Hillsborough survivors' bench unveiled ahead of 35th anniversary
As Liverpool FC prepares to mark the 35th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster on April 15, a new survivors’ bench has been installed adjacent to the memorial at Anfield.
The specially designed bench is to recognise the survivors of Hillsborough and serve as a permanent reminder of their strength, unity and courage since the tragedy at the FA Cup semi-final in 1989.
It was unveiled today at a special service hosted by club chaplain Bill Bygroves, with members of the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance and Hillsborough Survivors Association in attendance.
Various design options were explored for the bench, each conveying a particular thought or idea that recognises the bravery of survivors in helping as many fellow supporters as possible at Hillsborough and the subsequent quest for truth and justice.
The final design features a pattern of interlocking lines etched into the bench, which represent the multitude of scarves that adorned the Kop and pitch in the immediate aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster, demonstrating unity and solidarity.
LFC has been working with the families on ideas to create something lasting that acknowledges survivors and all those who have come together to support the campaign.
A special plaque in front of the bench reads:
Liverpool Football Club and the families of the 97 extend their eternal gratitude to those supporters who endeavoured bravely to save the lives of others at Hillsborough on the 15th April 1989.
You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Thanks to Peter Carney for his help and input with the wording for the bench.
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The directors and members of the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance said: “We welcome the club commissioning a bench in recognition of the survivors of Hillsborough, and their families.
“The bench stands not only as a symbol of the decades-long struggle for truth and justice but also as a place of reflection for survivors, a reminder of those lost, and a beacon of hope for the future.
“There are many untold stories, and broken families left in the wake of the Hillsborough tragedy. Thirty-five years on, the impact continues to be felt by families, survivors, and our community.
“As we approach the anniversary on April 15, 2024, we invite all to join us in a moment of reflection and remembrance. The unveiling of the memorial bench will serve as a testament to the strength found in unity and the resilience of the human spirit. May we draw strength from one another as we continue to navigate the challenges of survival and healing.
“Unity is Strength. Together, we honour the past and embrace the future with hope and resilience.”
The club marked the Hillsborough anniversary at the women’s team’s match against Manchester City on Saturday March 30 at Prenton Park, and will do so again at the men’s fixture versus Crystal Palace on Sunday at Anfield with black armbands and a period of silence ahead of kick-off.
There will also be a mosaic displayed on the Kop at the Crystal Palace game, and on Monday players and staff across the club will fall silent at 3.06pm to observe a minute of silence in memory of the 97 men, women and children who lost their lives.