TODAY marks the 32nd anniversary of a tragedy which shocked the country and led to the deaths of 96 people.

Football fans who had gathered at Hillsborough Stadium to watch the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on April 15 1989 were crushed and injured after police measures taken in a bid to ease over-crowding near the entrance turnstiles allowed too many people inside the standing-only pens.

Ninety-four people died on the day, another person died in hospital days later, and one victim who had been put into a vegetative state by the crush and never regained consciousness, died in 1993. 

Alongside the highest death toll in British sporting history, 766 people were injured in the crush.

A Swindon Town FC spokesman said: "Our thoughts at Swindon Town are with the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives at Hillsborough 32 years ago today. You'll Never Walk Alone."

A spokesman for Liverpool FC said: "32 years ago today, 96 children, women and men lost their lives at Hillsborough.

"Our thoughts, as always, are with all those affected by the tragedy at Hillsborough and the 96 fans who will never be forgotten. You'll Never Walk Alone."

Players and staff across the club will observe a minute’s silence in memory of those who died on that terrible day.

The club will lay floral wreaths at the Hillsborough memorial at Anfield, flags will be flown at half-mast, and the Anfield retail store will close from 1pm for the remainder of the day.

Players wore black armbands and observed a minute's silence before the kick-off of yesterday's match against Real Madrid. Tributes were displayed on LED boards surrounding the pitch and within a commemorative edition of the matchday programme.