Hillsborough: 'Let not your hearts be troubled' mourners told in last ever memorial

Doves are released during the 27th, and last, annual memorial service for the 96 people who died during a crush at Hillsborough football stadium. Reuters

"Let not your hearts be troubled."

This was the message given to the last Hillsborough memorial service on Friday afternoon by former Liverpool football manager, Kenny Dalglish.

The ex-boss was manager on 15 April 1989 when 96 fans were crushed to death in the stadium. The club held its final memoral service at Anfield after relatives of the victims agreed it would be the last.

Across Liverpool flags were flown at half mast and the bells at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Town Hall tolled 96 times. 

The Mersey Ferry sounded its horn and the Mersey Tunnel barriers were lowered for a minute at 15.06.

In the city centre public transport and shops were encouraged to observe the silence. On top of this many local Arriva buses marked the anniversary with a display which read: "Remembering the 96". 

The former Everton striker Graeme Sharp read from Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd after Rev Kevin Bolton opened the service. He told thousands of fans who packed into the stadium they will "never walk alone". He said the service was "yet another milestone in your long journey".

Rt Rev Paul Bayes, bishop of Liverpool, read prayers alongside the Catholic archbishop of Liverpool, Rt Rev Malcolm McMahon. 

The names of each of the 96 victims were read out by several church leaders including deacon Flip Den Uil from Kensington Methodist, Kelvin Bolton from Christ Church and Holy Trinity and Father Stephen Maloney from All Saints Church, Anfield. A minute's silence held at 15.06 - the time the match was abandoned in 1989. The service ended with 96 white doves released to the tune of 'Wind Beneath my Wings.'

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