Hillsborough tribute CD released

Ninety-six Liverpool FC supporters died at in the Hillsborough disaster

Legendary Merseyside musicians are to release a record to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough football disaster.

Members of The La's, The Farm, Shack, Echo and the Bunnymen and Starsailor have collaborated on the song.

Past and present Liverpool FC players and families of the 96 people who died will be at the record's launch at music venue The Picket on Thursday.

The CD will be called the "Fields of Anfield Road".

'Overwhelming response'

The 96 fans were crushed to death at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium when Liverpool took on Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup semi-final on 15 April 1989.

It is considered Britain's worst sporting disaster.

Councillor Steve Rotheram, who is leading a week-long series of Hillsborough remembrance events, said: "Hillsborough affected so many lives, not just on Merseyside but across the whole of the UK.

"I attended the match 20 years ago and the passing years do not diminish the importance and the poignancy of this occasion.

It is a reworking of a Kop classic and I hope it raises awareness of the Hillsborough disaster and is a fitting tribute to the 96 and the survivors

Peter Hooton, The Farm

"This record, the memorial service at Anfield and all the other Hillsborough remembrance events are a symbol of the fact that we will never forget the 96 young and old Liverpool fans who died."

Peter Hooton, from The Farm, said: "Before Christmas the Lord Mayor Steve Rotheram got in touch and asked about the feasibility of doing this.

"I spoke with friends and colleagues to see if they would support the project and there was an overwhelming response.

"Because of the nature of the song a lot of people volunteered to get involved. It is a reworking of a Kop classic and I hope it raises awareness of the Hillsborough disaster and is a fitting tribute to the 96 and the survivors."

Trevor Hicks of the Hillsborough Family Support group said the CD would be a "commemoration of our loved ones".

"Some of our members actually sing on it and we think it is a great way to bring musical talent, football talent, a specially adapted Kop Anthem and the wider "Liverpool Family" together in an entertaining but respectful way."

Thousands of people are expected to attend a memorial ceremony at Anfield on 15 April when the Lord Mayor will present the CD to club officials.