Is Hillsborough still a football ground and 97th victim who died 3 decades after crush

April 15 2022 marks 33 years since the tragic events at Hillsborough, which cost 97 lives in an appalling human crush.

Liverpool was playing against Nottingham Forest in the semi-final of the FA Cup when the opening of a door in a failed attempt at crowd management led to an influx of supporters pilling into a standing-only pen.

In total, 766 people were injured in the crush, with those who died still remembered passionately by Liverpool and its supporters.

The families of the victims suffered a long and hard battle to find justice for those they had lost, coming up against police coverups with false stories initially being fed to the press stating that the deaths were the fault of drunk fans.

A major event in British history, many still feel that justice for the 97 is yet to be reached.

Is Hillsborough still a football ground?

Hundreds of people were injured in the tragic disaster (Bob Thomas/Getty Images)

Although the fateful game was played between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, the match was actually held in Sheffield.

Hillsborough was, and still is, the home ground of Sheffield Wednesday, and is one of the larger football stadiums in the country.

Its history dates back to 1899, and the grounds have undergone numerous changes, additions and revamps over the years.

The stadium, as the site of the disaster, was a key part of the Taylor Report, which looked into the safety of high-capacity venues.

The report led to many safety improvements to the ground and introduced the rule that all stadiums in the two top divisions of English football must have fully seated stands.

It also saw the removal of high fences around the edge of the pitch, originally put in place to prevent streakers and interference but ultimately playing a huge part in the loss of life at Hillsborough.

Today, the ground can seat 39,732 (although it is currently slightly reduced for safety reasons) spectators but plans have been accepted by Sheffield Council to increase its capacity to 44,825.

When did the 97th victim die?

The high fencing around the pitch played a major part in the tragedy (Press Association)

For many years “Justice for the 96” was the motto of those searching for the truth.

But in July 2021, Andrew Stanley Devine died from injuries he sustained at the disaster 32 years prior.

Following his tragic passing, Mr Devine was added to the official memorials commemorating those who lost their lives.

On its official site, Liverpool FC says: “The 97 will always be at the heart of Liverpool Football Club.”