Bradford Fire- 40 years ago today

clive · May 2023

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.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3gvjq2mng7o

MrOneLung · May 2023

RIP

Lewis Coaches · May 2023

Two future players of Charlton Steve Thompson and George Shipley played in that match.

Can still see news coverage in my head.

RIP

heckington_reds · May 2023

Stacey West stand...(away end..I think) named after the two Lincoln fans who died.

heckington_reds · May 2023

At sincil bank

Uboat · May 2023

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.

Chippycafc · May 2023

Awful was at Dunfermline v Stranraer when that happened. I am sure we were at Man City that day.

oohaahmortimer · May 2023

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’

cfgs · May 2023

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

Chippycafc · May 2023

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.

Boom · May 2023

heckington_reds said:

Stacey West stand...(away end..I think) named after the two Lincoln fans who died.

Correct

Lewis Coaches · May 2023

Boom said:

heckington_reds said:

Stacey West stand...(away end..I think) named after the two Lincoln fans who died.

Correct

William Stacey age 72 and
William James West age 78

Four Minutes to Hell ,
The Story of the Bradford City Fire written by
Paul Firth.

Addictedoldgit · May 2023

Like others I still have the tv images of that disaster in my head.

One or two people with their hair alight.

RIP

SteveKielyCambridge · May 2023

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.

clive · May 2024

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/

ValleyOfTears · May 2024

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. 🙏

soapy_jones · May 2024

Remember watching this unfold on the tv, jaw dropping tragedy.

RaplhMilne · May 2024

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.

guinnessaddick · March 28

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.

Richard J · March 28

Lewis Coaches said:

Two future players of Charlton Steve Thompson and George Shipley played in that match.
Can still see news coverage in my head.

RIP

Neil Redfearn also appeared for Imps that day

clive · March 28

Richard J said:

Lewis Coaches said:

Two future players of Charlton Steve Thompson and George Shipley played in that match.
Can still see news coverage in my head.

RIP

Neil Redfearn also appeared for Spirites that day

Where were Chesterfield playing that day?

Richard J · March 28

clive said:

Richard J said:

Lewis Coaches said:

Two future players of Charlton Steve Thompson and George Shipley played in that match.
Can still see news coverage in my head.

RIP

Neil Redfearn also appeared for Spirites that day

Where were Chesterfield playing that day?

Sorry meant Lincoln

clive · 5:50AM

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

Hal1x · 5:54AM

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-fire

40 years! I cant believe it is 25 years since the Concorde crash either!

aliwibble · 7:48AM

There's a 2 part piece in The Athletic too

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6096520/2025/05/09/the-bradford-city-fire-40-years-on-i-can-still-hear-the-crackling-of-the-timber-burning/

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6209924/2025/05/10/bradford-city-fire-40-years-football-city-response-safety/

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Bradford Fire- 40 years ago today

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