Plaque unveiled at home of Liverpool FC to mark 25th anniversary of Heysel disaster
May 27 2010 by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo
A SPECIAL vow of friendship was extended from Liverpool FC to Juventus on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Heysel disaster.
The first permanent tribute at Anfield to those killed in the 1985 tragedy was unveiled yesterday at midday.
Phil Neal, the Reds captain at that European Cup final, and Sergio Brio, a Juve player who also played in the match, met outside the Centenary Stand.
Black curtains were drawn back to reveal a black plaque on the stand which simply read: “In memoria e amicizia’
Club chaplain Bill Bygroves delivered an emotional address to the party of Liverpool and Juventus officials present.
He said: “We cannot change our history or dry up all our tears. We cannot solve the mysteries still unanswered down these years.
“But we can, for all our children’s sake and for the 39, build a monument of friendship which will stand the test of time.
“It is estimated the average person can live 40 days without food, five days without water, eight minutes without air, but only one second without hope.
“The anthem of this club is ‘walk on with hope in your heart’.
“We would ask you to express to those who continue to walk many miles with sorrow they should walk on with hope in their heart.
“And from this club, to your club, to our friends in Italy, please say ‘you do not stand alone, you do not grieve alone and you do not walk alone’.â€
Reds ambassador Kenny Dalglish, who played in the 1985 final, was present along with assistant manager Sammy Lee.
Anfield managing director Christian Purslow, chief financial officer Philip Nash and Juventus’ director of youth development Gianluca Pessotto also represented the clubs at yesterday’s unveiling.
Nunzia Bertali, of the Italian Consul, Liverpool Lord Mayor Cllr Hazel Williams, city council leader Joe Anderson and Walton MP Steve Rotheram attended.
Later this week, a delegation from Liverpool FC will visit Turin to attend the commemoration events.
May 27 2010 by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo
A SPECIAL vow of friendship was extended from Liverpool FC to Juventus on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Heysel disaster.
The first permanent tribute at Anfield to those killed in the 1985 tragedy was unveiled yesterday at midday.
Phil Neal, the Reds captain at that European Cup final, and Sergio Brio, a Juve player who also played in the match, met outside the Centenary Stand.
Black curtains were drawn back to reveal a black plaque on the stand which simply read: “In memoria e amicizia’
Club chaplain Bill Bygroves delivered an emotional address to the party of Liverpool and Juventus officials present.
He said: “We cannot change our history or dry up all our tears. We cannot solve the mysteries still unanswered down these years.
“But we can, for all our children’s sake and for the 39, build a monument of friendship which will stand the test of time.
“It is estimated the average person can live 40 days without food, five days without water, eight minutes without air, but only one second without hope.
“The anthem of this club is ‘walk on with hope in your heart’.
“We would ask you to express to those who continue to walk many miles with sorrow they should walk on with hope in their heart.
“And from this club, to your club, to our friends in Italy, please say ‘you do not stand alone, you do not grieve alone and you do not walk alone’.â€
Reds ambassador Kenny Dalglish, who played in the 1985 final, was present along with assistant manager Sammy Lee.
Anfield managing director Christian Purslow, chief financial officer Philip Nash and Juventus’ director of youth development Gianluca Pessotto also represented the clubs at yesterday’s unveiling.
Nunzia Bertali, of the Italian Consul, Liverpool Lord Mayor Cllr Hazel Williams, city council leader Joe Anderson and Walton MP Steve Rotheram attended.
Later this week, a delegation from Liverpool FC will visit Turin to attend the commemoration events.
