A football competition for Liverpool schools to mark the 25th anniversary of Hillsborough is being launched.
The Hillsborough Cup and Hillsborough Plate – the brainchild of Mayor Joe Anderson – is an under 13s competition involving 19 secondary schools in the city.
The first matches in the knock out competitions will be played later this month, with the finals being held in Spring 2014 at Liverpool Soccer Centre in Walton, a few weeks prior to the 25th anniversary service to be held at Anfield.
Mayor Anderson said: “Every person who died at Hillsborough in 1989 was a football fan and the Hillsborough Cup and Plate is a fitting and appropriate way to remember them as we approach the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.
“It is really important that we do all we can to educate current and future generations about the tragedy so that we never, ever forget it.”
The initiative is also being backed by the Hillsborough families and Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs.
The first round of games are being played in October.
Pictured is Mayor Anderson with the Cardinal Heenan under 13s squad, who are taking part in the competition.
The other schools involved are:
St Francis Xavier’s (SFX), University Academy Liverpool (UAL), Alsop, Archbishop Beck, Childwall, De La Salle, West Derby, Gateacre, Calderstones, North Liverpool Academy, St Margaret’s, Fazakerley, Bluecoat, King David, Broadgreen, Parklands, St Francis Assisi and Enterprise South Liverpool Academy (ESLA).
