Hillsborough stories: Paul David Brady

A refrigeration engineer from Liverpool, Paul Brady was picked up and driven to Hillsborough by two friends, who both survived.

This is the full statement to the inquests read by his brother, Michael Brady:

Good morning. I would like to read you this statement on behalf of my mother, Marian:

Paul David Brady was born on 23 August, 1967 and was 21 at the time of his death.

Paul lived at home with his parents, Marian and Harry, his two older brothers, Michael and Ian, and his younger sister, Janet. Paul's Dad has since died.

Paul had a very bubbly and outgoing personality and was very popular with his mates and had lots of friends, both male and female.

From a very young age Paul loved playing football and cricket and spent many happy hours with his friends in the park playing both of these sports. When he was about 11 or 12, he developed an interest in fishing and I would often go with one of his Dad's friends to fish in the sea, leaving the house sometimes at five o'clock in the morning.

Paul was an avid football fan with a love for his team. Paul's older brother Michael was also a Liverpool supporter and still is. Michael and Paul went to watch Liverpool play both home and away.

'Season ticket holders'

They both had season tickets for Liverpool. The away matches were always special days, which Paul thoroughly enjoyed.

Paul decided that he did not want to continue at school and go on to university like his older brother, Michael. He left school at 16 with six GCSEs and went straight from school into an apprenticeship as a refrigeration engineer. It was a job he loved.

Paul was very practically minded and excelled when working with his hands. He did so well at this that at the age of 18 he was given his own van and was trusted to work on his own.

'A people person'

When he supervised his first large installation, a large industrial cold store, he received a letter of praise and congratulations from his employers. At the time of his death, he had his own apprentice working under his supervision.

Paul was extremely popular. He was a great communicator. He loved to socialise and was very much a people person. He loved travelling abroad with his friends and enjoyed many holidays in France and Austria, as he especially enjoyed skiing.

A gang of them had been skiing in the February prior to his death. Upon his return he told us all about the joys of skiing. He was also planning to take an extended holiday in Australia with some of his friends and he was seeking approval for an extended time away from work from his employers.

I have so, so many special memories of Paul it would be hard for me to pick out just one. He was fun loving, the joker in our family, always smiling and such a joy to be around. And it goes without saying that we all miss him to this day.