Latest news with #VersoAltrove
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘It's incredibly important' – Liverpool reveal plans for new Heysel memorial
The new memorial, titled 'Forever Bound', will replace the existing plaque currently situated on the wall of the Kenny Dalglish Stand and move to a new location at the home of the Premier League champions. Featuring two scarves knotted together and gently tied – symbolising the unity and solidarity between Liverpool and Juventus in the aftermath of the disaster – the memorial also includes an inscription alongside the names of the 39 supporters who died at the European Cup final at Heysel Stadium in Brussels. Ian Rush, who played for both clubs and was in the Liverpool side on that fateful night on May 29, 1985, said: "To see a new memorial created with such care means a lot and it's incredibly important to have a fitting tribute to remember the 39 fans who lost their lives. "We must never forget why this matters, and why we continue to stand together in solidarity, all these years later." Jonathan Bamber, Liverpool's chief legal and external affairs officer and executive sponsor of Forever Reds, said: "The Heysel disaster is a significant chapter in our history, and one which we must never forget. "It's important that we honour those who lost their lives with a memorial that reflects the depth of our respect and remembrance." Liverpool chief executive officer Billy Hogan and club ambassador Rush will attend the unveiling of Juventus' new Heysel memorial, 'Verso Altrove', in Turin as part of the 40th anniversary commemorations. 'Verso Altrove' will be unveiled on the 40th anniversary of the disaster on May 29. Liverpool have said, out of respect of that, 'Forever Bound' will be officially unveiled later in the summer at a location to be agreed following consultation with key stakeholders.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool unveil plans for new memorial to mark 40th anniversary of Heysel tragedy
Liverpool have unveiled plans for a new Heysel memorial at Anfield to mark the 40th anniversary of the disaster that claimed 39 lives before the 1985 European Cup final. Entitled 'Forever Bound', the memorial will feature a Juventus scarf and a Liverpool scarf entwined together in bronze, a dedication to the date and location of the tragedy and the names of the 39 people who were killed that night – 32 from Italy, four from Belgium, two from France and one from Northern Ireland – engraved on white Italian porcelain. It will replace the existing memorial that is located on the wall of the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand. Advertisement Bruce Grobbelaar, Liverpool's goalkeeper in 1985, attended the announcement at Anfield on Wednesday and admitted emotions are still raw 40 years on. 'One, because I was there,' he said. 'Two, because my mother came from Africa with her husband. It was the first time she'd watched me play. She turned around to me afterwards and said: 'If this is football, I don't want to be a part of it.' It left a lasting impression in my psyche. I had to live with that for all this time. She never watched me again. She came from Africa, she went back to Africa. She might have watched on TV, but never live.' Related: Premier League race for Europe: who's in, who needs what and how 10 could qualify The idea to mark the 40th anniversary with a new memorial came from members of the Liverpool supporters' board and supporters' union Spirit of Shankly. It was felt the current memorial is inadequate and, with the car park behind the Sir Kenny Dalglish stand occasionally closed to the public, the location unsuitable for people to pay their respects. The location of the new memorial, which will measure approximately 2.2m x 1m, has not been decided. Liverpool have identified five possible options around Anfield including one near the Hillsborough memorial. Liverpool consulted on the design with representatives of the Hillsborough families, the club's supporters' board, Juventus and the president of the Association for the Families of Heysel Victims, Andrea Lorentini. Lorentini's 31-year-old father, Roberto, was among those killed when a wall collapsed at the stadium after a charge by Liverpool supporters. Advertisement Juventus will mark the 40th anniversary on 29 May by unveiling a new memorial of their own near the Allianz Stadium. 'Verso Altrove' is a 65m platform that spirals above ground and focuses on the horizon. Liverpool legend and club ambassador Ian Rush, who played for Juventus, and the Liverpool chief executive, Billy Hogan, will attend the unveiling in Turin. Out of respect for Juventus' commemorations next week Liverpool will not unveil their memorial until later in the summer. Juventus officials will attend the Anfield ceremony. The idea for two scarves tied together originated from photographs of the immediate aftermath of the disaster that showed fan memorabilia discarded all over the Heysel terraces. The image symbolises unity and solidarity between the two clubs, reconciliation and the bond formed by grief. A Liver bird and a zebra, in the design of Liverpool's and Juventus's insignia from the mid-80s respectively, is on each scarf. Jonathan Bamber, Liverpool's chief legal and external affairs officer, explained: 'It's something that we don't want to forget. Forty years is a significant anniversary and so we felt it was a good moment to review what was already in place. We have a supporters' board who we liaise with and it was supporters who came to the club and said: 'Do you think that you should potentially look at this?' There was the feeling that perhaps there could be something that was slightly more accessible and gave people the opportunity to reflect a bit more. 'The interaction with Juventus and the families has been absolutely paramount, it's been at the core of really everything that we've thought through. An awful lot of thought has gone into it, trying to get it right and make it meaningful.' Grobbelaar added: 'I thank the club and Juventus and the people that have coordinated it for getting this right. Because the two clubs have to come together and they are bound together from that day onwards. They are forever bound and I think it is a fantastic tribute to the passing of the 39.'
