“Theirs is the greatest victory in the history of football.”
The city of Liverpool, and indeed the world of football, is united today in welcoming the verdict of a jury that has found the deaths of 96 football fans in 1989 at Hillsborough, was unlawful.
After a two-year inquest, the families of those killed in the tragedy have finally gained some sense of justice after the deaths of their loved ones 27 years ago.
The jury of nine people delivered their verdict of unlawful killing on a majority of 7-2, and the verdict has come as a huge relief to everyone on Merseyside.
Everton and Liverpool football clubs have always supported the efforts the families to get justice and, this afternoon, Liverpool’s city rivals have paid an emotional tribute on their own Facebook page to efforts of those who strived for justice.
Dozens of those who died in the stadium disaster had brothers and sisters who supported the Toffees and the tragedy has always been a unifying force between the close rivals.
Today’s verdict is likely to bring some closure to families of fans on both sides who saw their relatives caught up in the tragedy at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on 15 April 1989.
The Liverpool Echo front page sums up what an incredible day it has been for everyone in the city.
Liverpool ECHO special late edition. 'At the end of the storm is a golden sky' pic.twitter.com/Sz2f6ofH1y
— Peter Guy (@Getintothis) April 26, 2016
