Liverpool to name Anfield public areas 96 Avenue and Paisley Square

17 August 2016 13:53

Liverpool have announced two public areas around Anfield's redeveloped Main Stand are to be known as 96 Avenue and Paisley Square.

96 Avenue, a name paying tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, is a tree-lined path in front of the stand linking Walton Breck Road high street with nearby Stanley Park and which the club say is "specially designed to reconnect the stadium to the wider community and the park".

It is also the area where the Hillsborough memorial will be permanently located ahead of the Reds' first home game of the season, the Premier League visit of champions Leicester on September 10.

Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said in a statement on Liverpool's official website: "We are delighted that this beautiful area in front of the Main Stand will be named in memory of the 96.

"We have been speaking with the club throughout the expansion project on all Hillsborough matters and I'm sure fans will enjoy walking down and visiting 96 Avenue."

Paisley Square, named in memory of Liverpool's most successful manager Bob Paisley, is located at the corner of the Kop where it meets the stand and is described as "an area where fans can gather together before the game to enjoy the Anfield atmosphere."

Robert and Graham Paisley, Bob's sons, said: "It is truly an honour for our father to be recognised in this way and we're grateful to the club for being involved in this incredible project.

"People who knew dad would know that he didn't like any fuss or being in the limelight but having the Paisley Gates and now the Paisley Square is true testament to the success that he had as manager and ensures that his memory will live on."

Source: PA