Liverpool to honour Hillsborough 96 and Paisley at new-look Anfield

London (AFP) – Two public areas around the redeveloped Main Stand of Liverpool’s Anfield ground are to be known as 96 Avenue and Paisley Square, the Premier League club said Wednesday.

96 Avenue, a name honouring the victims who were killed in a terrace crush during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough ground, is a tree-lined path in front of the stand linking Walton Breck Road high street with nearby Stanley Park.

It is also the area where the Hillsborough memorial will be permanently located ahead of Liverpool’s delayed first home game of the season, a Premier League match against reigning champions Leicester on September 10.

Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said in a Liverpool statement: “We are delighted that this beautiful area in front of the Main Stand will be named in memory of the 96.

“We have been speaking with the club throughout the expansion project on all Hillsborough matters and I’m sure fans will enjoy walking down and visiting 96 Avenue.”

Paisley Square, named in memory of Liverpool’s most successful manager Bob Paisley, is located at the corner of the Kop where it meets the stand and is described as “an area where fans can gather together before the game to enjoy the Anfield atmosphere.”

Paisley won 20 major trophies during nine years in charge at Anfield from 1974-83, including three European Cups. He died aged 77 in 1996.

Robert and Graham Paisley, Bob’s sons, said in the statement: “It is truly an honour for our father to be recognised in this way and we’re grateful to the club for being involved in this incredible project.

“People who knew dad would know that he didn’t like any fuss or being in the limelight but having the Paisley Gates and now the Paisley Square is true testament to the success that he had as manager and ensures that his memory will live on.”