Service marks 40 years since Bradford City fire

Relatives and friends of those who died oregon were injured successful the Bradford City occurrence were among the assemblage of radical who attended a 40th day memorial service.

The work took spot astatine the Bradford City Fire Memorial sculpture successful Centenary Square astatine 11:00 BST.

The City of Bradford Brass Band played You'll Never Walk Alone, earlier the City Hall doorbell tolled 56 times to people the fig of radical who died. A wreath was besides laid connected behalf of King Charles III.

Mayor of Bradford Beverley Mullaney said the work was acceptable up to assistance radical "come unneurotic to wage tribute".

She added: "It is important to the metropolis and territory that we instrumentality clip to retrieve those who were affected and those who proceed to beryllium affected by the tragic events connected 11 May 1985."

The work besides included Canon Pastor Oliver Evans, who is the Bradford City AFC nine chaplain, giving a invited speech.

And Reverend Andy Bowerman, Dean of Bradford, besides gave a abbreviated reflection.

The rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone was chosen due to the fact that of the song's relation with the tragedy.

Within days of the disaster, a supergroup including Gerry Marsden, Rick Wakeman, the Who's John Entwistle, Phill Lynott, Motorhead and the Nolans joined a fig of TV and sports stars connected a caller mentation of the classical terrace anthem. It reached fig 1 successful the charts and proceeds were donated to the families of those affected by the fire.

After the memorial work finished, the City Hall opened for a abbreviated portion for fans and visitors to presumption a memorial doorbell astatine the apical of the civic staircase successful the hall.

The bell, which came from the archetypal occurrence motor to get connected the country connected 11 May 1985, was donated to the metropolis by the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Bradford City were playing Lincoln City successful their past location lucifer of the play erstwhile a fire ripped done the Valley Parade stadium with 11,000 fans watching.

Fifty 4 Bradford City supporters died, on with 2 travelling Lincoln supporters, arsenic good arsenic injuring much than 260.