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| NEWS STORY |
HARRISON BRACED FOR POIGNANT NIGHT
James Carroll
14 May 2009
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Paul Harrison admits it will be an emotional occasion when he takes to the field for the Hillsborough Memorial Game at Anfield tonight.
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The former Liverpool Academy graduate will line-up for Kenny Dalglish's Reds Legends side, who face an All Stars XI.
The occasion will be particularly moving for Harrison as he lost both his father and uncle in the Hillsborough disaster. The goalkeeper was aged just four at the time.
"It's the same every April 15th - it's a sad time," the 24-year-old told Liverpoolfc.tv. "I hope we one day get justice for the 96.
"It will be special for my family to see me playing in this game on such an occasion."
It was Dalglish who personally tracked down the stopper and persuaded him to take up a position between the sticks for the legends.
Harrison explains: "I got a random phone call off Kenny Dalglish, who asked me if I'd play in the game and that was that really.
"Ever since, I've been fed little bits of information and I'm just so proud to have been asked to play."
With the match dedicated to the families of those who lost their lives at Hillsborough, Dalglish felt it only right Belle Vale-born Harrison should participate in the event.
The legendary Reds number seven said: "Paul will be playing in goal, which I think is very appropriate for this game.
"Paul lost his dad and uncle at Hillsborough. He was a professional here at Liverpool and it will be great for Paul to play.
"It will be a very poignant night for him."
Having left Anfield in 2005, Harrison currently plies his trade at Welsh club TNS.
The custodian did not make an appearance for the senior side during his Reds days, but was given a rapturous reception by the Kop when he was named on the substitutes' bench for a fixture with Newcastle United in May 2004.
'Harro' is now relishing the opportunity to step out onto the hallowed turf alongside some of the finest players to have ever donned the famous red jersey.
"It's always special to go out onto the Anfield pitch. I'm really looking forward to it and can't wait to get out there," he enthused.
"All the legends have been great - they've all been brilliant with me.
"I know a couple of them from different stages of my career, but it's great to finally meet Kenny Dalglish. He's a legend isn't he?"
Harrison - who was Liverpool's mascot when they clinched the league title by beating QPR at Anfield in 1990 - will no doubt savour every moment of tonight's occasion, but would he one day like to run out in front of the Kop as as the Reds' first choice 'keeper?
"Hopefully," he smiles. "That's the dream."
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