Aintree Racecourse rose as one to applaud the Hillsborough victims on the 34th anniversary of the disaster.
The tens of thousands of racegoers at this year's Grand National remembered those who died as a result of the tragedy with a minute's applause at 3.20pm. The Grand National Day falls on Saturday, April 15 - exactly 34 years on from the disaster.
The huge Aintree crowd, who had flocked from around the country for the iconic race meet, collectively came together to remember the 97 Liverpool fans who died during the FA Cup semi-final in 1989. Sir Kenny Dalglish, who was manager of Liverpool FC at the time of the Hillsborough disaster, said: "My thoughts are always with everyone affected by what happened at Hillsborough, and the anniversary each year is always a poignant day for the city of Liverpool.
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"While it is an event watched the world over, the Randox Grand National has always been synonymous with the local area so it’s a fantastic gesture by Aintree Racecourse and The Jockey Club to remember those who lost their loved ones in this way.
"It might be 34 years since 97 people went to a football match and didn’t come home but moments like this show that they will never be forgotten."
A message asking all racegoers to stand and applaud for the victims flashed up on a series of television monitors around the famous race ground. The beginning and end of the applause was marked by a loud beep, and while the applause rang out, a red and yellow sign with "never forgotten" was put on the monitors.
As well as Mr Dalglish, former Reds legend Ian Rush and Lord Mayor Roy Gladden led the applause. Racegoers, many of whom had told the ECHO earlier in the day they were supporters of Manchester United and City, stood together with the city of Liverpool and impeccably remembered the Liverpool fans.
Dickon White, Regional Director for The Jockey Club North West, said: "Aintree Racecourse and Liverpool FC both have indelible links to the city of Liverpool and form a huge part of its sporting heritage.
"With Grand National Day falling on the exact anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster for the first time ever in 2023, it seems only right that we will take some time to remember the 97 people who tragically lost their lives."
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