SILSDEN paid tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy by presenting last Saturday's opponents AFC Liverpool with a wreath of condolence.

At the end of an emotional week for the city, in which an inquest jury ruled the 96 fans who died at the Sheffield stadium were unlawfully killed, the events also had a local connection to the Cobbydalers.

The last person to die following the crush at the Leppings Lane end of the ground was Tony Bland, a Keighley lad and a cousin of twins Martin and Matthew Bland, who played their part in Silsden's march through the lower leagues to the North West Counties top tier.

Tony suffered severe brain damage which left him in a persistent vegetative state as a consequence of which, Airedale Hospital, with the support of his parents, applied for a ground-breaking court order allowing him to 'die with dignity'. He became the first patient in English legal history to be allowed to die by the courts through the withdrawal of life-prolonging treatment.

Since the formation of AFC Liverpool, the club have been dedicated supporters of the “Justice for the 96” campaign and, before last Saturday's kick-off, four Silsden committee members presented AFC with a wreath and a minute's applause was held.

On Sunday, AFC chairman Alan Harrison thanked Silsden for their support and took the floral tribute and AFC scarves to the Anfield Memorial.