The 9 most iconic numbers in football history

#2 96 Victims of the Hillsborough Disaster

A mosaic laid out by Liverpool fans on the 25th Anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster

15th April 1989 was one of the darkest days in the history of the game. It was the semi-final of the FA Cup and it was played between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium, which was the home ground of Sheffield Wednesday.

Liverpool fans who were more in number were allocated the Leppings Lane Stand, entry to which was only possible via one of seven decrepit turnstiles. This restriction led to dangerous overcrowding outside the ground before kickoff. In an attempt to ease the pressure outside an exit gate was opened, but this opened gate led to two already overcrowded enclosures and due to influx of fans, this resulted in crushing.

Moments after kick off a barrier broke and fans started falling on top of each other and the game was abandoned after just six minutes. Eventually 96 Liverpool supporters lost their life in the horrifying incident. To make matters worse, the chief police officer David Duckenfield claimed that the supporters were responsible for the incident and evidences were fabricated to support the claim.

However, the Hillsborough panel's findings showed police and emergency services had made "strenuous attempts" to deflect the blame for the disaster on to the fans.

More than 160 police statements had been altered - 116 of them to remove or change negative comments about the policing of the match.

The youngest victim of the disaster was John Paul Gilhooley, who was the cousin of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Every year Liverpool hold a memorial service at Anfield on the day of the disaster to remember those who passed away and the Liverpool fans are often seen holding up a banner on match days saying “Justice for the 96”.