Craig Johnston reunited with special surfboard at LFC Museum

Anfield may have changed considerably since then, but the memories came flooding back for him.

Signed from Middlesbrough in 1981, ‘Skippy’ was always a popular figure with supporters and never gave less than 100 per cent for the Reds cause. Along the way, he collected multiple honours and registered 40 goals in 271 appearances. Although he left suddenly to care for his severely ill sister in 1988, the club has always remained close to his heart.

On April 15 the next year, Johnston was surfing on this actual board when news broke of the tragic events in Sheffield. He jumped on the first flight back to Liverpool to offer his support and, in a bid to raise money for the bereaved families, auctioned off memorabilia that had been accumulated throughout his illustrious career.

Among the items sold was the surfboard, which the winning bidder promptly sent to Anfield. It has been in the club’s possession ever since and attracts plenty of interest when on display.

Fittingly, it’s now also being used to educate local schoolchildren about Hillsborough as part of ‘The Real Truth Legacy’ workshops, a project created by local Labour MP Ian Byrne and Phil Scraton and run by LFC Foundation.

Find out more about the LFC Museum at Anfield here.