fans gathered with the families of those who died in the tragedy to pay their respects.

Twenty-seven years later, Hillsborough Family Support Group chairman Margaret Aspinall says their families have unanimously decided to make this the final annual commemorative event at Anfield.

Dortmund and Liverpool teams line up as the supporters remember the 96 victims of the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster before the Europa League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Liverpool FC and Borussia Dortmund in Liverpool, England, on Thursday, April 14, 2016.

Among those in the crowd were the current Liverpool team manager Jurgen Klopp, ex-bosses Brendan Rodgers and Kenny Dalglish, and club heroes such as Alan Hansen.

When the time reached 3:06 p.m., the exact moment the 1989 semifinal was abandoned as Britain’s worst sporting disaster unfolded, a minute’s silence began.

Across the city, public transport will be halted, the Mersey Ferry will blow its funnels, and flags will be lowered on civic buildings before bells toll 96 times at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.

The names of the 96 were read by clergy Deacon Flip del Uil, of Kensington Methodist Church, Reverend Kelvin Bolton, of Christ Church and Holy Trinity, and Father Stephen Maloney, of All Saints Church in Anfield.

And he said that although it was the last service at Anfield it would not be the last time Liverpool remembered the 96.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “We will never forget those who died at Hillsborough. You wouldn’t go away, and thank God you didn’t go away”.

Bishop James Jones, the former bishop of Liverpool, said when he first came to the city Hillsborough was like an “open wound” but the families now were not “vengeful or vindictive”.

Trevor Hicks, the president of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, who lost his daughters Victoria, 15, and Sarah, 19, in the tragedy and has been instrumental in the families’ long campaign, was next to address the service.

The service finished with a rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings, while 96 doves were released followed by another emotional version of You’ll Never Walk Alone.