Nottingham Forest Announces Permanent Memorial for Hillsborough Disaster Victims — A Tribute of Respect and Remembrance
In a powerful and long-anticipated gesture of unity, healing, and remembrance, Nottingham Forest Football Club has officially announced the creation of a permanent memorial to honour the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster, one of the darkest tragedies in football history. The club confirmed that the memorial will be constructed outside the City Ground and unveiled in time for the 2026 anniversary of the disaster.
The Hillsborough tragedy, which occurred on April 15, 1989, during an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool supporters and left hundreds more injured and traumatized. It was a day that forever changed English football, led to major reforms in stadium safety, and left a legacy of grief and injustice that took decades to properly acknowledge.
Now, decades later, Nottingham Forest is stepping forward to offer a tangible tribute of solidarity, signalling a deep and enduring respect for the victims, survivors, and the families forever affected.
A Historic Gesture from Forest
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, Nottingham Forest’s board wrote:
“We at Nottingham Forest Football Club have long shared in the pain and memory of the Hillsborough disaster. As the opposing side on that tragic day, we have always recognised the loss suffered by Liverpool supporters and the broader footballing family. Today, we take a step toward permanently honouring their memory, standing in solidarity with the victims and their loved ones.”
“A memorial will be installed outside the City Ground, offering a place for reflection, respect, and remembrance.”
Forest confirmed that they had consulted with representatives from the Hillsborough Family Support Group, as well as survivors and Liverpool FC, to ensure the tribute reflects the gravity of the event and honours the victims in a dignified and thoughtful manner.
Details of the Memorial
The proposed memorial will feature a sculpted monument bearing the names and ages of the 97 victims, alongside a plaque explaining the events of April 15, 1989. A specially designed garden of remembrance will surround the sculpture, offering a peaceful space for contemplation. The design will also include a symbolic 97 flame etching, referencing Liverpool’s eternal flame.
Architectural renderings reveal that the memorial will stand adjacent to the Brian Clough Stand, placing it in a highly visible and accessible location. The choice of placement carries added meaning, linking the two clubs through the figure of Clough, who managed Forest during that era and was deeply affected by the tragedy.
The unveiling ceremony is expected to take place on or near the 37th anniversary of the disaster, in April 2026, with invitations extended to Liverpool FC, survivors, and families of the victims.
Reactions from Liverpool FC and the Hillsborough Community
Liverpool Football Club quickly responded to the news, issuing a statement of appreciation and respect:
“We are deeply moved by Nottingham Forest’s announcement of a permanent memorial to the 97. This gesture speaks volumes about the bond that exists between our two clubs and the shared weight of that terrible day. It is a powerful act of remembrance, and we thank Forest for their compassion and solidarity.”
Margaret Aspinall, former chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group and mother of James Aspinall, who died at Hillsborough, said:
“This memorial means more than words can say. For years, our fight for justice was not only about accountability but about being seen, being remembered. That Nottingham Forest — the team we were playing that day — is now dedicating this space to our loved ones, brings peace to many of us.”
A Wound That Still Heals
The Hillsborough disaster became a turning point in football history — not just because of the human toll, but because of the long fight for truth and justice. For years, victims were wrongly blamed. It wasn’t until the 2016 inquests, 27 years later, that a jury ruled the victims were unlawfully killed, due to gross negligence by police and emergency services.
For Nottingham Forest, who were innocent participants on the pitch that day, the disaster also cast a shadow. Players, fans, and staff carried emotional scars for years, often feeling helpless and unable to express their grief publicly for fear of intruding on another club’s tragedy.
Now, through this memorial, Forest reclaims its role in acknowledging pain and fostering healing.
Voices from Forest
Former Nottingham Forest captain Stuart Pearce, who played in the match, welcomed the initiative with emotion:
“That day is burned into my memory. The horror, the helplessness, the heartbreak — none of it ever left us. I think about the fans who went to watch a football match and never came home. This memorial is overdue, but it’s beautiful. It tells the world that we’ve not forgotten, and that we stand with Liverpool.”
Current Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo also expressed his support:
“Football is about community, about humanity. This tribute reminds us that we are all part of one football family. What happened at Hillsborough should never be forgotten — and never repeated.”
Final Thoughts: A Tribute That Transcends Rivalry
In the world of football, rivalries are fierce, but tragedies have the power to bring unity. The Hillsborough disaster was not just a Liverpool tragedy — it was a football tragedy, and one that resonates far beyond the city of Liverpool.
By announcing this memorial, Nottingham Forest is doing more than installing a sculpture — it is acknowledging its place in that history with grace, respect, and humility. It is offering a hand to those still hurting and creating a permanent reminder that lives lost in the pursuit of a sport we all love will never be forgotten.
As one fan commented online:
“This is what football should be about. Honour. Memory. Respect. Forest, thank you for making the 97 part of your story too.”
Come April 2026, as fans gather under the Nottingham sky and the flame of remembrance is lit, one message will resonate louder than all:
“You’ll Never Walk Alone — not in Liverpool, not in Nottingham, not anywhere.”
