Remembering the Bradford City fire

[ClaretTony]

32 years ago today, Burnley won at Walsall 3-2 but were still on the brink of dropping into the Fourth Division, which we did, for the first time in the club's history.

More Importantly

32 years ago today, 56 people lost their lives attending the Bradford City v Lincoln City game, a celebration for the home side who had just won promotion. Our thoughts with the two clubs today and all those affected by the events on that tragic day.

[ClaretDiver]

I remember being on a Scout camp and listening to the game on the radio when the fire broke out...we were sat in our tent just listening to the horror unfold! Absolute tragedy! RIP

[happyclaret17]

I remember being on the coach coming back from an away game hearing about the fire..football all of a sudden became so insignificant.

[No Ney Never]

One of those significant events in one's life that once seen, can never be forgotten. While I wasn't affected personally, what I saw on TV that day will live with me forever. People scrambling to get out of the stand, the ferocity of the blaze, the copper with his hair on fire, terrible. Absolutely terrible. Rest In Peace.

[FulledgeClaret]

I remember this happening, the footage is haunting but the thing you notice most on the memorial is by the names and ages of the people that sadly lost their lives that day is the number the dads with their sons, grandfathers with their kids and grand kids, the brothers, and the old couples. Whole generations of families wiped out. RIP to all 56 of them.

[Herts Clarets]

I went to watch the Barbon Hillclimb with my Dad,as was usual back then. On the way to Higherford we passed the scene of a crash, a car had failed to negotiate the right hander as you enter Barrowford and had gone into the wall. As we drove past, i realised it was a guyi worked with who had smashed his car.

Whilst watching the car racing at Barbon, i had the radio on to listen to the footy and the news was breaking about the fire. When i got home in the evening i was met with the shocking and tragic scenes from Valley Parade. We had been there 2 or 3 weeks earlier for a 3-2 defeat from memory.

I know for many years the full footage of the disaster was not available on You Tube for obvious reasons and i first saw the whole horror 7 or 8 years ago on a fire safety course. They used the footage with a timer clock to show just how quickly fire can spread. I had seen it many years before at the time of the fire, but those in the room who hasn't seen it were stunned by the speed and ferocity. One of the worst days for English football and the poor families who lost loved ones. I think it was also this day when a young Birmingham City fan was killed during mass fighting and pitch invasions involving Blues and Leeds fans.

RIP to all who lost their lives that day.

[ClaretTony]

We had been there 2 or 3 weeks earlier for a 3-2 defeat from memory.

It was three weeks earlier - I was stood on the open end that day.

My next visit to Valley Parade was soon afterwards when I represented our supporters club, a day I will never forget.

[Herts Clarets]

I was in the open end too for that game. Grewcock and Biggins pulled it back to 2-2 then they got a late winner?

[aggi]

I may have posted this before but an informal account from someone who was there (some bad language) https://generallucifer.wordpress.com/20 ... r-minutes/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[IanMcL]

I remember a man's hair in flames.


Not long after, we played Wolves and a car caught fire outside the ground. Smoke billowed up and over the stand....anyone remember that and connect the two incidents at the time?

[claptrappers_union]

Ive seen that YouTube footage the commentator describing the scenes unfold... imagine if there were fences at the front, it would be been thousands wouldn't have gone home that day.

[Wilsdenclaret]

Living in Bradford, I remember driving down the M606 and seeing the plumes of smoke on the horizon as I listened to events unfolding on the radio, still sends a chill down the spine now.............and some folks think Health & Safety is a bad thing

[cricketfieldclarets]

My dad spends a lot of time over that way, particularly Bingley. He is there this morning and has left his own tribute. His lucky Burnley scarf which always tends to bring us good luck. Lets hope it brings the same to Bradford in The Play offs this year. Always had a soft spot for Bradford. A lot of similarities with us.

[Quickenthetempo]

It doesn't bare thinking about does it?

Rest in peace the 56 football fans that never went home.

Just read that two were Lincoln fans.

[Caballo]

I may have posted this before but an informal account from someone who was there (some bad language) https://generallucifer.wordpress.com/20 ... r-minutes/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for posting that aggi, I was going to 'like' your post but it somehow didn't feel appropriate.

[DAVETHEVICAR]

The 2 LincolnyCity fans have had a Stand named after them at Sincil Bank
The Stacey West Stand

[ClaretTony]

Memorial service held today in Bradford today

[tim_noone]

You can only imagine the terror of the situation,youngsters possibbly seperated from parents..husbands from wives. Old wooden stands what were we thinking back then....? Yes we had the old bob lord stand well rickety.hindsight is ,as they say a wonderful thing.rip.

[cricketfieldclarets]

The away end at goodison is a death trap. Surprised nothings happened there.

[tim_noone]

The away end at goodison is a death trap. Surprised nothings happened there.

No smoking ...... and electrical safety in place probably

[cricketfieldclarets]

Amazingly people still smoke i the cfs though so dont think goodison would be any different to them simpletons.