Seats kept for the Hillsborough 96

Aug 22 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

Picture of Liverpool FC's new stadium plans

LIVERPOOL FC may commemorate the victims of the Hillsborough disaster at the club’s new stadium by leaving 96 seats permanently empty.

The fans died after being crushed on the terraces during an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in 1989.

A flame and memorial listing the names of the dead already stands on Anfield Road and the club plans to move it to the new stadium in Stanley Park.

Another idea to honour the victims is to have 96 lights leading the way from Anfield to the club’s new stadium.

The empty seats could possibly be arranged in the shape of the number 96, and the plan has been enthusiastically welcomed by relatives of those killed.

Hillsborough Family Support Group chairman Phil Hammond, whose 14-year-old son Philip died in the tragedy, said: “It sounds like a good idea. It’s really good of the club to be considering this.

“Hopefully the 96 seats will be in the shape of the number 96 so it really stands out from above.”

A source said the proposal was among several being considered to act as a memorial when the club moves a few miles across Stanley Park to its new home, which could eventually seat 80,000.

He said: “It’s not definite yet but one plan would be to have a light for each fan who died.

“They would be artistically and tastefully done and lead the way from Anfield to the new Anfield.”

Club spokesman Ian Cotton said: “We’re aware of the suggestions being made but nothing has been decided.

“The club is considering the proposal very carefully and will make a decision in due course.”

An inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster led to all-seater stadiums being introduced into top-flight football.

A campaign demanding justice for the 96 was reignited last season after former Sun editor Kelvin McKenzie spoke out about the disaster at a business lunch in Newcastle.

McKenzie was the editor of the national newspaper when it ran a front page story headlined The Truth, which alleged Liverpool fans stole from the pockets of those crushed to death in the tragedy. Reaction to the article provoked an apology from the Sun, which has since been repeated.

But McKenzie told guests at the lunch last December he was not sorry for the story and insisted it was truthful.

His comments sparked protests.

alanweston@dailypost.co.uk