David Duckenfield denies the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool supportersHillsborough match commander David Duckenfield would have been capable of taking on the role if he had prepared "fully and diligently", his trial has heard. Douglas Hopkins, a former police officer who commanded matches at Arsenal's Highbury ground in the 1980s, said Duckenfield was experienced enough for the role. He said: "Having read his CV and heard what was said about him, his experience should have made him capable of taking on the role of match commander, subject to him having prepared himself fully and diligently." Asked by Richard Matthews QC, prosecuting, if Duckenfield fell short of a reasonably competent match commander, he said: "That's my opinion, sir." He said: "I would anticipate a reasonably competent match commander would be concerned by 2.30pm about a rapidly growing crowd at Leppings Lane turnstiles."

Source: Sky sports November 12, 2019 16:59 UTC