Everton fans’ tribute to the families of the 96 people who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster has capped off a truly emotional week in English football.
After a fight that has spanned the course of four separate decades, families of the 96 finally got the justice and closure they deserved this week, after an inquest found the victims were unlawfully killed.
A theme of the fight for justice has been the coming together of fans of all teams, and Everton set aside time before their match against Bournemouth today to applaud the families who have fought so hard for justice.
Some family members were invited to Goodison Park as special guests of the club, and took to the pitch before the match to applause from the crowd.
Genuinely emotional moment at Goodison Park as whole ground stands to applaud Hillsborough families #JFT96 pic.twitter.com/4rUul9T2NP
— Carl Markham (@carlmarkham) April 30, 2016
The families were well received by the Goodison crowd:
Incredible reception for families of Hillsborough victims, introduced to Goodison before kick-off. "We salute your victory."
— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) April 30, 2016
Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall, who lost her 18-year-old son James in the disaster, said after the results of the inquest this week:
“Let’s be honest about this – people were against us. We had the media against us, as well as the establishment.
“Everything was against us. The only people that weren’t against us was our own city. That’s why I am so grateful to my city and so proud of my city. They always believed in us.
“I think we have changed a part of history now – I think that’s the legacy the 96 have left.”
