Son of former Liverpool boss quits his job after S*n partnership

The son of former Liverpool manager Roy Evans has quit his job rather than having to sell products for the S*n.

Stephen Evans says he has been ‘overwhelmed’ with messages of respect and support, having quit his job after discovering the S*n motors – a website affiliated with the paper boycotted on Merseyside after it’s coverage of the 1989 Hillsbrough disaster – had become a partner of his employers Motors.co.uk.

That means Stephen would have been made to push S*n branded merchandise, as well as use the logo in presentations.

Stephen – who attended the match on 15th  April 1989 with Kenny Dalglish’s son Paul – resigned from his position with immediate effect, and has since been inundated with messages of support and offers of help in finding a new job.

Stephen, from Lydiate, told the Liverpool Echo: “It was a real shock to the system when I discovered the situation I was in.

“I have honestly not got a bad word to say about the company I worked for. I had some fantastic times there with some great people but they are a southern-based firm and obviously decided this was the direction they wanted to go in, which is up to them.

“It was hard to walk away without another job lined up but you have to stand up for what you believe in.

“I was at Hillsborough as a 14-year-old and had to walk across the pitch with Paul because our dads wanted us to be with them and know we were safe, so we saw exactly what happened on the day.

“People rightly hate The S*n because of what they printed but I think it goes deeper than that.

“What they said was the truth led much of the country to form a wrong opinion about what happened and that is one of the reasons why it has taken so long for the real truth to emerge.

“Whenever I even just see the name of that so-called newspaper, I get angry and the thought of having anything to do with it makes me feel sick, so the idea of having to go out and sell products linked to them was a complete non-starter, aside from the fact I’d never sell anything in Liverpool anyway!

“It’s easy enough to talk the talk. Walking the walk can sometimes be another matter but I’ve campaigned against them for 25 years like everyone else and I’d never be able to look myself in the mirror, regardless of not having a new job lined up, having bills to pay or who my dad is.

“When I realised what was going on, I said to him, ‘I honestly don’t think I can do this job any more’ and even though, my dad being my dad, he was mindful of me having to bills to pay and so on, we were all in agreement that the right thing to do was to walk away.

“I’ve had quite a few messages of support, including from people in employment agencies offering to help me find work, and I’m a little overwhelmed – but very grateful – for all the kind words.

“It was difficult having to walk away from a job like that and it was good of the company not to make me work my notice once I explained my reasons.

“I think people outside Liverpool find it hard to understand how raw it still is for everyone here, especially with the inquests going on at the moment, but, whatever happens with them, the pain and hurt The S*n caused will never go away or be forgotten, and rightly so.

“I’ve not done this to try and be a hero or anything. I just had to do what I felt was right and the reaction I’ve had from many people shows the solidarity many of us feel for the 96, the families, the survivors and all affected is as strong as ever.”

A spokesman for Motors.co.uk said: “We are very thankful to Steve for his time at Motors.co.uk. He always operated with a high level of integrity and, as such, we fully respect his decision.”