Wednesday 27 April 2016 16:53, UK
Ian Ayre has praised the "dignity" of Liverpool supporters and campaigners after an inquest jury concluded the 96 football fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed.
The Anfield chief executive paid tribute to Reds fans in a statement on Tuesday and said the football club welcomed the findings of the jury.
Jurors concluded that the behaviour of fans did not cause or contribute to the tragedy, which happened when supporters were crushed before an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.
The unlawful killing conclusion was reached by a majority of seven to two of the jurors.
"After 27 long years, the true verdict has finally been delivered, confirming what the families always believed - their loved ones were unlawfully killed," Ayre said.
"Liverpool Football Club welcomes the jury's decision, once and for all, that our supporters were not in any way responsible for what happened at Hillsborough.
"We will always remember the selfless bravery and heroism of the many fans that helped their fellow supporters in the most harrowing of circumstances that day. We praise those who, since the beginning of the inquest, have had to find the courage and strength to re-live what they went through.
"Since April 15, 1989, the solidarity shown by Liverpool fans towards the families and survivors encapsulates the unique character of both the club and city. We are also hugely thankful for the unwavering support the wider football community has so generously shown these past 27 years.
"It has been a painful journey for the families and survivors, who have endured and sacrificed so much for so long. The resilience and dignity they have shown throughout their tireless campaign has been humbling and inspirational. Their conduct and actions throughout their struggle has brought pride to the city of Liverpool and will serve as a lasting tribute to the victims.
"The 96 men, women and children who were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough will never be forgotten."
Former Liverpool player Phil Thompson, who won three European Cups with the Anfield club, paid tribute to the families who have campaigned on behalf of their loved ones for so long.
"I'm so pleased for the families; I don't know how they have done it. For 27 years the way they have been, the emotions have been all over the place," he said.
"People never believed and I salute the families just for the fact how they kept going through it all, particularly in the early years of people mistrusting, people saying 'get a life, get on with it, you are not going to win'.
"It wasn't a boxing match or anything like that, for these people they just wanted the truth and the justice for their loved ones and so it was extremely difficult. 'Get over it, you're wallowing in self-pity' - this was thrown at everybody and these people had to endure that.
"I do salute them and think 'my goodness, you've done your families and the ones who died on that day, you've done them proud'."
On the jury's conclusions, he added: "I think every Liverpool fan, every supporter of the families have known this since day one, from back on the 15th of April, 1989. I think everybody has realised the failings of that day.
"Here on Merseyside, you had somebody, you knew somebody who was very close to everything that was materialising before your very eyes. You knew that huge mistakes had been made, errors of judgement."
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner added: "Today marks the most significant step forward to date for the Hillsborough families and survivors in their long battle for truth and justice. Although the struggle enters a new phase, we sincerely hope they can find some comfort and peace following today's ruling.
"We have been moved and inspired by the great courage shown by the families and survivors. We feel deep sorrow for their loss, take inspiration from their campaign and express gratitude for bringing honour to the club through their conduct during this cruelly prolonged process.
"At Liverpool Football Club and across the footballing world, the 96 will never be forgotten."
Everton ambassador Graeme Sharp said he and the Goodison Park club are pleased Liverpool supporters finally have justice. Sharp was involved in the other FA Cup semi-final in 1989 when Everton played Norwich at Villa Park.
He said: "Everton Football Club are delighted that the families have finally got justice for what happened so many years ago. They fought extremely hard and it is great that the truth has finally been told.
"As a football club, Everton have been very close with Liverpool all the way on the journey, I was involved in the other semi-final, so I knew what it was like.
"But for the families, they've been fighting for so long and to finally get justice is a credit to them. Hopefully now they can move on, it's been a really tough time for them, but nobody will ever forget the 96."
