On 15 April 1989 , the ground was the scene of one of the worst sporting tragedies of all time . 94 Liverpool fans were crushed to death in an FA Cup semi-final . On 15 April 1989 , the ground was the scene of one of the worst sporting tragedies of all time when 94 Liverpool fans ( the final death toll was 96 ) were crushed to death in an FA Cup semi-final in the infamous Hillsborough disaster .