Bradford City Stadium Fire 56 Dead & 100's Injured. I walked past a public telephone outside the ground and there were queues of people waiting to ring home. [] I still have terrible memories of the day, but it is the humanity of those that helped us that I reflect on."[41]. The stand had no perimeter fencing to keep fans from accessing the pitch, thus averting an instance of crush asphyxia as in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. A truly horrific day which should never be forgotten. Performance Analyst: Scott Dyer. [58] Following this report, Leslie Brownlie, who was the nephew in question, is reported to have said that his uncle never made such an admission of starting the fire. by Maja Fri May 11, 2018 8:45 am, Post The scriptwriters' hours of interviews with those caught up in the horror are distilled into the narratives of three survivors, and the casual horrors of what befell football supporters that day are all in there. "I became an adult overnight at 12 and I'm still there," Fletcher says, and you wonder what's next, now that the book which has become his life's work is published. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. The aim is to preserve these memories for posterity as part of the club's museum at Valley Parade, together with a DVD, podcasts and more. We had not been told anything. ', Bradford City Fire Website messages of condolence from around the world, "Chuckle Brothers' single for Bradford City fire anniversary", "Bradford City stadium fire: The untold stories of the 1985 fire", "Emotive play of Bradford City fire disaster raises cash for burns unit", "Book Review: Four Minutes to Hell: The Story of the Bradford City Fire by Paul Firth football book reviews", "Football Focus 1st May 2010 Bradford City Part 1", Bradford City A year of healing Documentary, "Bradford fire: expert demands new investigation into blaze", "Bradford City stadium fire 1985 IPCC investigation decision", "BRADFORD CITY FIRE: Accidental cause of tragedy 'not in any doubt', says detective", "Bradford City fire 'started by cigarette', "Bradford City fire: Briton attacks 'inaccurate' BBC documentary claiming his uncle started blaze", "Bradford fire: Sir Oliver Popplewell defends 1985 inquiry interview in full", Living with Jacko From Touchline to Lifeline, Fifty-Six: The Story of the Bradford Fire, The full Interim Report by Lord Popplewell into the Bradford City Fire, British Medical Journal article on the treatment of burns casualties after the Bradford City Fire, Peter Jackson's account of the Bradford City Fire, Nationally broadcast Yorkshire Television programme covering the fire, broadcast the following day, ITN bulletin covering the fire, also from the following day, ITN bulletin covering the aftermath, from three days later, Chelsea F.C. However, when Bradford City won promotion to the highest level of English football, Division One, in 1908, club officials sanctioned an upgrade programme. [56], On 17 April 2015, retired Detective Inspector Raymond Falconer, in a report by the Bradford Telegraph and Argus, said the police were aware of an Australian man who admitted to starting the fire. It's the Ormondroyd & Stockman names that get to me - both of them dad and two sons. In terms of property types, flats in BD6 1HR sold for an average of 44,840 and terraced houses for 78,507. In terms of property types, flats in Ormondroyd Avenue sold for an average of 43,868 and terraced houses for 78,013. Fire crews from . Amazing that just 18 days later the Heysel tragedy occured,a dark month for football. He became famous for his height and build, in a similar manner to that of Peter Crouch . I go to the football with my two children (both adults now) and have done for many,many years. I remember watching it unfold on tv, it was heartbreaking. The Bradford City stadium fire occurred during a Football League Third Division match on Saturday, 11 May 1985 at the Valley Parade stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, killing 56 spectators and injuring at least 265.The stadium was known for its antiquated design and facilities, which included the wooden roof of the main stand. And Bradford seemed happy with it: five days of testimony, a 27-page report and everyone moved on. "[27], After controversial comments made by Popplewell about the Hillsborough Disaster, Fletcher raised further concerns about the events following the fire saying that "I have many unanswered questions still about the fire in which four of my family died, as does my mother. Death Notice. The horrible thing is reading that list the number of fatalities that were obviously families wiped out. More than 250 others were injured in one of the. Jane Ashley Stockman (16) Norman Hall (71) However, the celebratory mood soon turned into one of shock and horror when, at around 3:40 pm, the main stand at Valley Parade became engulfed by flames which reduced the entire wooden structure to cinders. These 10 users liked this post: Bop bobinho ashtonlongsider Rick_Muller JohnMac IanMcL ClaretMoffitt Juan Tanamera bfcjg FCBurnley. "But I'd never heard of the Bradford disaster until I auditioned for this," she says. This is according to the current Zoopla estimates. It was the place where her boys had been growing into their secondary education when the fire took them. Reading back the transcript in a 21st-century, Hillsborough Inquiry environment you expect this to be the moment when Popplewell pushes Woolley to elaborate. "[16] At the front of the stand, men threw children over the wall to help them escape. The fire was described as the worst fire disaster in the history of British football, and the worst football related disaster since 66spectators died at Ibrox in 1971. Powered By, Research,Grants and Collaboration Committee, University Institutional Ethics Committee, Buildings and Estate Services Committee (Including Transport), Students counselling and Mentoring Committee, University Institutional Animal Ethics Committee, Literary Arts, Cultural and Important Days Celebrations Committee, Students, Staff . by groove Fri May 11, 2018 10:48 pm, Post He starts trying to explain what happened when the smoke filled the stand and he can't do it, just breaks down. Gerald tragically died in the Bradford City stadium fire on 11th May 1985 along with his sons, Richard and Robert. Please use the search above if you cannot find the record you require. The stand became an inferno in about 5 minutes. [26], In July 1985, an inquest was held into the deaths; at the hearings the coroner James Turnbull recommended a death by misadventure outcome, with which the jury agreed. His afternoon intersected with that of Preston, who was in an ambulance on his way to St Luke's hospital to be treated for burns when a 12-year-old was bundled aboard, concerned only at the moment to know "how did Leeds United get on" that day. He remembers people coming out of the ground and going into his house and phoning people. They were donated by Bradford's twin city of Hamm, Germany, and are situated in front of Bradford City Hall in both locations. [27], Explaining his decision, Sir Joseph Cantley stated: "As I have already stated, the primary duty was on the Club and the functions of the County Council were supervisory and its liability is for negligent breach of a common law duty arising out of the way in which they dealt with or ignored their statutory powers. The main fire safety system failed disastrously in a blaze at a Bronx apartment building in January, killing 17 people, The New York Times has found. A total of 56 people - 54 Bradford fans and two. The play reflects that it had been "the Yorkshire way" not to make a fuss, to bear a loss and move on. It is a simple account laid out for all to see. Together, flanked by undocumented supporters, they managed to clear all but one person who made it to the front of the stand. [4] Football ground writer Simon Inglis had described the view from the stand as "like watching football from the cockpit of a Sopwith Camel" because of its antiquated supports and struts. There was no appetite for a re-enactment of events, such as that which Dublin embarked upon when a fire at the Stardust nightclub fire in Arcane claimed 48 lives in 1981. The men with no hair feeling the searing pain first; supporters entering hospital with their hands melted to their heads by the asphalt which has leaked from the stadium roof; a fan's trilby hat igniting. Peter Charles Lovell (43) "Yes you've already told us you were concerned," the inquiry's QC effectively says, before he moves the conversation along. Picture date: Thursday August 25, 2022. Danni Phillips, the young London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art actor who spent hour after hour listening back to the scriptwriters' interviews in preparation for her beautifully observed role in The 56, hails from South Yorkshire, half an hour down the M1 and her father played football for Halifax Town. [45] PCs Peter Donald Barrett and David Charles Midgley, along with spectators Michael William Bland and Timothy Peter Leigh received the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct. Probably the most horrific scenes I have ever seen in football. The smoke was choking. Bradford played its part in that. Edmund Anderton (68) [40] Matthew Wildman was 17 at the time and needed crutches to walk because of rheumatoid arthritis. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, Calif. -- A brush fire burning Monday morning on the peat wetlands of Bradford Island in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta has charred 212 acres and prompted some . The fire destroyed the main stand completely and left only burned seats, lamps and metal fences remaining. . Bradford City continues to support the burns unit at the University of Bradford as its official charity. Among the main outcomes of the inquiry were the banning of new wooden grandstands at all UK sports grounds, the immediate closure of other wooden stands deemed unsafe and the banning of smoking in other wooden stands. Gregg Ormondroyd has denied sleeping with his sick wife's carer. Whether they don't feel welcome, for instance. ", On 26 January 2016, the IPCC declined calls for an investigation and published its full response online. If you need a guest pass please contact the ticket office at 480-727-0000 to make sure your seats are together. Frederick Hindle (76) Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please It occurred during a league match, on Saturday, 11 May 1985, killing 56 and injuring at least 265. "Sometimes, it's more of a social thing than a football thing. We stayed in the pub for hours. Leo Anthony Coxon (44) by tim_noone Fri May 11, 2018 11:37 pm, Powered by phpBB Forum Software phpBB Limited, This Forum is the main messageboard to discuss all things Claret and Blue and beyond. A former Bradford City player is asking for people's memories of the club's past - both good and bad. "Take care if you are in the area and allow space for the crews . Peter Greenwood (46) Called 'The 56' the play dramatises actual accounts of the Bradford City Fire with the purpose of the play showing how in times of adversity, the Football Club and the local community came together. [10] Of those who died, 11 were under-18 and 23 were aged 65 or over,[20] and the oldest victim was the club's former chairman, Sam Firth, aged 86. He is quoted as saying: "I don't believe the statement of retired Detective Inspector Raymond Falconer at all. The blaze broke. on: May 11, 2012, 10:28:10 am . "What kind of 'mechanism'?" Thoughts and prayers to the 56 who lost their lives in this truly awful and harrowing tragedy. The footage never gets any less shocking. Didn't realise gabby Logan was doing a documentary now on BT To Add there were some nice floral tributes there today. A former Bradford City player is asking for people's memories of the club's past - both good and bad. "[59], Raymond Falconer's reliability had previously been questioned by Daniel Taylor in The Guardian who stated that: "The Bradford Telegraph and Argus described him as a 'top detective'. That was nothing compared with the time it took to interview witnesses in the Hillsborough Inquiry.". [10] One eyewitness, Geoffrey Mitchell, told the BBC: "It spread like a flash. RF 2FMDJ1J - Jake Trueman (6) of Castleford Tigers is tackled by Jack Ormondroyd (25) of Salford Red Devils. "That made me angry: that people don't know about this.". A capacity 6,000 crowd attended a multi-denominational memorial service, held on the pitch in the sunny shadow of the burnt out stand at Valley Parade in July 1985. by tiger76 Fri May 11, 2018 11:31 pm, Post Forest Green new stadium going to be made out of wood. A minute later he saw a small plume of smoke so he poured his coffee on it and so did his son. [citation needed] Mathew Wildman, aged 17 at the time of the fire, commented that "I must have had five different experiments carried out on me with all sorts of new techniques for skin grafts and I had potions injected into me that helped my face repair naturally over time. Peter Fletcher (32) Fifty-four Bradford City supporters and two Lincoln fans would die in the horror, the youngest were three 11-year old boys, the oldest being the clubs former chairman, Sam Firth who was 86. [45] In total, 28 police officers and 22 supporters, who were publicly documented as having saved at least one life, later received police commendations or bravery awards. Fletcher said that "The club at the time took no actual responsibility for its actions and nobody has ever really been held accountable for the level of negligence which took place. [2] The main stand was described as a "mammoth structure", but was unusual for its time because of its place on the side of a hill. He was actually one of the detectives involved in one of the gravest miscarriages of justices in the country, the murder of Carol Wilkinson in Bradford, where someone was locked up for 20 years for a murder he didn't commit."[60]. Ian says that Bantamspast is about much more than just the football: "It's where people come socially. Nellie Forster (64) Some had been crushed as they tried to crawl under turnstiles to escape while a man who was captured on television running across the pitch on fire later died in hospital of his injuries. It detailed the safety work which would be carried out at Valley Parade as a result of the club's promotion, admitting the ground was "inadequate in so many ways for modern requirements". "A football club's an integral part of the city you're in. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Editors' Code of Practice. The CNN sports correspondent Alex Thomas was a school friend and he always asked Fletcher why he didn't have the ambition to make a go of it in that world. Harold Mitchell (79) Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS7. The fire was merciless and took victims as young as 11 and as old as 86. Crowds on the pitch at the Valley Parade stadium after a stand caught fire Getty Images. Born in Bradford, Yorkshire, Ormondroyd played for Bradford City, Oldham Athletic, Aston Villa, Derby County, Leicester City, Hull City and Scunthorpe United. From the tragic fire at Valley Parade in May 1985 to the club's slide from the Premier League to administration in more recent years, people will obviously have many memories of Bradford City FC - both positive and negative. We will remember them. It was a disaster waiting to happen - wooden stand, no risers, smoking in the stand and the space underneath the stand full of paper - roof probably also had years of tar as waterproofing. Naquin's 3-run homer in 9th gives Reds 10-7 win over Twins The Cincinnati Reds didn't look drained to manager David Bell, despite this recent slide. by FCBurnley Fri May 11, 2018 2:53 pm, Post Police have revealed the identity of the man who they believe was responsible for . The Bradford City stadium fire was the worst fire disaster in the history of football. There was a documentary on local Yorkshire TV a couple of years ago, the guy who does the weather reports here was at the game as a youngster. All you could see was a black cloud, all you could hear was sirens and screams and all you could smell was burning.. Christopher Hammond, who was 12 on the day, said on the 20th anniversary of the fire: "As a 12-year-old, it was easy to move on I didn't realise how serious it was until I looked at the press coverage over the next few days. That journey back to Lincoln was the quietest and most miserable I have ever known. The stand had been officially condemned and was due to be replaced with a steel structure after the season ended. They were at fault, but the fault was that no-one in authority seems ever to have properly appreciated the real gravity of this fire hazard and consequently no-one gave it the attention it certainly ought to have received. The Valley Parade fire took hold, it has always been said, because a match must have been dropped into the reservoir of rubbish in the dark cavity beneath the main stand's seats. Popplewell's report was nowhere close to the quality of Lord Justice Taylor's report after Hillsborough, and since reading it as an adult I have always been very disappointed in it and considered it a poor piece of work. Some of those back in Bradford have not welcomed his turning over of the stones. There were a lot of wooden stands in those days, PNE Bury to name but two. On the recording are Dene Michael (Black Lace), The Chuckle Brothers, Clive Jackson of Dr & The Medics, Owen Paul, Billy Pearce, Billy Shears, Flint Bedrock, Danny Tetley and Rick Wild of The Overlanders. Read more aboutresponsible gambling. #RIP56 pic.twitter.com/w2OyUxT5as, Never forgotten #rip56 #bcafc ? He had to undergo counselling and was unable to go to another game for several years. The 1984/85 season had been one of the most successful in Bradford Citys 82-year history. The extraordinary part of all this is that this testimony has barely been heard. I got pushed down to the front and I remember looking around and suddenly this smouldering, small fire had taken over virtually half a block and was starting to hit the roof. As part of Bantamspast, Ian's actually hoping to dig a little deeper to find out just why some people choose to actively avoid Valley Parade completely on matchdays: "Perhaps we'll find out why they don't come. The information on housing, people, culture, employment and education that is displayed about Ormondroyd Avenue, Bradford, BD6 1HR is based on the last census performed in the UK in 2011. But looking back and seeing how much it really affected my dad makes me realise what we went through." Each year Lincoln send representatives to the annual memorial service in Bradford city centre and between 2007 and 2009, were managed by Bradford's captain that day, Peter Jackson. The Popplewell Inquiry found that the club had been warned about the fire risk that the rubbish accumulating under the stand had posed. Since then, it has been further re-developed and, today, Valley Parade is a modern 25,136 all-seater stadium, which is virtually unrecognisable from how it was at the time of the disaster, save for the original clubhouse that still stands beside the main stand, and the flank support wall that runs down the Hollywell Ash Lane at the "Bradford End". 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