Fellow campaigners and Liverpool FC have paid tribute to Phil Hammond
Phil Hammond former Chairman of Hillsborough Family Support Group pictured in 2012(Image: Liverpool Echo/Colin Lane)
A Hillsborough campaigner who helped lead the fight for justice has died as tributes have been paid to a “kind and humble” man.
The Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance announced the news today (Friday, January 17) that the former chairman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, Phil Hammond, has died. Phil, who lost his 14-year-old son, Philip junior, in the Hillsborough disaster put his heart and soul into the battle for truth and justice.
In tribute to Phil, the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance said on X: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Phil Hammond, who was once the Chairman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group. Reunited with his son Philip. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who knew him.”
Liverpool Football Club replied to the post to share their own tribute to Phil. The club wrote: “All at LFC are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Phil Hammond. He lost his 14-year-old son Philip at Hillsborough, went on to become Chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group and helped lead the fight for justice for the 97. RIP Phil. YNWA.”
It was Phil who, together with support group solicitor Ann Adlington, took on the responsibility of collating reams of documentary evidence into the Hillsborough disaster and sending them to the Home Office – which led to the then Home Secretary Jack Straw ordering a new probe, or “scrutiny”.
And the friends and colleagues also helped make the Hillsborough Justice Concert a reality. Louise Brookes, whose brother Andrew died in the Hillsborough tragedy, said on X: “Extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Phil Hammond who was the Chair of the HFSG.
“A very kind, fair, honest & humble man. Now reunited with his son Phil who sadly passed away at Hillsborough. My thoughts & prayers are with Hilda & Graeme.”
BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Giulia Bould wrote: “Really sad news. Phil Hammond did so much in the fight for justice for all those affected by the Hillsborough tragedy. Thinking of his family and friends. May he rest peacefully with his son, Philip.”
Phil Hammond former Chairman of Hillsborough Family Support Group with his wife Hilda(Image: Liverpool Echo/Colin Lane)
Paying tribute to Phil’s dedication, Margaret Aspinall, whose son James was a victim in the tragedy and has since tirelessly campaigned for justice, told the ECHO in an interview in 2016: “I want to say a very personal thank you to Phil Hammond on behalf of myself and my family. I worked alongside him and solicitor Ann Adlington very closely in the legal office when we were going for the private prosecution.
“We worked great together and were in that office from 10am until 10pm. Phil was so dedicated to the cause and what he did in preparing for the private prosecution taught me a great deal. There was a lot of office work I didn’t understand, but I do now – thanks to Phil. I respect him enormously and always will do.”