A service has been held in Bradford to remember the victims of the 1985 Bradford City Fire Disaster.
The 38th-anniversary memorial service in Centenary Square was attended by club officials, manager Mark Hughes and his first team squad.
Families of the victims of the fire disaster, along with Professor Ajay Mahajan, from the Bradford Burns Unit, were among those who laid wreaths.
The service remembered the 56 people who died in one of the worst tragedies ever witnessed in professional sports.
More than 250 people were injured at Valley Parade on May 11, 1985, when Bradford City faced Lincoln City on the final day of the season.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Martin Love, spoke passionately during the service about a tragedy that affected many people connected to the League Two club.
He said: “Thirty-eight years ago, eleven thousand plus people went to watch a football match on a Saturday afternoon.
“All of us expected to return to our loved ones afterwards. Fifty-six never got to go back to their loved ones.
“We remember that not all scars are visible. We keep everyone affected by the tragedy in our hearts today.”
Bradford Fire Disaster a pivotal moment in English football
The Bradford Fire Disaster was one of the most shocking events in English football, yet is often overlooked by the wider football community.
However, it should never be forgotten the profound effect the incident had on so many people.
The horrific scenes were not only witnessed by everyone in attendance but also across the country on live television.
The disaster led to new safety standards being introduced in stadiums – helping to create a more hospitable environment for supporters.
Despite this, the disaster is often ignored by the mainstream media, who largely focus their attention on other ‘higher-profile’ tragedies.
Today’s service is a poignant reminder that 56 people did not come home from a football match – they should NEVER be forgotten.
