Football manager Rafael 'Rafa' Benítez confirmed his loyalty and affection to Liverpool by donating £96,000 to the Hillsborough Family Support Group on his departure from the Premier League team, it has been revealed. 

HFSG is formed of many of the family members left behind by the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 which saw 96 Liverpool supporters crushed to death during a match at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium.

HFSG offers support to the bereaved and has campaigned for transparency and justice in the wake of the disaster, believing the South Yorkshire Police should be held accountable.  

Founder Margaret Aspinall said of the donation: "I think it's fabulous, absolutely marvellous, I thought it was a lovely gesture of Rafael Benítez ."

She advised that Benítez had called in advance to advise HFSG that he was planning to make a donation, "But I had no idea it would be that much," she added.

Despite being dismissed by Liverpool FC on 2 June following a string of unwelcome defeats this season, Benítez gave the £96,000 donation signalling his support for Liverpool and representing £1,000 for each supporter who lost their life at the stadium that day.

Aspinall advised that the money would go towards running costs and expenses and to pay for the annual memorial organised by the support group which does not hold charitable status as it would be unable to undergo the continuous legal action it seeks against the South Yorkshire Police.

Image copyright: Aaron Carass