Do you know any families that were affected by the Hillsborough disaster?
We knew one or two but nobody that close. It was more friends of family more than anything. Our family were all Everton fans but we knew of one relative who went to the Liverpool game. On the way home we were trying to find out if everything was okay, and then we found out he didn't have a ticket in the Leppings Lane end. He was in the stand so we knew he was okay. But you always know someone who knows someone who was affected.
The way Liverpudlians and Evertonians grieved together has become legendary. Do you remember any of that feeling of togetherness back then?
I just remember being at school, and being in assemblies singing You'll Never Walk Alone which was hard for Evertonians. Liverpool's first real competitive game was against Everton for which I was in the Gwladys Street End. I remember having a strange feeling for that game. Normally you are desperate to win but it was a strange type of game, which I think finished 0-0. The result didn't matter. It was just special that the first game was between those two sides and both teams went on to play in the FA Cup Final that season.
Just how central would you say Hillsborough is to the fabric of Liverpool Football Club?
It is essential that we don't forget. Obviously we didn't want it to happen but we are very sorry for the friends and families that it did affect. It is something that we have all got behind each other over. I think we changed the face of football really. The changes to the stadiums and the way people watch football now is probably down to the tragedy, which is a sad thing, but hopefully it will never happen again because of those changes. It is something we will never forget. We will hold the memorial at Anfield every season and rightly so. We should never forget and we all realise what it means to the club.
When a foreign player signs for Liverpool, is it important that they learn about the events of Hillsborough?
Yes of course, that's why we have the memorial service every year that all the players and staff go to. It's great when our foreign players come and play well, but I think its great when they come and get embedded in the traditions of the club which are part of our history. That's what is great about the foreign lads we have now, they are really interested in that part of Liverpool Football Club.
The Hillsborough families have received the freedom of the city this year. What can you say about the way they have conducted themselves over the years?
They have conducted themselves superbly. You always put yourself in their shoes, particularly as I have children of my own. I don't know if I could have behaved myself like they have, as I know having a kid is your life. For people to send family and friends away to a game and for them to not return is a terrible thought. It terrifies you just thinking about it so what those people have gone through is unbelievable and the way they have behaved themselves is impeccable. They're still fighting for things in the right way too.
A couple of years ago, ahead of a match with Arsenal, there was a mosaic on the Kop that read 'The Truth'. Why is an event like that important for the club and fans?
It is important. We are always aware of it but sometimes you think people outside the club seem to forget about Hillsborough and have moved on. It seems as if a lot of it has been brushed under the carpet. But people shouldn't forget that they are still fighting for it today. I think people just want to put it back out there so the public realise what actually went on. Put yourself in their shoes; what if you had children, friends, or parents who went to the game and never came back... it's a frightening thought.
And finally, you are a local lad and an embodiment of what this club is all about. Do you have a message for the survivors and the families of the victims of Hillsborough ahead of the 20th anniversary?
Just keep believing and keep fighting for what you believe in. No-one will ever forget what happened at the club, certainly not now and they never will. Don't think that people at this club will just forget about it and move on like some people have in other parts of the country. We will always be there supporting the Hillsborough memorial and the families as much as we can.
