justice for The '96'

The great and the good connected with Liverpool Football Club and the city as a whole soon spoke out in favour of the verdict in a series of emotional and poignant social media messages.

England captain Rooney, a Liverpool native, said: 'At last justice for the 96 and their families. Well done to all who never gave up #jft96'

Liverpool legend and Sportsmail columnist Carragher tweeted simply: 'Justice finally. #JFT96'

Another Reds hero, Steven Gerrard posted a picture of the Liverpool memorial with the accompanying message: 'JFT 96 #YNWA', alluding to the club's anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone. 

Jim Beglin, one of the full backs in Liverpool's squad at the time of the disaster, said: 'Disgraceful for 27 years but finally JUSTICE - unlawful killing. Utmost respect for the families courage and determination. #JFT96'

Roy Evans, who played for the club between 1965 and 1974 and then became manager in the 1990s, said: 'Finally after 27 years what we've known all along has been confirmed. Thoughts with all the families an those affected. Justice for the 96 x'

Three-time European Cup winning midfielder Terry McDermott said: 'At long last we have Justice for those poor 96 souls #ynwa'

Michael Owen said: 'Finally and way, way, way overdue, the truth prevails and justice is served.' 

Another former Liverpool striker, Stan Collymore, tweeted: 'J U S T I C E A T L A S T !!!! #JFT96' 

Chief executive Ian Ayre released a statement later in the day hailing the 'humbling and inspirational' Hillsborough families and their 'tireless campaign'.

'After 27 long years the true verdict has finally been delivered, confirming what the families always believed – their loved ones were unlawfully killed,' he said.

'Liverpool Football Club welcomes the jury’s decision, once and for all, that our supporters were not in any way responsible for what happened at Hillsborough. We will always remember the selfless bravery and heroism of the many fans that helped their fellow supporters in the most harrowing of circumstances that day. We praise those who, since the beginning of the inquest, have had to find the courage and strength to re-live what they went through.

'Since April 15, 1989, the solidarity shown by Liverpool fans towards the families and survivors encapsulates the unique character of both the club and city. We are also hugely thankful for the unwavering support the wider football community has so generously shown these past 27 years.

'It has been a painful journey for the families and survivors, who have endured and sacrificed so much for so long. The resilience and dignity they have shown throughout their tireless campaign has been humbling and inspirational. Their conduct and actions throughout their struggle has brought pride to the city of Liverpool and will serve as a lasting tribute to the victims.

'The 96 men, women and children who were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough will never be forgotten.'

Everton put their rivalry with Liverpool to one side to release a statement showing Merseyside stood as one over Hillsborough.

'Everton Football Club salutes the Hillsborough families and their total vindication as Fighters for Justice.

'Theirs is the greatest victory in the history of football.

'RIP, the 96. Good night, God bless.

'From us across the Park.'

Former manager Rafa Benitez, who is beloved by many Liverpool fans after lending his support to the families campaigning for justice, also released a statement.

Benitez donated £96,000 to the Hillsborough Family Support Group in 2010 a week after his reign as Liverpool manager ended. The Spaniard was also spotted in tears at the Hillsborough memorial in 2011 when thousands turned out at Anfield to pay their respects to those who died in 1989.

The Newcastle United boss said: 'After so many years fighting for justice I am really pleased to see the verdict today, which confirms what we have been saying for a long time.

'I am especially pleased for the families of the 96 who have sought justice for so long and with such dignity, as well as for the people of Liverpool and for football fans in general.

'Hopefully this verdict today will ensure that this kind of tragedy can never happen again.'

The jurors were told they could only reach that determination if they were sure of four 'essential' matters concerning the deaths at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final.

They had to be convinced that overall match commander Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield owed a duty of care to those who died in the disaster, and that he was in breach of that duty of care.

Thirdly, they would need to be satisfied that his breach of duty caused the deaths and, fourthly, that it amounted to 'gross negligence'.

They concluded it was unlawful killing by a 7-2 majority.

The conclusion was greeted with sobbing and cheers at the hearing in Warrington.

The jury also ruled that fan behaviour did not cause or contribute to the tragedy.

The Hillsborough disaster unfolded during Liverpool's cup tie against Nottingham Forest on April 15 as thousands of fans were crushed at Sheffield Wednesday's ground.

Mr Duckenfield gave the order at 2.52pm to open exit Gate C in Leppings Lane, allowing around 2,000 fans to flood into the already packed central pens behind the goal. 

FOR THE families of those who were killed, it has been an interminably long wait. On April 15th 1989, in an overcrowded stand in the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield, 96 men, women and children were crushed to death; another 766 were injured. In the aftermath of the event, a police cover-up meant that fans of the visiting team, Liverpool Football Club, were blamed for the disaster. To this day, some survivors struggle to cope with what they saw on that sunny Saturday afternoon.

In the 27 years since then, campaigners have slowly wrung the truth from the institutions at fault. They have pushed for a series of inquiries, inquests and reports. As a result, it has emerged that the police managed the crowd poorly, lied about what happened and erased evidence. The ambulance service failed to spot the signs that something was terribly wrong. In a penny-pinching move, Sheffield Wednesday, the football club that plays at Hillsborough, had decided not to invest in the safety measures its crumbling home needed.

Although it has long been evident that Liverpool fans were not to blame for what happened, justice has so far evaded those who campaigned for it. A measure of justice was provided on April 26th as the result of an inquest held in a makeshift coroner’s court in Warrington, a town 16 miles from Liverpool. The jury declared, after sitting for two years, the longest such case in British legal history, that the 96 fans had been “unlawfully killed” and that Liverpool supporters had played no part in provoking the disaster. Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield, the policeman in charge of crowd control, was held responsible for manslaughter by gross negligence.