Hillsborough quilt updated with 97th name

A patchwork quilt, made to honour the memory of all those who died at Hillsborough, has had the name of the 97^th victim, Andrew Devine, added to it.

On display in the Museum of Liverpool’s Wondrous Place, the quilt was made by Merseyside woman, Linda Whitfield for the 25^th anniversary of the tragedy in 2014. Linda presented the quilt as a gift to the Hillsborough Family Support Group, who kindly donated it to the Museum in 2016.

Ahead of the reopening of the gallery, Wondrous Place, in November 2021, Linda came to the Museum to add Andrew’s name to the quilt herself.

The patchwork quilt is made from donated football shirts. Originally 96 Liverpool Football Club crests with the iconic Liver Bird, represented the lives that were lost at Hillsborough. Poignantly, children are remembered by a smaller Liver Bird, using children’s shirts, and Linda also ensured the names of those people who went to the match together, but never returned, were kept next to each other on the quilt. Andrew’s name is now at the heart of the quilt in the central square along with the eternal flame and the new JFT97 logo.

Artist and life-long Liverpool fan, Linda, said: “I was fortunate enough not to lose anyone in the disaster but being part of a big LFC family it is something that is always with you.

“Following the news of his death it was important to me to include Andrew Devine, the 97^th victim of this terrible tragedy, within the quilt.

“I hope the quilt reminds people not just of the innocent lives lost but also how the whole city was affected.”

Karen O’Rourke said: “Linda’s Hillsborough quilt is an act of love and remembrance for the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster. We would like to thank Linda for returning to the quilt 8 years after she made it to add Andrew Devine’s name. It is a beautiful tribute by a fan for the fans who died, those who survived, and the city which continues to remember them.”

Andrew Devine died in July 2021 at the age of 55, following life-changing injuries he suffered at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final. He was granted post-humous Freedom of Liverpool in December 2021 along with writer, Jimmy McGovern, whose nomination was in tribute to his multi-award-winning career, which included the 1996 docu-drama, Hillsborough.

Wondrous Place reopened at Museum of Liverpool after a two-year closure when the Museum hosted two temporary major exhibitions in the space.  The gallery explores Liverpool’s creative expression and influence, including the passion and intensity of being a football fan in the city, red or blue. Along with Linda’s quilt the gallery contains several objects connected to Hillsborough and an interview with Jimmy McGovern about his work and the creation of his docu-drama, Hillsborough.

On 15 April 1989 an FA Cup semi-final tie between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest resulted in tragedy. The crushing of fans at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield resulted in the unlawful deaths of 97 Liverpool supporters.