Hillsborough campaigner Gerry McIver was honoured by Liverpool supporters before the EFL Cup victory over Tottenham at Anfield.
The 81-year-old stalwart of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign died in July aged 81 after a battle with illness.
Described as ‘the backbone of the HJC’, the tireless volunteer supported and counselled survivors for many years and was a permanent fixture in the campaign’s shop on Walton Breck Road.
As a mark of respect, Liverpool supporters’ union Spirit of Shankly commissioned a painting for Mr McIver’s family on behalf of its members while a flag in his honour was flown on the Kop before the match for the first time.
Presenting the painting on behalf of SOS, Phil Rowan said: “Definitely, without doubt, we can say of Gerry that he looked after his own.
“The story goes that when the HJC was first starting and they got the first building (on Oakfield Road), it was actually Ricky Tomlinson who said to Gerry, “Can you come in and do an hour’s painting?”.
“He came in and he never left, he just stayed for those years, helping out.
“There’s people I’ve spoken to who say they wouldn’t be alive but for Gerry and the support he gave them.
“We talked about what we could do to honour Gerry and when something comes from the fans and the people Gerry looked after himself, it means a lot more.
“The painting is a token of our respect for everything he did.”
Gerry’s daughter Jan O’Keefe said: “I would just like to thank all involved. It’s hard to find the words but we’re just overwhelmed by all the support from everyone.
“The painting is lovely and it will take pride of place in my mum’s. “
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/hillsborough-campaigner-gerry-mciver-honoured-12082136#ICID=sharebar_facebookWould of been nice for the club to have actually acknowledged Gerry's passing, as he did more for the fight for justice than anyone at the club ever did.