Liquidator silenced as West Brom fans pay tribute to Hillsborough victims

Albion will join the football world in honouring the victims of the Hillsborough disaster tomorrow with a minute's silence and a 3.07pm kick-off for their clash with Tottenham.

The tributes, which mean the Liquidator will not be played at The Hawthorns before the meeting with Spurs, will be repeated at games across the country.

The game will kick-off seven minutes late as a mark of respect and will be preceded by a minute's silence at 3.06pm in line with all other Premier League, Football League, Football Conference and FA Cup matches taking place this weekend.

The match at which the disaster took place – the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989 – ended at 3.06pm, six minutes after kick-off.

The minute's silence mean Baggies officials did not consider playing the Liquidator, which made a rousing return before last month's 3-3 home draw with Cardiff.

Albion's former Everton striker Victor Anichebe, who grew up on Merseyside, said: "It's a really nice touch.

"Obviously, I grew up in Liverpool and what happened was such a sad thing, such a tragedy.

"It is still in the forefront of people's minds and the fact the Premier League are paying their respects is obviously important.

"Last season at Everton, we had a minute's silence before the derby game and there were children wearing kits from both the Merseyside clubs.

"It was a really nice thing to see and it was very emotional. It brought the two sides of Liverpool completely together.

"Everyone was as one during that period.

"There is a great rivalry between the two teams but there's a lot of love, too.

"That was great for the city and it was a nice touch from Everton.

"Everton are doing really well and Liverpool are doing amazingly well, too, so that in itself is a great tribute to those who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster.

"Everyone was affected by what happened, both blue and red, and it's fitting that both sets of supporters have something to cheer about at the moment.

"You couldn't write a better script for this weekend than the two teams to be flying high together.

"Hopefully, they can both kick on together and make the city proud."