Twenty years ago today more than 24,000 Liverpool fans travelled to a football match, the semi-final of the FA Cup. The match was played at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium. Due to the criminal disorganisation of the police and stadium officials, 96 Liverpool supporters never returned home that day. It was the worst disaster British football has ever seen.
The tragedy, the lies that were told to explain it and the lack of justice that followed it continue to haunt the city of Liverpool, its football supporters, and far Data Hk more significantly, the families of the victims.
I could discuss last night’s incredible game which is still ringing in my ears, but that story is for another day. On this day it is always about the 96. The number and the memories it signifies are etched in the fabric of the club.
Today the memorial service, which is held in the Kop at Anfield on 15th April each year, will be particularly poignant, particularly for those of us who poured into the stadium the day after the disaster.
Please, wherever you are today at 15:06 GMT, remember those who lost their lives and pray for their families.
Rest in peace
John Alfred Anderson (62)
Thomas Howard (39)
Colin Mark Ashcroft (19)
Thomas Anthony Howard (14)
James Gary Aspinall (18)
Eric George Hughes (42)
Kester Roger Marcus Ball (16)
Alan Johnston (29)
Gerard Bernard Patrick Baron (67)
Christine Anne Jones (27)
Simon Bell (17)
Gary Philip Jones (18)
Barry Sidney Bennett (26)
Richard Jones (25)
David John Benson (22)
Nicholas Peter Joynes (27)
David William Birtle (22)
Anthony Peter Kelly (29)
Tony Bland (22)
Michael David Kelly (38)
Paul David Brady (21)
Carl David Lewis (18)
Andrew Mark Brookes (26)
David William Mather (19)
Carl Brown (18)
Brian Christopher Mathews (38)
David Steven Brown (25)
Francis Joseph McAllister (27)
Henry Thomas Burke (47)
John McBrien (18)
Peter Andrew Burkett (24)
Marion Hazel McCabe (21)
Paul William Carlile (19)
Joseph Daniel McCarthy (21)
Raymond Thomas Chapman (50)
Peter McDonnell (21)
Gary Christopher Church (19)
Alan McGlone (28)
Joseph Clark (29)
Keith McGrath (17)
Paul Clark (18)
Paul Brian Murray (14)
Gary Collins (22) Lee Nicol (14)
Stephen Paul Copoc (20)
Stephen Francis O’Neill (17)
Tracey Elizabeth Cox (23)
Jonathon Owens (18)
James Philip Delaney (19)
William Roy Pemberton (23)
Christopher Barry Devonside (18)
Carl William Rimmer (21)
Christopher Edwards (29)
David George Rimmer (38)
Vincent Michael Fitzsimmons (34)
Graham John Roberts (24)
Thomas Steven Fox (21)
Steven Joseph Robinson (17)
Jon-Paul Gilhooley (10)
Henry Charles Rogers (17)
Barry Glover (27)
Colin Andrew Hugh William Sefton (23)
Ian Thomas Glover (20)
Inger Shah (38)
Derrick George Godwin (24)
Paula Ann Smith (26)
Roy Harry Hamilton (34)
Adam Edward Spearritt (14)
Philip Hammond (14)
Philip John Steele (15)
Eric Hankin (33)
David Leonard Thomas (23)
Gary Harrison (27) Patrik
John Thompson (35)
Stephen Francis Harrison (31)
Peter Reuben Thompson (30)
Peter Andrew Harrison (15)
Stuart Paul William Thompson (17)
David Hawley (39)
Peter Francis Tootle (21)
James Robert Hennessy (29)
Christopher James Traynor (26)
Paul Anthony Hewitson (26)
Martin Kevin Traynor (16)
Carl Darren Hewitt (17)
Kevin Tyrrell (15)
Nicholas Michael Hewitt (16)
Colin Wafer (19)
Sarah Louise Hicks (19)
Ian David Whelan (19)
Victoria Jane Hicks (15)
Martin Kenneth Wild (29)
Gordon Rodney Horn (20)
Kevin Daniel Williams (15)
Arthur Horrocks (41)
Graham John Wright (17)
Uruguay – Group B
Uruguay arrive in Chile with expectation to make their presence felt once more as a major power in South American football.
The majority of the squad were present at the u-15 equivalent of the tournament two years ago. On that occasion Uruguay finished second only to hosts Brazil and the same players are looking forward to a rematch on neutral ground.
Off the back of his performances in 2007 Uruguayan captain Diego Polenta was snapped up by the Italian outfit Genoa. The defensive lynchpin looked in fine form recently in friendlies against Bolivia and the U.S.A.
Uruguay played out a one-all draw with Bolivia but came alive two days later, putting the States to the sword by three goals to one.
Overseas interest has also come looking at forwards Jhon Pirez and Nicholas Mezquida from Chelsea and Schalke 04 respectively.
Another striker, Emiliano González has crossed the Rio de la Plata to sign for River Plate so there’s plenty of pedigree up front as well as in defense for Uruguay.
A good showing will make a welcome change for Uruguay at u-17 level. In their domestic championships they have finished 2nd twice, 3rd twice and 4th once but have never won the competition.
One to watch: Diego Polenta (Genoa)
Venezuela – Group B
Venezuela must negotiate their way out of a tricky group if they are to get anywhere near Nigeria for the World Cup.
Argentina and Uruguay are both fancied at the tournament and Chile have beaten Venezuela within the last year.
In preparation for Iquique the squad took themselves off to Florida, USA in March for a series of practice matches.
The tour started with a 3-1 loss against the University of Notre Dame and a 4-2 reverse against the University of Nebraska in the first two games. Rómulo Otero, Fernando Aristigueta and Luis Sadovnic getting on the scoresheet during the pair of defeats.
Next up was a double header against the U.S.A. u-17 team in their backyard at Bradenton. A nil-nil draw in the first game was followed by a 3-2 defeat in second, Otero and Josef Martínez getting the goals for Venezuela.
Coach Daniel de Oliveira was able to take many positives away from the trip to the States despite a disappointing series of results.
Since returning from Florida the team have been training in the Venezuelan coastal town of Higuerote. Here they have been put through their paces as well as taking time out to drub the local side 14-0.