HILLSBOROUGH match commander David Duckenfield and the former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary are due to go on trial today for offences related to the disaster.

Former South Yorkshire Police chief superintendent Duckenfield, 74, is accused of the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 Liverpool fans at the FA Cup semi-final on April 15 1989.

Graham Mackrell, 69, who was the club's safety officer, is charged with contravening a term or condition of the stadium's safety certificate and one health and safety offence.

The men, who both deny the charges, are expected to appear at Preston Crown Court on Monday for the trial, which will last up to four months.

The case is likely to be opened later in the week.

Ninety six men, women and children died following the crush in pens at the Leppings Lane end of the Sheffield Wednesday ground at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

Four of the dead were from Warrington; 19-year-old Ian ‘Ronnie’ Whelan, of Duckworth Grove, Padgate, David Benson, aged 22, of Hall Nook, Penketh; 19-year-old Colin Ashcroft, of Strawberry Close, Locking Stumps; and Eric Hughes, aged 42, of Barmouth Close, Callands.

Under the law at the time, there can be no prosecution for the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland, as he died more than a year and a day after his injuries were caused.

Among the 96 people who died includes 18-year-old Carl Brown, from Leigh, while Atherton man Stephen Whittle is known as the 97th Hillsborough victim.

The 50-year-old was wracked with guilt for selling a ticket to a friend who died in the disaster.

He committed suicide in 2011, jumping in front of a train.