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Liverpool to play Everton anthem in tribute to murdered schoolboy
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Liverpool Football Club were to play the anthem of their city rivals Everton for the first time Tuesday in tribute to an 11-year-old boy murdered in the British city.
The Reds were to play "Johnny Todd", a traditional local folk song, at Anfield as the players run out for the Champions League qualifying round second leg against French club Toulouse.
Besides the unprecedented move, Liverpool's players will also wear black armbands and stage a minute's applause -- a growing replacement in English football for the more traditional minute's silence.
Rhys Jones, an Everton fan, was fatally shot in the neck in a pub car park in a killing which has shocked the city of Liverpool.
The idea for playing Everton's anthem at Anfield was suggested by the Liverpool Echo newspaper and received widespread support.
The Reds' anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" will be played afterwards.
Liverpool FC chief executive Rick Parry discussed the idea with Jones's family, who gave their backing.
Rhys Jones's parents Stephen and Melanie were to attend the match, the club's website said.
The slain youngster's uncle Neil Jones said: "When I told them about the proposed tribute at Anfield, Melanie said playing 'Johnny Todd' at Anfield would be a unique event, a complete one-off, just like Rhys, and a fitting tribute to him as it was his favourite tune.
"She's also pretty sure he'll have a little mischievous grin on his face at the thought of being the cause of it."
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