The new inquests, ordered after the first was quashed in December 2012 following the families’ long campaign against the initial 1991 verdict, have lasted two years since they started on 1 April 2014, becoming by far the longest legal case heard by a jury in British history.
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You can’t forget because you can’t help but remember and you remember because you never could forget – 27 years later the Hillsborough Stadium disaster and the 96 lives lost still resonates as loudly as it did back in 1989 when the tragedy unfolded in front of television cameras during Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final meeting with Nottingham Forest.
A light was lit, one by one, on a large sculpture called The Band Of Life, as each name was called out, as 25,000 fans gathered at the stadium to mark the emotional anniversary.
Hillsborough Family Support Group chairman Margaret Aspinall said at the time that “this final memorial service will provide the families with some closure” while thanking those who have supported the families over the past 27 years.
As the time reached 3.06pm, the exact moment the match was abandoned, a minute’s silence began.
Civic flags flew at half mast, while bells tolled 96 times to remember the men, women and children caught up in the tragedy.
Public transport and shops in the city centre have also been encouraged to observe the silence.
Liverpool fans created a mosaic prior to last night’s Europa League quarter-final second leg victory against Borussia Dortmund, with the Kop showing the number “96” alongside the eternal flame.
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The Lord Mayor, Councillor Tony Concepcion, said: “Hillsborough was a tragedy which must never be forgotten and it is appropriate that the city marks the anniversary in this way”.
