IPCC thanks Reds for appeal support
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has sent a letter of thanks to LFC for its on-going support of promoting the Hillsborough witness appeal.
Some fans have raised concerns through the official Liverpool FC Supporters' Committee that the club could be doing more to promote the appeal but the IPCC is delighted with the Reds' promotion of the campaign.
A letter from Deborah Glass, deputy chair of the IPCC, which was sent to the club earlier this month, said: "On behalf of the IPCC I would like to thank Liverpool Football Club for the tremendous support we received in promoting our Hillsborough witness appeal.
"We have had an incredibly good response to the appeal and I am sure that is in no small part due to the club's support in spreading the news."
The appeal was launched around the Reds' home game against Southampton with an article featured in the match day programme, announcements made over the tannoy at Anfield, articles published on the club's website and details were pushed through the LFC Twitter account which has over two million followers.
Brendan Rodgers also showed his support in his pre-match press conference which generated extensive media coverage of the appeal.
On top of that, LFC TV recorded and broadcast a special programme from the IPCC headquarters which included interviews with IPCC staff.
LFC contacted the IPCC again recently with another proposed programme of activity but the IPCC has asked the club not to do another big push at this stage of the process to allow the investigation team time to ensure they have dealt with the initial response to the appeal.
However, the club has offered to build on the initial campaign and give on-going support, including putting posters up at the turnstiles so all fans will see them as they enter the stadium and, due to the overwhelming demand from fans and with the agreement of the IPCC, will distribute leaflets inside the ground on a match day, possibly against Fulham. The club will be asking for volunteers to help give out the leaflets in due course.
Deborah Glass, added: "I know and appreciate that the club shares our view about the importance of this appeal in ensuring that everyone has a voice, and hope that we can, at last, deliver the definitive investigation into the disaster."