Alex Gerrard has paid tribute to the people who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.The wife of soccer star Steven Gerrard took the time to post a message to her Twitter followers on Tuesday morning, on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.Her professional sportsman spouse lost his cousin on the day as Liverpool played Nottingham Forest, the youngest victim of the 96 people who died.
Steven Gerrard leads Liverpool players at today's Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service
Steven attended today's 25th anniversary memorial service with the entire Liverpool football team, who all paid tribute to the 96 in front of the 25,000 in attendance.
The devastating events in 1989 are still felt today as a new inquest was opened up in December 2012 to examine the 96 deaths and to reevaulate all the evidence.
Bells rung 96 times across Merseyside today at the one-minute silence at 15:06 and today's annual memorial service at Anfield, the home of Liverpool FC, saw fans, players and club officials gather.
Scarves were left on the seats in memory of those who died, and the service began with the singing of the hymn, Abide With Me, which is synonymous with the FA Cup and has been sung at every final since 1927.Speeches were followed by a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone, led by the singer Gerry Marsden, during which 96 balloons were released.During Sunday's match with Manchester City FC, Steven broke down at the end of the game. "The reason I was so emotional was because of when this game fell," said the 33-year-old.Before the match the stadium fell silent for a minute's silence. 96 seats were left open for those who went to the football game in 1989 and never went home.
Former Liverpool star Michael Owen used the acronym for the words the football club has written over its Anfield stadium front gates to pay tribute.He wrote: "To the 96 fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough 25 years ago today.... YNWA."
Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC hold a one minute silence before Sunday's game
They weren’t the only one to pay their respects as the likes of British Prime Minister David Cameron and pop star H from Steps – real name Ian H Watkins – posted about it on Twitter too.
Over the weekend plenty more stars mentioned the upcoming anniversary as Steven Gerrard broke down in tears when LFC beat Manchester City at 3-2 home in Anfield stadium.
Spice Girl Melanie C wrote on Sunday: "Amazing passion show by the remarkable Liverpool fans before the game. For the 96 Hillsborough disaster. "Apprentice UK star Lord Alan Sugar posted the same message.