Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was in tears on Friday as the football club and the city paid their respects on the 22nd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. The Spaniard, who was manager of Liverpool from 2004 to 2010, during which time they won the European Cup in 2005 for the fifth time, was seen wiping tears from his eyes with a handkerchief.
96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death and 766 were injured on 15th April 1989 at Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield - the home of Sheffield Wednesday - during an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. The match was abandoned after just six minutes.
Thousands of Liverpool fans and dignitaries gathered at Anfield stadium on Friday to pay their respects to the victims. Also present were the Liverpool team and their manager Kenny Dalglish, who was also manager of the team on that fateful day 22 years ago.
Now the team and its fans are calling for the Scotsman - who is extremely popular with Liverpool fans and who came back to start a second spell as manager in January - to be knighted.
Former Lord Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotherham MP told fans at the memorial service that the families of Hillsborough victims had asked him to put down an Early Day Motion requesting that the Queen confer a knighthood on the Liverpool manager.
Mr Rotherham said it was 'so that on all our behalf the King of the Kop can become Sir Kenny'. The announcement was met with cheers and a standing ovation from the Liverpool faithful and chants of 'Kenny'.
The dignified way Dalglish responded to the disaster in 1989 will never be forgotten by Liverpool fans. The Scot attended a large number of the funerals of supporters who died. The aftermath of the tragedy was one of the factors that contributed to him standing down in 1991.
Before the service, Dalglish - who is now in his second stint as manager of his beloved club - said that the families of the 96 supporters that died are close to obtaining the answers and justice for which they have been campaigning.
Tearful Rafa Benitez pays his respects at Hillsborough tribute as Kop calls for Kenny Dalglish to be knighted
By Sportsmail Reporter
16th April 2011
Daily Mail
Tragedy: 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death at Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield on April 15th 1989. It is the deadliest ever stadium disaster in British history.
Rafa Benitez was in tears at the Hillsborough memorial as the families of the 96 Liverpool fans killed in the disaster called for Kenny Dalglish to receive a knighthood.
Former manager Benitez was among the thousands at Anfield to pay their respects to those who died 22 years ago.
Captain Steven Gerrard and the rest of the players were present, along with manager Dalglish and a host of other Liverpool legends.
Emotional: Former boss Rafael Benitez (centre) wipes away a tear at the ground
Former Lord Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotherham MP told fans at a memorial service that the families had asked him to put down an Early Day Motion requesting that the Queen confer a knighthood on the Liverpool manager.
Mr Rotherham said it was 'so that on all our behalf the King of the Kop can become Sir Kenny'. The announcement was met with cheers and a standing ovation from the Liverpool faithful and chants of 'Kenny'.
Before the service, Dalglish said that the families of the 96 supporters that died are close to obtaining the answers and justice for which they have been campaigning.
Dalglish was also Liverpool boss on that fateful day in 1989, when the tragic events unfolded at an FA Cup semi-final between the Merseysiders and Nottingham Forest.
Lord Justice Taylor ruled afterwards that South Yorkshire police, Sheffield city council and Sheffield Wednesday FC were culpable. Despite this, nobody in authority has been held accountable.
Leader: Steven Gerrard joins the crowd at Anfield for the tribute
Disaster: Fans helping the injured after overcrowding led to the death of 96 supporters at the Sheffield stadium in 1989
An independent panel, chaired by the bishop of Liverpool James Jones, is currently examining documents relating to Hillsborough.
And Dalglish, who will attend a special memorial service said: I think it's getting closer to some positive news for the families, but it has taken a long time to get to this point as well.
'Two years ago Andy Burnham (then secretary of state for culture, media and sport) came up to the memorial service and promised that he would do the best he could to get access to some papers that were not due to be released for another three or four years and to the man's great credit he has done that.
'They have got access now to some papers that they've never had before and have now got to file through them and that's why I'm saying it's getting a bit more positive for the families.'
Tribute: A Liverpool fan stops to reflect next to the Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield
The dignified way Dalglish responded to the disaster in 1989 will never be forgotten by Liverpool fans. The Scot attended a large number of the funerals of supporters who died. The aftermath of the tragedy was one of the factors that contributed to him standing down in 1991.
'I don't think what happened there will ever be removed from anybody and neither should it,' said Dalglish. 'I don't think anybody should ever forget it. I suppose the people who where there are the ones who have the strongest opinion on it. There are people now passing an opinion on things but I'm sure had they been there they would have a different opinion.
Idol: Kenny Dalglish, 60, looks on during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on January 9, his first match in charge of Liverpool in his second stint as their manager. He is loved by Liverpool fans.
Dalglish looks on his horror during the events of 15th April 1989 during his first stint as Liverpool manager
'For ourselves also, it has been that long that there is a generation of our supporters now who know about it but obviously weren't there. I'm sure it is to the forefront of their minds as well.
'Everybody knows what it means to the football club and everybody knows how difficult it is for the people who lost someone there. The sooner they get the justice for themselves, the happier they will be and we all will be for them.'
dailymail.co.uk
96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death and 766 were injured on 15th April 1989 at Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield - the home of Sheffield Wednesday - during an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. The match was abandoned after just six minutes.
Thousands of Liverpool fans and dignitaries gathered at Anfield stadium on Friday to pay their respects to the victims. Also present were the Liverpool team and their manager Kenny Dalglish, who was also manager of the team on that fateful day 22 years ago.
Now the team and its fans are calling for the Scotsman - who is extremely popular with Liverpool fans and who came back to start a second spell as manager in January - to be knighted.
Former Lord Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotherham MP told fans at the memorial service that the families of Hillsborough victims had asked him to put down an Early Day Motion requesting that the Queen confer a knighthood on the Liverpool manager.
Mr Rotherham said it was 'so that on all our behalf the King of the Kop can become Sir Kenny'. The announcement was met with cheers and a standing ovation from the Liverpool faithful and chants of 'Kenny'.
The dignified way Dalglish responded to the disaster in 1989 will never be forgotten by Liverpool fans. The Scot attended a large number of the funerals of supporters who died. The aftermath of the tragedy was one of the factors that contributed to him standing down in 1991.
Before the service, Dalglish - who is now in his second stint as manager of his beloved club - said that the families of the 96 supporters that died are close to obtaining the answers and justice for which they have been campaigning.
Tearful Rafa Benitez pays his respects at Hillsborough tribute as Kop calls for Kenny Dalglish to be knighted
By Sportsmail Reporter
16th April 2011
Daily Mail
Tragedy: 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death at Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield on April 15th 1989. It is the deadliest ever stadium disaster in British history.
Rafa Benitez was in tears at the Hillsborough memorial as the families of the 96 Liverpool fans killed in the disaster called for Kenny Dalglish to receive a knighthood.
Former manager Benitez was among the thousands at Anfield to pay their respects to those who died 22 years ago.
Captain Steven Gerrard and the rest of the players were present, along with manager Dalglish and a host of other Liverpool legends.
Emotional: Former boss Rafael Benitez (centre) wipes away a tear at the ground
Former Lord Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotherham MP told fans at a memorial service that the families had asked him to put down an Early Day Motion requesting that the Queen confer a knighthood on the Liverpool manager.
Mr Rotherham said it was 'so that on all our behalf the King of the Kop can become Sir Kenny'. The announcement was met with cheers and a standing ovation from the Liverpool faithful and chants of 'Kenny'.
Before the service, Dalglish said that the families of the 96 supporters that died are close to obtaining the answers and justice for which they have been campaigning.
Dalglish was also Liverpool boss on that fateful day in 1989, when the tragic events unfolded at an FA Cup semi-final between the Merseysiders and Nottingham Forest.
Lord Justice Taylor ruled afterwards that South Yorkshire police, Sheffield city council and Sheffield Wednesday FC were culpable. Despite this, nobody in authority has been held accountable.
Leader: Steven Gerrard joins the crowd at Anfield for the tribute
Disaster: Fans helping the injured after overcrowding led to the death of 96 supporters at the Sheffield stadium in 1989
An independent panel, chaired by the bishop of Liverpool James Jones, is currently examining documents relating to Hillsborough.
And Dalglish, who will attend a special memorial service said: I think it's getting closer to some positive news for the families, but it has taken a long time to get to this point as well.
'Two years ago Andy Burnham (then secretary of state for culture, media and sport) came up to the memorial service and promised that he would do the best he could to get access to some papers that were not due to be released for another three or four years and to the man's great credit he has done that.
'They have got access now to some papers that they've never had before and have now got to file through them and that's why I'm saying it's getting a bit more positive for the families.'
Tribute: A Liverpool fan stops to reflect next to the Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield
The dignified way Dalglish responded to the disaster in 1989 will never be forgotten by Liverpool fans. The Scot attended a large number of the funerals of supporters who died. The aftermath of the tragedy was one of the factors that contributed to him standing down in 1991.
'I don't think what happened there will ever be removed from anybody and neither should it,' said Dalglish. 'I don't think anybody should ever forget it. I suppose the people who where there are the ones who have the strongest opinion on it. There are people now passing an opinion on things but I'm sure had they been there they would have a different opinion.
Idol: Kenny Dalglish, 60, looks on during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on January 9, his first match in charge of Liverpool in his second stint as their manager. He is loved by Liverpool fans.
Dalglish looks on his horror during the events of 15th April 1989 during his first stint as Liverpool manager
'For ourselves also, it has been that long that there is a generation of our supporters now who know about it but obviously weren't there. I'm sure it is to the forefront of their minds as well.
'Everybody knows what it means to the football club and everybody knows how difficult it is for the people who lost someone there. The sooner they get the justice for themselves, the happier they will be and we all will be for them.'
dailymail.co.uk
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