Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar has recalled the harrowing events he witnessed 25 years ago when 96 Liverpool fans were tragically killed in the Hillsborough disaster.
“I can remember it as if it was yesterday,” Grobbelaar told the BBC . “It was a beautiful day. I remember the sunshine.”
On April 15, 1989, the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium was abandoned after six minutes, when 96 fans in the Leppings Lane End were crushed to death. Grobbelaar, who made over 600 appearances for the Reds, was in the goal in front of the end where the tragedy took place that afternoon.
"We went out to look at the pitch before the match,” he continues. “The middle pen of the Leppings Lane end was getting filled up. At the time we thought nothing of it. We went back into the dressing room to get ourselves ready.
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96Show all 50 1 /50Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign group march to Anfield for a memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign group march to Anfield for a memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A woman walks past a Hillsborough tribute banner as fans arrive in Anfield for a memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A Liverpool fan wipes away tears during the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A Liverpool fan reacts during the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign group embrace as they arrive at Anfield for a memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A man carrying flowers arrives at the Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary British member of parliament Andy Burnham (C) arrives to attend a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the public and football fans gather together during the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Hillsborough, Sheffield
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Chairman Milan Mandaric lays a wreath during the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Hillsborough, Sheffield
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Fans lay flowers by the Shankly gates before a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster at Anfield in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Tommy Biggadike (2) whose grandfather Thomas Howard died in the tragedy arrives to lay flowers ahead of the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Hillsborough, Sheffield
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Members of the public lay flowers before the screening of the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Goodison Park in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Flowers are laid at the Hillsborough memorial outside Anfield to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Football scarves are tied on the Shankly Gates at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A mourner stands next to the scarfs which are tied to the Shankly gates outside Anfield to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A fan ties a scarf to the Shankly Gates at Anfield in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A Liverpool supporter looks at the tributes ahead of the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Hillsborough, Sheffield
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A man holds up a scarf remembering those who have died in football disasters over the years during a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Everton's Spanish manager Roberto Martinez (top row L) and Liverpool football club players Steven Gerrard (3L), Daniel Agger (4R), Luis Suarez (3R), Daniel Sturridge (2R) and Glen Johnson (R) stand above former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish (bottom 3L) and former Liverpool player Ian Rush (5L) during a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool's (left-right) Glen Johnson, Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez, Daniel Agger and Steven Gerrard arrive for the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool football club captain Steven Gerrard arrives for a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool football club player Glen Johnson arrives for a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Scarfs and balloons are placed in front of the Kop stand on the Anfield pitch to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The figure 96, made up of fans scarves, fills the centre circle before the Hillsborough 25th Anniversary Memorial Service at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Hull City and Sheffield United players observe a minute of silence to mark the 25th anniversary for the Hillsborough disaster during the English FA Cup Semi-final match between Hull City and Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium in London
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The crowd and players pause for a delayed kick off in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster 25 years ago before the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The teams of Reading and Leicester City respect a minutes silence for the Hillsborough victims before the Sky Bet Championship match at the Madejski Stadium, Reading
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The players take part in a minute silence to remember the Hillsborough disaster before the Sky Bet Championship match between Reading and Leicester City at the Madejski Stadium in Reading
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool scarves cover 96 seats in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster 25 years ago during the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The crowd and players pause for a delayed kick off in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster 25 years ago before the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary The crowd and players pause for a delayed kick off in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster 25 years ago before the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Before their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield Stadium against Manchester City Liverpool supporters hold their scarves prior to a minute's silence in tribute to the 96 supporters who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster of 25 years ago in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool's Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush receive wreath from Manchester City's Mike Summerbee (R ), Tony Book (L ) and Joe Corrigan (C back) to honour the ninety six Liverpool fans who lost their lives during an FA Cup semi final at Hillsborough in Sheffield 25 years ago, before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool vs Manchester City in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Liverpool fans hold up a banner in respect of the Hillsborough disaster ahead of their English Premier League soccer match against Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Before their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield Stadium against Manchester City Liverpool supporters hold banners prior to a minute's silence in tribute to the 96 supporters who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster of 25 years ago in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Jose Mourinho the Chelsea manager and his coaching staff observe a minute's silence to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Chelsea at Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Captain Curtis Davies of Hull City carries a wreath to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the FA Cup with Budweiser semi-final match between Hull City and Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium in London
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Fans in the Kop wave banners in memory of victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster before the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Players from both teams line up for a minutes silence in front of fans in the kop displaying cards to form a message in remembrance of the 96 Liverpool fans that lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster during the Barclays Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A boy stands next to floral tributes laid in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary View of floral tributes laid in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary People lay floral tribute in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary View of club scarves placed in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Fabio Borini of Sunderland lays a floral wreath is laid on the pitch to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at Stadium of Light in Sunderland
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A floral wreath is laid on the pitch to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at Stadium of Light in Sunderland
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary A tribute is displayed on the scoreboard as a minute's silence is observed to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at Selhurst Park in London
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary 96 blue seats at the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough are replaced by 96 white seats to represent the 96 Liverpool fans who died at the Hillsborough disaster, during the Sky Bet Championship match at Hillsborough, Sheffield
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Football spectators observe a minutes silence for the 25th Anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster with a billboard in the background displaying the names of those who were killed, ahead of the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Newcastle United at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke on Trent
Hillsborough disaster 25th anniversary: RIP to the 96 Hillsborough disaster anniversary Arsenal fans during a minutes remembrance next to the 96 seats that are being left empty as a tribute to the 96 Liverpool fans that lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster, are seen before the FA Cup Semi Final match at Wembley Stadium in London
“The game kicked off. After 90 seconds we hit the crossbar. Then the ball went into the Leppings Lane End behind me. I went to get the ball back.”
“It haunts me,” he admits, and he’s not the only Liverpool player that day to make such a revelation since that day. “It all happened right behind my goal. I can see those images today, if I think about it. They will never leave. It doesn't get removed from your mind. I will never forget.”
Due to the new inquest into events that day, Grobbelaar’s account of what he saw at Hillsborough are unable to be reported due to legal reasons, but he recalls what the players went through after they returned to the changing room.
“Kenny [Dalglish, the manager] said: 'Keep yourself warm we might be going back out.' We didn't know the extent of what had happened,” the 56-year-old explained.
“Then one of our fans burst into our dressing room. We knew him. He broke down in front of us. He said he had seen 10 bodies carted off already. He said it was like a warzone. Kenny ushered him out because he didn't want to upset the players.
“Then the referee told us the game had been abandoned. From there it was just a sombre mood.”
The squad showered and boarded the coach to head back to Anfield.
“Nobody said anything.
“For two hours on the journey back home we just listened to the radio. Every 10, 15 minutes we would hear an update - 20 deaths, 25 deaths. When it got to 30 deaths we switched off the radio - we couldn't listen to any more.”
Grobbelaar, who now lives in Canada since retiring from football in 2007 after a brief comeback with Glasshoughton Welfar, also backed the ongoing campaign for justice for the 96 that died on that fateful day.
The Zimbabwe international admitted he is still angered that the case remains unanswered, and says it is “totally wrong” that families have not had their questions answered 25 years on from the Hillsborough disaster.
“I still get angry because the answers have not been forthcoming,” Grobbelaar says.
“Twenty-five years - for the families not to have had answers. That is totally wrong. Twenty-five years is a long time. Families have gone now. They never saw justice for the sons and daughters. None of us will find peace until there is an answer.
“That is what we are fighting for - we have to stand with them. They have asked the same questions but have never got the answers. They have had part-answers. They need the answers.
“Thankfully and hopefully they will get that answer. It has taken this long because they thought this would go away. But it hasn't. It never will.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies