The father of the 96th victim of the Hillsborough disaster was today paying an emotional visit to the Sheffield ground 11 years to the day of the tragedy.

Allan Bland, 64, of Keighley, whose son Tony was among those crushed in the crowd surge at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, was joining hundreds of thousands of spectators at today's matches paying tribute to those who died.

All Premiership and Football League matches were kicking off at 3.07pm.

At six minutes past three - the precise time on April 15, 1989, when the tragedy unfolded - players, club staff and fans were observing a minute's silence.

Tony Bland's life support machine was switched off in 1993 after Law Lords ruled his doctors at Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, could not be charged with murder if they withdrew food keeping him alive.

The decision ended months of torment for his father and mother, Barbara, who backed a campaign to let their 22-year-old son - a devoted Liverpool fan - die with dignity. Mr Bland, who is taking his eight year-old nephew, Daniel Vickers, to watch Sheffield Wednesday against Chelsea at Hillsborough said it would be an emotional occasion.

"It will give me an opportunity to lay flowers on the memorial plaque," he added. He said he did not wish to comment further because of the pending trial against the two retired senior South Yorkshire Police officers who were responsible for crowd control on the day.

David Duckenfield and Bernard Murray face charges of manslaughter and misfeasance - failing to do their duty - at a trial which is due to start at Leeds Crown Court on June 6. The case follows 11 years of campaigning by the Hillsborough Family Support Group, spearheaded by Trevor Hicks, a Keighley businessman, whose two daughters, Sarah, 19, and Victoria, 15, also died in the disaster. Mr Hicks also said he could not comment on the events of the day because of the forthcoming trial.

A memorial service was being held today in The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool starting at 2.45pm with a minute's silence being observed at 3.06pm.

e-mail: clive.white@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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