Football tragedy anniversary marked

12 April 2012

The first in a series of memorial events to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster is due to take place.

Survivors and relatives of the 96 victims will join past and present Liverpool players and some of the city's best known musicians to launch a song which commemorates the tragedy.

The disaster, on April 15 1989, happened after the kick-off of Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest when Liverpool fans at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium were crushed to death.

The Fields Of Anfield Road is based on Peter St John's Irish folk ballad Fields Of Athenry.

The song was recorded by John Power of the La's and Cast, Peter Hooton of The Farm, Nick Kilroe from Echo and the Bunnymen, James Walsh of Starsailor and Rob Taylor of the Troubadours.

Liverpool's Lord Mayor, Councillor Steve Rotheram, will lead a series of Hillsborough remembrance events leading up to the anniversary next month.

He said: "Hillsborough affected so many lives, not just on Merseyside but across the whole of the UK. I attended the match 20 years ago and the passing years do not diminish the importance and the poignancy of this occasion.

"This record, the memorial service at Anfield and all the other Hillsborough remembrance events are a symbol of the fact that we will never forget the 96 young and old Liverpool fans who died."

Thousands of people are expected to attend a memorial at Liverpool's Anfield stadium on April 15 where the Lord Mayor will present the CD to club officials. The song will be played at the ceremony.

It will also be released to buy on April 6 at the Anfield Club shop and on iTunes. All profits from the sale of the single will go towards the Hillsborough Families Support Group.

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