The Spaniard spoke poignantly about his own memories of the disaster as a “football-mad kid” who found it difficult to comprehend the pain the families endured knowing their loved ones would not return from a football match.

“I was only 15 in April 1989 - football-mad kid, [and] football-mad family like many of you today and we heard the news; we heard about Hillsborough and as a family we couldn’t believe the pain and horror that the families would get by receiving the news that their loved ones wouldn’t be coming home; wouldn’t be coming home from a football match,” said Martinez.

“How can anyone die watching the game you love? That isn’t right, that isn’t fair. What happened after wasn’t right or fair either. To have to fight for the good names of the ones you lost was appalling,” he continued.

As the Everton boss mentioned, his speech follows that of Everton chairman Bill Kenwright, who spoke at last year’s memorial and delivered an equally eloquent and heartfelt message.

Thousands of people marked the 25th clubs and families of those who died during Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final with Nottingham Forest that day in 1989.

The names of the 96 victims were read aloud against the backdrop of the scarves depicting the number 96 on the Anfield centre-circle.

A minute’s silence was also observed at 3.06pm, the time the match was abandoned.

On Irish radio this morning, RTÉ presenter Des Cahill – who was sent to cover the aftermath of the tragedy – broadcast a moving tribute to those who lost their lives.

Evidently emotional, Cahill produced a fantastic piece of broadcasting that marked the occasion perfectly.