The six people facing charges over Hillsborough

David Duckenfield – chief superintendent

Duckenfield was promoted by the then South Yorkshire chief constable Peter Wright to replace Chief Supt Brian Mole as commander of F division and Hillsborough 19 days before the semi-final. He was previously a city centre superintendent, with duties including policing Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane stadium, but had never commanded a match at Hillsborough before. Duckenfield retired aged 55 in 1992.

Norman Bettison – inspector

Bettison’s role included writing most of the force’s account of the disaster in the Wain report to Lord Justice Taylor. His role was lent greater prominence because in 1998, he became chief constable of Merseyside police, to the fury of Hillsborough families.

Donald Denton – chief superintendent

Denton was a senior administrator based at Snig Hill police headquarters in Sheffield and had the job of liaising with West Midlands police, the force brought in to conduct the investigation for Taylor and the first coroner. He gathered evidence from police officers in the aftermath of the disaster and had overall responsibility for vetting officers’ statements.

Peter Metcalf – force solicitor

He was a solicitor at Hammond Suddards appointed by Municipal Mutual, South Yorkshire police’s insurer, which would pay damages resulting from civil claims brought by injured and bereaved people. He was a partner at Hammond Suddards, but has since left the firm. The Law Society website says he is registered as a solicitor with his own firm, PC Metcalf.

Graham Mackrell, Sheffield Wednesday club secretary

A qualified accountant, Mackrell was club secretary at Bournemouth and Luton before he took on the same role at Sheffield Wednesday in 1986. He was effectively the chief executive and had overall control of safety matters, reporting to the board. Mackrell is currently a director of the League Managers Association.

Alan Foster – chief inspector

The deputy to Donald Denton.