Andrew Devine: name of 97th victim of the Hillsborough disaster to be added to Anfield memorial

The 97th victim of the Hillsborough disaster is to have his name added to a memorial at Anfield on Friday.

Andrew Devine suffered life-changing injuries at the Hillsborough disaster during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final and passed away in July last year at the age of 55.

Coroner Mr Andre Rebello ruled Mr Devine was unlawfully killed, making him the 97th victim of the disaster.

Mr Devine was 22 when he went to watch Liverpool play Nottingham Forest, he was not expected to live beyond three months due to the severity of his injuries, but survived another 32 years.

He posthumously received the Freedom of the City of Liverpool last year alongside screenwriter Jimmy McGovern who created a programme about the Hillsborough disaster in 1996.

Mr Devine’s mother Hilary has described the award as an ‘honour’.

Liverpool FC have confirmed the engraving will take place on Friday, January 28, and a temporary hoarding will be erected around the memorial between 08:00 and 15:00 to allow the work to be completed safely.

Fans and visitors have been advised there will be no access to the memorial during this time and club has apologised for any inconvenience this may cause.

An LFC statement said: “Our stadium operations will endeavour to ensure the hoarding is removed at the earliest possible opportunity so that those who wish to pay their respects at the memorial can do so without disturbance.

“Any existing tributes will be removed and stored carefully during the works and will be replaced once completed.”

Andrew Devine’s name to be added to other memorials

Liverpool FC also said that Mr Devine’s name has been added to the Hillsborough memorial located at the club’s AXA Training Centre.

The statement added: “Alongside the changes to the memorials, we are also updating our tribute in the ‘Anfield Forever’ stones located on 97 Avenue in the coming weeks.

“Since the sad passing of Andrew, the club has reviewed all references to Hillsborough, both digital and physical. We have renamed 97 Avenue at Anfield, with new signage installed at the stadium, while updates to Liverpoolfc.com have also been finalised with the 97 emblem featuring across our digital channels.

“The club’s playing shirts will be updated for the 2022-23 season with the 97 emblem presented on the nape of the neck.

“We thank you for your patience and understanding throughout all these changes.

“The 97 will always be at the heart of Liverpool Football Club.”

Peter Scarfe, chair of the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance (HSA) said: “It is the right thing to do, we are so pleased it is getting done now and fantastic all the memorials are to be updated.”

A new plaque commemorating the 97 fans who died was added last weekend to the Hillsborough Memorial Tree in Phoenix Park, Dublin, by the Dublin 15 Liverpool Supporters Club.