Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers and Everton counterpart
Roberto Martinez gave heartfelt speeches at Tuesday's Hillsborough memorial
service.
The ceremony marked the 25th anniversary of the disaster
which claimed the lives of 96 fans during the FA Cup semi-final between
Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.
After the names of the victims had been read out by
religious leaders from across the city in front of a new permanent memorial,
the managers of Merseyside's two Premier League clubs took to the lectern to
address those who had gathered inside Anfield for the service.
Martinez, who began by reading a passage from the Bible,
spoke of being a 15-year-old "football-mad kid" from a
"football-mad family" when he first heard the news 25 years ago.
"As a family, we couldn't believe the pain and
horror," he recalled.
"How can anyone die watching the game you love? That
isn't right, that isn't fair."
The Spaniard - speaking without any form of script - also
moved to reassure Liverpool fans that they would always find support across
Stanley Park at Goodison.
"I don't have to tell you Everton are with you, you
know that," he added. "Everton remembers, we always will."
Liverpool boss Rodgers was next to take his place in
front of the Kop, again reading initially from the Bible before speaking of the
inspiration that he finds every day as manager of the club that he has led to
the top of the Premier League this season.
But the Northern Irishman stressed: "The single
biggest source of inspiration for me is when I arrive each match day and see
the Hillsborough memorial.
"You've all stood for 25 years together… the love
for the people you lost inspires me every day as manager of Liverpool football
club."
Rodgers also paid tribute to Kenny Dalglish - manager at
the time of the disaster - saying that the club had been "blessed" to
have the Scot at a time of "darkness".
He closed his speech by reciting a poignant line from the
club's anthem: "You'll never walk alone."
Culled from Soccerway
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