READ: Hillsborough Disaster

The 15th April 1989 will always be remembered for the most serious tragedy in UK sporting history- the Hillsborough disaster.

The morning of the FA semi-final against Nottingham Forest, thousands of Liverpool fans made their way to Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium, in the hope of a win that would take them through to the final.

In the period before the game, a large crowd of fans built up outside the turnstiles at the Leppings Lane end, waiting to enter the ground. In an attempt to relieve the pressure outside, an order was given to open an exit gate in which around 2,000 fans entered.

Six minutes into the game, the referee was forced to blow the whistle as chaos unfolded in the stand. The world watched on as fans attempted to escape the crush that had occurred, by climbing over the fencing, with some fans pulled to safety by those above in the West Stand.

In the chaotic aftermath, fellow supporters tried to administer first aid to those injured and tore down advertising boards to use as makeshift stretchers.

Merseyside fell into mourning as the death count rose. Over 700 people were injured in the disaster, with ninety-six people subsequently losing their lives.

In the days that followed, Prince Charles led tributes by laying flowers on Anfield’s Kop. Soon, Anfield Stadium was covered in flowers, scarves and banners as Merseyside united to pay their respects. Just five weeks after the disaster, Liverpool and Everton met for the 1989 FA Cup final. Players from both sides wore black armbands and a minute’s silence was observed.

In 2012, following a tireless and determined campaign led by the bereaved families and survivors, the High Court quashed the original accidental death verdicts and ordered new inquests.

After two years of evidence, the jurors at the Hillsborough inquests have now reached their determinations.