Family of 97th Hillsborough victim speak of pride as he’s awarded Freedom of Liverpool

THE family of the 97th Hillsborough victim spoke of their pride as he was awarded the Freedom of Liverpool yesterday.

Andrew Devine, 55, died in July, more than 32 years after he suffered serious injuries at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final.

He was posthumously awarded the Freedom of Liverpool at a city council meeting.

Proud mum Hilary, of Liverpool, said: “It’s an honour from this city. For us, it means he is remembered and that’s what makes it important to us.”

Andrew was 22 when he went to the match be­t­ween Liverpool and Nott­ingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday’s ground. Doctors did not expect him to survive more than three months.

But he battled on and continued to attend matches with his carers.

When Liverpool won the Champions League in 2019, their open-top victory bus made a detour to his house and player James Milner held the trophy over the side for Andrew to see.

He was given the freedom alongside screenwriter Jimmy McGovern, who campaigned for Hillsborough victims — the rest of whom were granted the honour in 2016.