AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

SOUTHPORT FC say they are proud to act as a vital hub of the community following the tragic events of Monday morning, which led to the deaths of three young girls.

- Jon Couch

Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6, were killed and several others left injured following a horrific knife attack as they attended a Taylor Swift themed dance class.

Seventeen-year-old Axel Rudakubana has been charged with three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder. He appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday and will stand trial next year.

Southport’s Haig Avenue ground stands just a few hundred yards away from the Hart Centre, where the attacks took place, and has opened its doors to the grieving community with volunteers from Victim Care Merseyside in daily attendance to offer specialist support to anyone affected by the tragedy.