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Reading to mark Hillsborough anniversary

Liverpool's visit to the Madejski Stadium will see a minute's silence for the Hillsborough victims © Getty Images

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Reading are to hold a minute's silence before their Premier League game against Liverpool as a mark of respect on the 24th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.

The club confirmed on their official website that they had spoken with both Liverpool and the Premier League to arrange for the tribute to take place.

"Supporters of Reading Football Club and Liverpool Football Club will hold a minute's silence before Saturday's fixture at Madejski Stadium as a mark of respect for the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster," a statement said.

"With the game falling two days before the 24th anniversary of the tragedy, plans began last week for a fitting tribute to the 96 supporters who lost their lives. The Royals contacted Liverpool FC; spoke to the Premier League earlier today and they of course agreed it was absolutely correct to pay respect on such an occasion."

Meanwhile, Reading chairman John Madejski has called for a similar acknowledgment for the death of former Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher.

Any tribute to Thatcher would not sit easily with Liverpool fans, but Madejski insists it is only right that her impact is recognised.

"We have got to appreciate that Margaret Thatcher was a world leader who did so much for this country. So much that she deserves a minute's silence," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"The funeral's going to take place at St Paul's [Cathedral], attended by the Queen and Prince Philip, so I think it would be a fitting tribute from the world of football to Margaret Thatcher, one of our greatest leaders.

"Obviously I can appreciate that perhaps some people won't pay attention to it, which is sometimes the way at football, but I just think she was such a colossus in terms of the world stage that she deserves that respect from the whole nation.

"No colossus like that strides the world's stage without disenfranchising people at some stage or another, however the positive things that Margaret Thatcher achieved for our country speaks volumes and I think that outshines things that might not be considered so brilliant like the poll tax and so on."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.