Hundreds mark Hillsborough anniversary in city
HUNDREDS of people gathered at different events in Nottingham this afternoon to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.
In the Old Market Square around 500 people took part in a a two-minute silence, as Nottingham joined the cities of Liverpool and Sheffield in paying their respects to the 96 people who died in the disaster.
Forest fan Jim Marriott, 54, from Carlton, attended with his son Sam, 14.
He said: "Respect brings me here this afternoon. I have three brothers who were at the match, so my family was very deeply affected by what they saw. We were in shock and disbelief and there was a sense of nationwide grief.
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"On a day like today it brings it all back and you want to remember those who died."
The Lord Mayor and the Sheriff of Nottingham were also at the scene for the two-minute silence at 3.06pm. That was the time when the FA Cup semi-final game between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was stopped because of the tragic events that were unfolding.
After the silence, church bells rang 96 times in remembrance of those who lost their lives. You'll Never Walk Alone was then played, with the crowd joining in, before they broke into spontaneous applause.
Buses passing through the Old Market Square came to a standstill, and Nottingham Forest's City Ground flag was flying at half mast.
Silences also took place in four main neighbourhood centres in the city – Bulwell (Market Square), Clifton (Clifton Cornerstone), Hyson Green (Mary Potter Centre) and Sherwood (Sherwood Library).
Books of Condolence were available for people to sign at the four venues and at the Council House.
City Council Leader, Jon Collins, said: "As one of the three cities directly involved in the tragic events at Hillsborough 20 years ago, it's important that Nottingham remembers the 96 people who lost their lives and the tragedy it brought to their families.
"I was at the game myself but like many people who were there, it wasn't until travelling home to Nottingham in the car that I found out the scale of what had happened.
"It's not just about those who were at the game or even football. All the people of Liverpool, Sheffield and Nottingham shared the sense of grief in the weeks that followed the tragedy.
"So it's fitting that people in the three cities should join together again to mark the 20th anniversary in a shared act of remembrance."
Comments
by SCOTT, NOTTINGHAM
Thursday, April 16 2009, 12:06PM
“mark, martin. totally agree with you. if the liverpool supporters without tickets didn't try to force thier way through the turnstiles, crushing thier own supporters and forcing the police to open the gates we would not be talking about this now. fact !”
by paul andrew, Nottingham
Thursday, April 16 2009, 11:59AM
“Martin, you are a loud mouth cowardly idiot”
by Martin, Sherwood
Thursday, April 16 2009, 8:24AM
“Paul - please don't insult our intelligence. It's obvious that the only peoplw who did any murdering that day were the thousands of drunk, ticketless 'fans' who turned up at 2.55 and violently pushed their way in.
They were probably the same people who yesterday booed the Government bloke demanding 'justice' - while refusing to accept even an inch of responsibility. Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.
Meanwhile, a couple of thousand of us gathered in Nottingham, paid our respects in absolute silence - and for once forgot about the appalling attitude the Liverpool people have showed towards towards us over the last 20 years.
It's called having a little class and dignity. Nottingham people have it, Liverpool people shamefully, yet again, demonstrated they have neither yesterday at Anfield.
I feel so sorry for the families of the dead, who will never get justice until their own admit their part in it.”
by Mark, Mapperley
Thursday, April 16 2009, 8:22AM
“It must be the fault of the police that thousands of scousers turned up without tickets, and got wasted, and tried to get in for free,it must of been the police again at Hysel as well, just admit it, you killed your own.”
by PAUL, Nottingham
Thursday, April 16 2009, 4:46AM
“How can the Police officers involved in the Hillsborough tragedy sleep at night after "MURDERING" those poor fans, but then again thats the police state we live in,,,,,,,,,,,R.I.P. "THE 96"”
by paul, nottingham
Thursday, April 16 2009, 4:36AM
“in reply to "barry teh nose" you talk like an idiot, you wouldnt have the bottle to say that in Liverpool, you are typical of alot of forest fans, trouble is you let your jealousy of liverpool get too personal. SILLY PERSON.”
by willylad, The Nuthall
Thursday, April 16 2009, 12:39AM
“And i was there on the day. In the seats close to the Leppings Lane end. Couldn't beleive how packed the Liverpool end was when I got to my seat at about 14:55. We saw a lot of people affected injuries but didn't know there had been many deaths until getting into the car and turnting on the radio to drive back to Nottm. Shame about the idiots on here talking rubbish. We know Liverpool fans are fanatical and they can be very emotional. They also have massive support, just like Celtic, just like Newcastle etc but what happened could have happened anywhere at any big match back then. I doubt it would happen again - in England anyway. Football in England back then was played in incredible atmosphere but with a lot of danger. Those days are gone.”
by Bob, Calverton
Thursday, April 16 2009, 12:19AM
“And so the inevitable...what should have been a solemn and respectful tribute to the dead degenerates into insults and apportioning blame...such a shame.
Rest well the 96”
by Barry teh Nose, Teh Joe
Wednesday, April 15 2009, 11:28PM
“It is no coincidence that all these football tragedys have involved Liverpool. Scousers all seem to think they're on a 24/7 rehersal for Brookside. They love the drama. Heysel, Hillsborough... they'd have cried more if it had been another football club.
Serious, when that plane came down over Lockerbie all them yrs ago there was extreme mourning in Liverpool... they wanted it to have come down on some Merseyside slum... what an excuse for more public grieving!
Scousers = drama queens...”
by Barry teh Nose, Teh Joe
Wednesday, April 15 2009, 11:22PM
“Hillsborough - 20,000 Scousers and not one of thought to say "calm down"”