Mansfield plan tribute to the 96
Mansfield Town will pay a poignant tribute to the Liverpool fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough when the Reds travel to Field Mill for Sunday's FA Cup third round tie.
Cards bearing the names of each of the 96 supporters who died at the tragedy in April 1989 will be placed on the empty seats which separate home and away fans at the ground.
Paul Broughton, Mansfield's operations director, explained: "We wanted to do something in light of what has happened over the last year in terms of Hillsborough and as it's been so long since the two sides met.
"One of our fans suggested we place a name on each of the empty seats in the segregation section of the stadium. The idea sent shivers down my spine. It was an amazing idea."
Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said: "I felt moved when I heard that Mansfield had planned this tribute.
"To me, it sums up where we are at, in terms of how everyone around the country is starting to realise what we have known for a long time about Hillsborough.
"It will be a lovely gesture and I think it's entirely appropriate for us going forward in our fight for justice. It means a great deal and I would like to thank Mansfield on behalf of the HFSG for what will be a beautiful gesture to the 96."