On this day 24 years ago 56 innocent football fans died needlessly in a fire at the Valley Parade ground, home of Bradford City FC.
I had spent the day watching Manchester City thrash Charlton Athletic 5-1 at Maine Road, thus gaining promotion to the top flight of English football.
My joy was short lived when I saw the tragic events in Bradford unfold on the news.
On Saturday 11th May 1985, as Bradford City Football Club captured the 3rd Division title a devastating fire engulfed the main stand at their Valley Parade ground killing 56 supporters.
Late in the first half smoke was spotted in the old stand and the fire brigade called. Evacuations began within four minutes and the match abandoned. Over 11,000 fans then witnessed the entire stand quickly go up in flames.
The cause of the fire was put down to the accidental dropping of a match or cigarette stubbed out in a polystyrene cup, reminiscent of the tube disaster in London, where old wooden structures, rubbish and dust burnt very rapidly.
Mr Justice Popwell's official enquiry report was supposed to bring about new legislation governing safety at the nation's sports grounds and stadia, especially the lower divisions antiquated wooden stands that had been in use for decades. He also stated that, "The importance of allowing full access to the pitch where this is likely to be used as a place of safety in an emergency should be plain" A recommendation clearly ignored by the authorities as was to be so tragically exposed fours years later at Hillsborough....
RIP.
I had spent the day watching Manchester City thrash Charlton Athletic 5-1 at Maine Road, thus gaining promotion to the top flight of English football.
My joy was short lived when I saw the tragic events in Bradford unfold on the news.
On Saturday 11th May 1985, as Bradford City Football Club captured the 3rd Division title a devastating fire engulfed the main stand at their Valley Parade ground killing 56 supporters.
Late in the first half smoke was spotted in the old stand and the fire brigade called. Evacuations began within four minutes and the match abandoned. Over 11,000 fans then witnessed the entire stand quickly go up in flames.
The cause of the fire was put down to the accidental dropping of a match or cigarette stubbed out in a polystyrene cup, reminiscent of the tube disaster in London, where old wooden structures, rubbish and dust burnt very rapidly.
Mr Justice Popwell's official enquiry report was supposed to bring about new legislation governing safety at the nation's sports grounds and stadia, especially the lower divisions antiquated wooden stands that had been in use for decades. He also stated that, "The importance of allowing full access to the pitch where this is likely to be used as a place of safety in an emergency should be plain" A recommendation clearly ignored by the authorities as was to be so tragically exposed fours years later at Hillsborough....
RIP.
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