Thousands of fans are to march to Anfield calling on Justice Secretary Jack Straw to quickly release jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields.
Bishops, civic leaders and lawyers agree that student Michael was a victim of mistaken identity and wrongly jailed for attempted murder in Bulgaria in 2005.
Michael, now 22, was returned to the UK to serve out his sentence in 2007 but despite clear evidence of his innocence Jack Straw insisted he was powerless to free him.
In December last year the High Court made a historic ruling that Jack Straw is able to grant Michael a Royal Pardon.
But instead of releasing him Mr Straw ordered a QC's review of the evidence and then told Merseyside Police to open its first ever investigation of the case.
And as the legal machinery grinds on Michael continues to languish in a cell at Thorn Cross Prison in Cheshire.
Now frustrated Liverpool fans are to march a six-mile route from the city centre to Anfield when Blackburn Rovers - Jack Straw's team - are the visitors.
Leading the march will be Michael's parents Michael Shields Snr and his wife Maria gathering names for a new petition calling for their son's speedy release.
It is widely accepted that Michael was wrongly convicted of attempted murder by a court in Bulgaria as the victim of mistaken identity.
Michael's father is hoping Saturday's march will help force Jack Straw's hand and prompt him to act swiftly to order his release.
Window cleaner Michael Snr said: "Michael is an innocent lad who was wrongly convicted by a kangaroo court in Bulgaria.
"Jack Straw has been told that he has the power to release Mike so every day he spends behind bars is an an insult.
"With this march we want to send a clear message to Jack Straw in the hope he will see that Michael is released without further delay.
"He has never even tried to explain why Mike is still in jail or why he is dragging his heels and the more people that join the march then the louder our message will be."
Liverpool Labour councillor Joe Anderson said: "It is taking far too long to get Michael out of prison and back home with his parents.
"We want to remind Mr Straw that Michael is behind bars for something he didn't do.
"The family has so much support from the whole country and we want that support to be evident on Saturday.
"There is no excuse for Michael to spend any more time away from the people who love him and Mr Straw needs to see how the public feel about him time-wasting and stalling."
Michael was sentenced to 10 years for the attempted murder of barman Martin Georgiev on May 30, 2005 in the Black Sea resort of Varna.
Another Liverpool fan confessed to the crime but later withdrew the admission and Michael was convicted on discredited evidence after a shabby police investigation.
Saturday's march is being organised by the the Shields family and supporters together with the Liverpool fans union "Spirit of Shankly."
www.spiritofshankly.com
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