Everton have unveiled a permanent tribute at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, marking the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster and honouring the 97 football fans who died in 1989.
The fans, many of them young, were crushed in an overcrowded, fenced-in enclosure at the ground in Sheffield, northern England, at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. It was one of the world’s worst stadium disasters.
The memorial depicts two young mascots holding hands – a girl wearing an Everton shirt with the number nine and a boy in Liverpool red with the number seven – symbolising unity that transcends the clubs’ historic Merseyside rivalry.
“Everton welcomed representatives of the Hillsborough families, and friends from Liverpool Football Club, to Hill Dickinson Stadium today to pay respects to the 97,” Everton said in a statement.
In a separate post on X, Everton wrote: “Remembering the 97 on the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. A tragic day for football and our city.
“Forever in our thoughts.”
Liverpool greats Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush laid floral tributes on behalf of the club at the unveiling.
Everton host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. It will be the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium after the Toffees left Goodison Park last year.
There is more than just bragging rights on the line as well, with Everton having ambitions of catching their local rivals in the Premier League table.
Liverpool are currently fifth in the table, occupying the final Champions League qualification spot.
However, Everton are only five points further back in eighth, and will close the gap to just two points if they can win on Sunday.
Liverpool won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Anfield in September, with Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike scoring the goals for Arne Slot’s side.
