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Hillsborough inquests: David Duckenfield 'not best man for the job' Hillsborough inquests: David Duckenfield 'not best man for the job'
(35 minutes later)
The match commander at Hillsborough has told a jury he "was probably not the best man for the job on the day".The match commander at Hillsborough has told a jury he "was probably not the best man for the job on the day".
Former Ch Supt David Duckenfield was in charge when 96 Liverpool fans were fatally crushed at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium on 15 April 1989.Former Ch Supt David Duckenfield was in charge when 96 Liverpool fans were fatally crushed at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium on 15 April 1989.
The new inquests also heard he had "no recent experience" of policing at the stadium before the disaster.The new inquests also heard he had "no recent experience" of policing at the stadium before the disaster.
Mr Duckenfield, 70, said, in hindsight, it was a "serious mistake" to take the match commander role.Mr Duckenfield, 70, said, in hindsight, it was a "serious mistake" to take the match commander role.
'Limited' experience'Limited' experience
When the disaster happened, Mr Duckenfield had one season's experience of Hillsborough as a chief inspector, the jury heard. When the disaster happened, Mr Duckenfield had one season's experience at Hillsborough as a chief inspector, the jury heard.
Giving evidence at the new inquests, ordered after previous accidental death verdicts were overturned in 2012, for the first time, he said he had "no anxiety or hesitation" taking the match commander job. Giving evidence for the first time at the new inquests, he said he had "no anxiety or hesitation" about taking duty as match commander.
He said although he was "delighted at the promotion" with hindsight he "probably was not the best man for the job on the day". He said although he was "delighted at the promotion" he later came to think he "probably was not the best man for the job on the day".
But he added that at the time he was confident he was able to do it. Mr Duckenfield, dressed in a dark grey suit and purple tie, told the court: "With hindsight, I should have thought about my limited knowledge of the role of a commander in a major event, that was an all-ticket, sell-out, when I had not been responsible, or in that responsible position previously."
But at the time he was confident he was able to do it, and was assured he had an experienced team around him, he added.
"I did know what the job involved, but no-one, including me, knew what might evolve on the day and what difficulties we may face," he added.
Mr Duckenfield told the jury he was adamant his predecessor Brian Mole did not offer to help him in his new role, as has been claimed earlier in the inquests.Mr Duckenfield told the jury he was adamant his predecessor Brian Mole did not offer to help him in his new role, as has been claimed earlier in the inquests.
Previously, the jury heard that about 2,000 fans entered through an exit gate at the Leppings Lane end after Mr Duckenfield gave the order to open it.Previously, the jury heard that about 2,000 fans entered through an exit gate at the Leppings Lane end after Mr Duckenfield gave the order to open it.
Many of them ended up in the central terrace pens at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium where the disaster unfolded.Many of them ended up in the central terrace pens at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium where the disaster unfolded.
Questioned by counsel for the inquests Christina Lambert QC, Mr Duckenfield agreed his experience of planning and policing football matches was "very limited."
He confirmed to the jury he was familiar with the Green Guide - the government-issued sports ground safety manual.He confirmed to the jury he was familiar with the Green Guide - the government-issued sports ground safety manual.
Mr Duckenfield said he "had knowledge" of South Yorkshire Police's major incident plan - but did not know the codeword used to initiate it.Mr Duckenfield said he "had knowledge" of South Yorkshire Police's major incident plan - but did not know the codeword used to initiate it.
The hearing, being held in Warrington, Cheshire, continues.The hearing, being held in Warrington, Cheshire, continues.
Who were the 96 victims?Who were the 96 victims?
BBC News: Profiles of all those who diedBBC News: Profiles of all those who died