“A lot of Liverpool supporters were descending on Anfield at that time,” remembers Edwards, “and some of them were asking us: ‘What are you doing here?’ But we got chatting to them and explained that we wanted to come and pay our respects. And then the jungle telegraph got going, and word went around that there were hundreds of United supporters descending on Anfield!”

Afterwards, the supporters were welcomed into one of Anfield’s lounges by then Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish. Barry Moorhouse, United’s membership secretary, handed over one of Bryan Robson’s no.7 jerseys, signed by all the first-team players, which was subsequently auctioned to support the Hillsborough disaster appeal. 

Dalglish later told the Echo: “This is a magnificent gesture, and it will do so much to show the families of those who died how much football supporters everywhere really care. We all know that the supporters of our two clubs have not always got on. The situation had become worse over the last few years and it was unhealthy. That is why this gesture is so touching.”

Hillsborough had, of course, reminded many United fans of the 1958 Munich Air Disaster – the darkest day in our own history. Within the report, Andrew referred to these two unthinkable, traumatic episodes as a shared ‘bond’ that made us ‘inseparable friends’.

Sadly, the clubs did not remain inseparable for long.