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Bradford Fire- 40 years ago today
clive
Posts: 19,441
A memorial service has been held to mark the 38th anniversary of the Bradford City fire in which 56 people died.
The disaster happened as Bradford City played Lincoln City at Valley Parade in the Bantams' final home game of the season on 11 May 1985.
As a result of the fire, 54 Bradford City fans and two Lincoln City supporters lost their lives.
The service took place at the Bradford City Fire Memorial sculpture in Centenary Square.
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RIP0
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Two future players of Charlton Steve Thompson and George Shipley played in that match.Can still see news coverage in my head.
RIP0 -
Stacey West stand...(away end..I think) named after the two Lincoln fans who died.1
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At sincil bank0
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I was 13 when I watched this unfolding and it’s the first major news story that really affected me. I cried and cried and cried in a way that I don’t think I ever had before. I can still remember an old guy who didn’t even realise his back was on fire and people rushing up to him to put it out.0
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Awful was at Dunfermline v Stranraer when that happened. I am sure we were at Man City that day.0
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Yep I was at Man City that day 48k there to see them promoted as we lamely lost 5-1
it was unbelievably gutting hearing the news getting back on the coach that day having minutes earlier being surrounded by City fans singing ‘loyal supporters’ to us swapping scarves and I think even a ‘we love you Charlton’0 -
An event that lives long in the memory even though I was ten at the time. The real time video of the events unfolding is still used occasionally by fire services to demonstrate fire growth. Not pleasant0
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Still recall the picture 9f the poor man whose head was on fire, I am sure he survived but just awful
RIP to all those who sadly lost their lives and best wishes to those still living with this nightmare.0 -
Correctheckington_reds said:Stacey West stand...(away end..I think) named after the two Lincoln fans who died.0 - Sponsored links:
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William Stacey age 72 andBoom said:
Correctheckington_reds said:Stacey West stand...(away end..I think) named after the two Lincoln fans who died.
William James West age 78
Four Minutes to Hell ,
The Story of the Bradford City Fire written by
Paul Firth.0 -
Like others I still have the tv images of that disaster in my head.One or two people with their hair alight.
RIP0 -
It was just an awful time. I grew up in Bradford, was there for the match before, and saw the fire. Just terrible. It was an old wooden stand that just went up and the bitter irony was that it had been intended to be it's last ever game ;- the steel to build a brand new stand was sat in that car park behind it. Nobody of my era from the city will ever forget where they were when they heard the news.3
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A memorial service marking the 39th anniversary of the Valley Parade Fire Disaster will be held this morning - in conjunction with Bradford Metropolitan District Council.
Taking place in Centenary Square, Bradford, by the Bradford City Fire Memorial, and beginning at 11.00am, the service will be attended by relatives and friends of the 56 people who lost their lives and were affected in 1985, as well as club and council officials and members of the public - who are all openly invited and encouraged to attend.
https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2024/may/annual-fire-memorial-service-today/
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This, Heysel and Hillsborough such great tragedies. Affected me greatly watching these scenes at the time as a youngster. All could have been averted. Rest in peace. 🙏1
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Remember watching this unfold on the tv, jaw dropping tragedy.0
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Remember it well, how could you see it and ever forget. Sadly, isn’t as much in the public eye as Hillsborough and the memorial is not as publicly acknowledged. A tragedy which could have happened at any number of the old school grounds.0
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CLUB STATEMENT: We are appalled and disgusted by the damage caused to the Valley Parade Fire Memorial at the University of Bradford Stadium this week.WTF 🤬, who would do such a thing, disgusting & disgraceful.0
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Neil Redfearn also appeared for Imps that dayLewis Coaches said:Two future players of Charlton Steve Thompson and George Shipley played in that match.Can still see news coverage in my head.
RIP0 -
Where were Chesterfield playing that day?Richard J said:
Neil Redfearn also appeared for Spirites that dayLewis Coaches said:Two future players of Charlton Steve Thompson and George Shipley played in that match.Can still see news coverage in my head.
RIP0 - Sponsored links:
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Sorry meant Lincolnclive said:
Where were Chesterfield playing that day?Richard J said:
Neil Redfearn also appeared for Spirites that dayLewis Coaches said:Two future players of Charlton Steve Thompson and George Shipley played in that match.Can still see news coverage in my head.
RIP0 -
40 years ago today
A film reliving the events of the day will be shown on BBC Two this evening at 21.00 & will be available on IPlayer shortly after the film ends.
Unforgotten: The Bradford City Fire
https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2025/may/10/annual-fire-memorial-service-to-be-held/
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/10/bradford-40-years-valley-parade-fire
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40 years! I cant believe it is 25 years since the Concorde crash either!clive said:40 years ago today
A film reliving the events of the day will be shown on BBC Two this evening at 21.00 & will be available on IPlayer shortly after the film ends.
Unforgotten: The Bradford City Fire
https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2025/may/10/annual-fire-memorial-service-to-be-held/
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/10/bradford-40-years-valley-parade-fire0 -
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Bloody hell, just finished watching the documentary on BBC2. Tough tough watch. An absolutely horrendous day.3
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Very good documentary and well worth getting on catch up if you didn't see it. But as @Clem_Snide says, a tough watch.
RIP the 56.0 -
I liked @clive’s post eve though it seems the wrong reaction in so many ways. Terrible moment that I recall all too vividly, particularly as I have family that support the club. I will watch soon; I’m sure it’s a tough watch.
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Recently on a course and this video was played to demonstrate how quick the fire spread. Really scary. I was a bit young to remember it at the time but will watch the documentary.cfgs said:An event that lives long in the memory even though I was ten at the time. The real time video of the events unfolding is still used occasionally by fire services to demonstrate fire growth. Not pleasant
RIP0 -
One of the most horrifying things I have watched unfold on the TV in my long football loving life.
RIP0 -
I watched that documentary last night. It is terrifying just how fast that fire spread. I hate to think what would have happened if there had been gates at the front preventing access to the pitch.0
