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Reds and Blues will applaud on 30th minute of derby to mark James Bulger 30th anniversary
2 years ago
Reds and Blues fans are being asked to applaud on the 30th minute of tonightâs derby match to mark 30 years since James Bulger was taken.
A huge banner in both club colours which has been specially made for the anniversary will also be lifted on the Kop.
Itâs three decades since a banner simply saying âRIP Jamesâ was held up by supporters at Anfield back in 1993.
Now Denise and Stuart Fergus are planning to repeat and update the tribute in his memory.
Stuart says Jamesâ mum Denise has always been grateful for the love and support that the family has been shown by everyone in Liverpool, regardless of any football rivalries.
âDenise has said from day one, since it first happened, that the whole city came together for her, Everton and Liverpool supporters,â he says.
âThatâs one of the reasons why, in our charity badge, we have incorporated the colours of both teams.
â30 years feels like the blink of an eye, itâs gone over that quickly, but weâd really like everyone in the ground to join in applause for James on the 30 minute and mark the 30th anniversary since he was tragically taken.â
Although the original Kop banner was in black and white, this new version has been created in colour by Liver Print to show the unity of fans on a tragedy that touches everyone.
âItâs half red and half blue, with the crests of both clubs and a photo of Jamesâ face at both ends,â adds Stuart. âWe were thinking about having a banner in the away section as well but the original was on the Kop so this will stand alongside all the other flags, scarves and banners, and the way weâve designed it includes both sets of supporters.â
Between February 12th and 14th is always a very emotional time for Denise and her family and one which they spend privately remembering James.
âGoing back to when it happened, the 13th was like a limbo day because Denise was sitting there waiting, not knowing if he was going to be found.
âFor most people, itâs the date when theyâre thinking about Valentineâs Day, when theyâll be having a meal with a loved one, or sending flowers to their other half. But Valentineâs Day was the day James was found so for us itâs a time where we go to the cemetery and then spend it with the family.
âAt tonightâs match, we support Liverpool so weâre hoping they can do the business on the pitch, but we also hope that all the supporters from both teams can do the business off it on the 30th minute for James.â