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Hillsborough disaster: Bells rung to mark anniversary Hillsborough disaster: Bells rung to mark anniversary
(34 minutes later)
Bells have been rung 96 times across Merseyside to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.Bells have been rung 96 times across Merseyside to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
The bells of Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool Town Hall and churches in Merseyside rang at 15:06 BST during a one-minute silence.The bells of Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool Town Hall and churches in Merseyside rang at 15:06 BST during a one-minute silence.
It marked the moment Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final at the Sheffield ground was halted on 15 April 1989 after a crush that led to the deaths of 96 fans.It marked the moment Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final at the Sheffield ground was halted on 15 April 1989 after a crush that led to the deaths of 96 fans.
An annual memorial service is also under way at Anfield stadium. An annual memorial service was held at Anfield stadium.
'You're not alone' 'Source of inspiration'
Campaigner Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, and other families of victims were clapped as they arrived in the stadium for the service. Campaigner Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, and other families of victims were clapped as they arrived in the stadium.
Fans, players and club officials also gathered in the ground for the service, which began at 14:45 BST. Fans, players and club officials also gathered in the ground. Ninety-six seats, which were draped in scarves, were left empty.
Ninety-six seats, which were draped in scarves, were left empty at the stadium.
The service began with the singing of the hymn, Abide With Me, which is synonymous with the FA Cup and has been sung at every final since 1927. It was also recorded as part of a charity single in memory of the victims in 1989.The service began with the singing of the hymn, Abide With Me, which is synonymous with the FA Cup and has been sung at every final since 1927. It was also recorded as part of a charity single in memory of the victims in 1989.
A ring of lights called the Band of Life, with each light inscribed with the name of a victim, was lit as the names of those who died were read out by the Reverend Kelvin Bolton, the Reverend David Smith and Father Stephen Maloney.A ring of lights called the Band of Life, with each light inscribed with the name of a victim, was lit as the names of those who died were read out by the Reverend Kelvin Bolton, the Reverend David Smith and Father Stephen Maloney.
A minute's silence followed, which Rev Bolton ended with the words "a time never to forget".A minute's silence followed, which Rev Bolton ended with the words "a time never to forget".
Taking the first reading, Everton manager Roberto Martinez said he was was only 15 when the disaster happened and that "as a family, we couldn't believe the pain and horror".Taking the first reading, Everton manager Roberto Martinez said he was was only 15 when the disaster happened and that "as a family, we couldn't believe the pain and horror".
He said he was there representing his club, adding that "Everton remembers - we always will".He said he was there representing his club, adding that "Everton remembers - we always will".
The service has also been screened at Everton's ground, Goodison Park, for fans to pay their respects. The service was also screened at Everton's ground, Goodison Park, for fans to pay their respects.
He was followed by Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers, who said that while "you don't struggle for inspiration when you work for this great football club, the single biggest source of inspiration for me is when I arrive each match day and see the Hillsborough memorial". Martinez was followed by Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers, who said that while "you don't struggle for inspiration when you work for this great football club, the single biggest source of inspiration for me is when I arrive each match day and see the Hillsborough memorial".
Speaking to the families of the victims, Rogers said they had "all stood for 25 years together [and] the love for the people you lost inspires me every day as manager".Speaking to the families of the victims, Rogers said they had "all stood for 25 years together [and] the love for the people you lost inspires me every day as manager".
"I really do feel inadequate in your company [and] to be asked to do a reading is a great honour. You will never walk alone.""I really do feel inadequate in your company [and] to be asked to do a reading is a great honour. You will never walk alone."
Speaking before the service, Amy McGlone, whose father was one of the Hillsborough disaster's victims, said the annual event was "like going to a funeral every year". 'You're not alone'
"The heartache that's there most of the time... just seems 10 times worse on the 15th." Leigh MP Andy Burnham, who had been booed at a Hillsborough memorial service in 2009 while delivering a speech as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, thanked the families of the victims and the members of the Hillsborough Independent Panel.
Alan McGlone, from Kirkby, Merseyside, died aged 28. In a speech which saw several standing ovations for the people he mentioned, including campaigner Anne Williams who died shortly after the memorial service last April, he said he had asked his mother what he should speak about.
His other daughter Claire added: "You realise when you're there [at the memorial service] that you're not alone." He said she "told me to wish you all the best for the league and to say how fitting it would be if you won it in this of all years".
He also praised former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish for his work with the families over the last 25 years, adding, "what leadership, what loyalty he has shown on your behalf".
In Sheffield, the city's cathedral held a two-minute silence at 15:07 BST.In Sheffield, the city's cathedral held a two-minute silence at 15:07 BST.
At the Hillsborough ground, a short service and a wreath-laying ceremony also took place at the memorial garden.At the Hillsborough ground, a short service and a wreath-laying ceremony also took place at the memorial garden.
The stadium will remain open for people to lay flowers and remember the 96 Liverpool fans who died at the match against Nottingham Forest.The stadium will remain open for people to lay flowers and remember the 96 Liverpool fans who died at the match against Nottingham Forest.
A one-minute silence was observed at Old Market Square in Nottingham for the victims.A one-minute silence was observed at Old Market Square in Nottingham for the victims.
Julie Fallon, whose brother Andrew died, said: "The city of Liverpool and Anfield have been incredibly supportive over the years.
'Sign of unity'
"I suppose in the quiet moments in the memorial, even though you are surrounded by thousands of people... I think each family then becomes insular for those moments really and just remembering what it means for them."
Julie's brother, whose full name was Colin Andrew Hugh William Sefton, and who came from Skelmersdale in Lancashire, died aged 23.
Many of the footballers who were playing for Liverpool on the day of the disaster and former manager Kenny Dalglish have attended the annual Hillsborough Family Support Group event.
Bruce Grobbelaar, the Liverpool goalkeeper on the day of the disaster, has travelled from Canada to attend the service for the first time in 10 years.
He said the disaster was a defining moment in his Liverpool career that he had never forgotten.
"Every year, at this time, you will always think of that day - I think about them and I go to church and I pray," he said.
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "On the 25th anniversary of Hillsborough, my thoughts are with the families of the 96, the survivors and all those affected by the tragedy."
Leader of the opposition Ed Miliband tweeted: "My thoughts are at Anfield today, and with all those who lost friends and loved ones at Hillsborough. They will never be forgotten."
Scarves from every club in the top four divisions were laid on the pitch to create a number 96 at Anfield as a "sign of unity" for the service, a spokesman for Liverpool said.Scarves from every club in the top four divisions were laid on the pitch to create a number 96 at Anfield as a "sign of unity" for the service, a spokesman for Liverpool said.
The city's mayor Joe Anderson said he hoped everyone in Liverpool and across the region would observe the one-minute silence at 15:06 BST.The city's mayor Joe Anderson said he hoped everyone in Liverpool and across the region would observe the one-minute silence at 15:06 BST.
"We will never forget those who died at Hillsborough, and this is a day for us to unite as a city and remember each and every supporter and the friends and families left behind", he said."We will never forget those who died at Hillsborough, and this is a day for us to unite as a city and remember each and every supporter and the friends and families left behind", he said.
Tuesday's events follow a weekend of tributes to the 96 fans, which saw wreaths left at Anfield's and Hillsborough's memorials to those who died and football matches in leagues across England kick-off seven minutes late.Tuesday's events follow a weekend of tributes to the 96 fans, which saw wreaths left at Anfield's and Hillsborough's memorials to those who died and football matches in leagues across England kick-off seven minutes late.
The commemorations come as fresh inquests into the deaths of the fans are held in Warrington. The inquests have been adjourned until 22 April.The commemorations come as fresh inquests into the deaths of the fans are held in Warrington. The inquests have been adjourned until 22 April.
They were ordered after the original accidental death inquest verdicts were quashed in 2012 following an independent report.They were ordered after the original accidental death inquest verdicts were quashed in 2012 following an independent report.