By Nick Martin, Sky News Correspondent
The police officer in charge during the Hillsborough disaster has told the inquests into the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans that the four hours in the run up to kick-off are "a complete blank".
Former chief superintendent David Duckenfield, the match commander, has been giving evidence for a second day in the new inquests into Britain's worst sporting tragedy.
He said he held a briefing on the morning of the game but had "no recollection" of what he did between 10am until 2pm, an hour before the start scheduled of the match.
Under cross-examination from Christina Lambert QC, counsel to the inquest, the retired officer said it was "remarkable" that he could not remember that period.
He said: "Between giving the briefing and appearing in the control box is a complete blank. There are blanks.
"As to why it's blank, I don't know. But that's how it is in my mind."
The 70-year old said he could not remember patrolling the stadium before the game but was "sure" he had looked at plans showing the layout, the inquest heard.
"After all this time, I have to confess I don't know what I did after the briefing," he said.
"I don't recall touring the ground. I have no detailed recollection of what I did that day."
From the witness box Mr Duckenfield said he had only a "basic knowledge" of the Hillsborough stadium.
Asked by Ms Lambert QC whether he "missed a golden opportunity" to patrol the ground prior to the match to learn about exits and stands, he replied: "I can't disagree with your suggestion but I am afraid I can't answer your question."
The inquest heard how Mr Duckenfield held a briefing on 14 April, the day before the match, in which he wrote in a report and delivered, he said, word-for-word: "I cannot stress too highly the word safety.
"The ground will be full to capacity today and some of you may never have experienced a football match of this nature.
"Our job is to ensure the safety of spectators."
The jury was told that a police intelligence report noted that the behaviour of Liverpool fans in 1989 had been "quite good" but noted some incidents at away matches where Stanley knives and weapons had been discarded "a short distance from the turnstiles".
There were reports, the inquest was told, of "pickpockets and travelling thieves" attending matches.
Mr Duckenfield told the jury: "I had no personal evidence or major doubts that this match wouldn't pass off in a normal manner."
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