A variety of musicians connected with the city of Liverpool have gathered to record a new single to honour those affected by the Hillsborough disaster.
Liverpool FC were to play Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup Semi Final in 1989 when the disaster occurred. Held at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillborough ground, as usual Liverpool’s supporters gathered in great numbers eager to see their all conquering team play.
Sadly, many of those who attended the game did not return home. Mistakes on the ground and mis-communication between officials led to a crush in the ground’s Leppings Lane End. The game began but was soon abandoned as the scale of the problem became clear.
Hundreds of fans were being crushed in the enclosure, with supporters battling to get clear of the disaster. One of the saddest days in the history of English football, in total 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives in the incident.
The tragedy hugely affected the city, the football club and the nation in general. As a result of the disaster stadiums across the nation were redesigned, with Hillsborough now regarded as one of the most modern stadiums in European football.
The new single sees some of the most famous names from the Liverpool music scene gather to honour fans affected by the tragedy. Playing a version of fans’ favourite ‘Fields Of Anthenry’ (retitled ‘Fields Of Anfield Road’) the group include John Power (The La’s, Cast) and James Walsh of Starsailor.
The musicians will be joined by the ‘Kop Choir’ which is made up of Liverpool players from the past. Phil Thompson, John Aldridge, Bruce Grobbelaar, Howard Gayle and Alan Kennedy are also set to sing on the track, and the players will be joined by Kenny Dalglish. The Scottish football legend was greatly affected by the tragedy, and personally attended many of the funerals of those who died in the disaster.
The 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster falls on April 15th.
The new version of ‘Fields Of Anfield Road’ is released on April 6th – send it to number one please.
