http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2009/08/03/signed-liverpool-fc-legends-to-be-sold-for-hillsborough-families-100252-24299706/2/A SALE of 96 past and present Liverpool FC signed player photos is set to be launched to raise money for grieving Hillsborough families.
From today, pictures of Reds greats will go on offer in a bid to amass £96,000 or more for relatives whose loved ones died in the Sheffield tragedy.
Retro Reds, a respected LFC memorabilia firm, has struck an agreement with the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG).
All proceeds from the sale will go towards the HFSG in the 20th anniversary year since the 1989 tragedy.
Ninety-six photos of each of the 96 players will go on sale on eBay at regular intervals over the coming weeks, with most on offer at around £50.
More sought-after signatures from the likes of Steven Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish could be auctioned and could fetch notable prices.
Retro Reds already has a good relationship with many Liverpool legends from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, including greats like Terry McDermott, Ian Callaghan and Joey Jones.
Genuine signed shirts and photos from players in the current squad are much harder to come by in the more suspicious and fraudulent modern market.
HFSG president Trevor Hicks, who lost his two teenage daughters at Hillsborough, will approach the present Anfield team, including heavyweight stars like Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Jamie Carragher, to broach the idea.
Bob McKluskey, from Retro Reds, said: “This is an official Hillsborough Family Support Group project and 100% of the cash goes to them.
“The photos will be those of players in big games like cup finals and buyers will also receive a certificate from Retro Reds and the Hillsborough families.
“We are really pleased to be doing this in the 20th anniversary year.”
Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the HFSG, who lost her son James, 18, at Hillsborough, told the ECHO: “It is a fantastic idea.
“Retro Reds have always been very supportive of us and hopefully it will raise much-needed funds for the group.”
The HFSG need to pay for a number of trips down to London where talks were held with politicians about the disclosure of thousands of hidden Hillsborough documents. Due to sheer volume of material, the families are looking to move into a new office as the release of the files gathers pace.
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