Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has made a substantial donation to the Hillsborough Family Support Group and thanked Evertonians fans for their continued support…
Passions and loyalty will run high, and possibly boil over, tonight when neighbours Liverpool and Everton contest the 222nd Merseyside Derby.
It’s more than a football match; it’s an occasion that divides a city and brings it to a standstill.
Despite the fierce rivalry, Hillsborough is one subject that brings together all Merseysiders, and football fans in general, regardless of their allegiance.
The ongoing search for truth and justice has seen numerous outpourings of solidarity over the years and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is eager to use his position to keep the collective fight in the spotlight.
The 33-year-old has more reason than most to mourn the fateful day in 1989 when 96 fans lost their lives at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest; Gerrard’s cousin Jon Paul Gilhooley was the youngest of the victims.
The Hillsborough Family Support Group was founded in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy and represents 74 of the families who suffered a loss.
After presenting a cheque to the organisation for the significant amount of £96,000, Gerrard commented: “I just think I’m in a position to do it.
“I think it’s a nice gesture and also with the connection I’ve got to Hillsborough, with my own family, it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while.
“I think the timing’s right and having spoken to the club I’ve decided to do it now.
“It had been in the media a lot so I didn’t think it was needed where I had to step in and keep it on everyone’s lips and in everyone’s minds.
“But now it’s gone a little bit quiet over the last couple of weeks, I think the timing’s really good to get it back out there – sending another message out about how much we really want this justice.”
On the subject of the support received from Everton FC and the club’s fans, the midfielder thanked them for their continued dedication to the cause.
“Their show of support has been there since the tragedy happened,” reflected Gerrard.
“But alongside the gesture I am making, I and every other Liverpool fan can only thank the Evertonians for their support.
“I’m not saying that to try and get in any Everton fans’ good books because I understand my own personal rivalry with them. But it’s there for everyone to see – the support they’ve given us which is very touching.”
Fresh inquests into the deaths will begin in March after the original accidental death verdicts were quashed in 2012 following an independent report.
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