Academy hosts educational youth tournament to mark Hillsborough anniversary

The event saw the club’s U9s, U10s and U11s play against teams from Everton, Nottingham Forest, Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday.

All players involved, as well as parents or guardians, also attended a Hillsborough educational workshop.

This combined The Real Truth Legacy with readings from Academy players, club chaplain Bill Bygroves and Ian Byrne, Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby. Margaret Aspinall also attended as a special guest speaker.

The educational setting was dressed with flags seen on the Kop on matchdays, which were loaned and organised by Peter Carney.

The Academy’s head of education, Caitlin Hawkins, said: “The Academy aims to raise awareness of what happened on April 15, 1989, but also to pay respect to the 97, as well as survivors and all those impacted.

“The Academy foundation phase Hillsborough festival is a great example of a blended footballing experience where learning can work in parallel with footballing opportunities.”

• Liverpool FC to mark 36th anniversary of Hillsborough