A day that should have been a celebration turned into a disaster.
1984/85 season, Bradford were in division 3. That season Bradford had played that well, they had won promotion. The final game of the season was against Lincoln City, a game that was been shown live on Yorkshire Television. The ground was full, as Bradford were presented with the division 3 trophy, and before the game the players were showing the cup to the fans. A time to celebrate, because in 1983 the club went bust.
The game started with the Bradford faithful cheering on the team. After 42 minutes of play, smoke started coming out of the main stand, now known as the Sunwin Stand. People were not really bothered at first. What the fans didn´t realise was that a disaster was about to unfold.
Within minutes the wooden stand was alight with people pouring out onto the pitch, some with their hair on fire, some with clothes on fire, some dead. Other fans were trying to rescue other fans. That day, not everyone returned home after a football game. That day 56 people died. 54 Bradford fans and 2 Lincoln fans.
After the fire an inquiry was set up. The results showed that the fire had started by a discarded cig. The result of this changed the way football grounds were designed. All wooden stands had to be replaced.
This year sees the 19th year since the fire. Every year at 11am a rememberance service takes place outside Bradford town hall. I go and so does my dad. It´s a time to remember those that died, and to say respects. I always put flowers down, it´s my way of remembering them.
Lets hope another disaster like Bradford never happens again............. To all 56, we remember you all.
