Bradford fire: Football world remembers the day 32 years ago when 56 people died in the Valley Parade stadium fire
The blaze was caused by a cigarette setting alight rubbish in the wooden stand, and led to 54 Bradford fans and two Lincoln City fans losing their lives
TODAY is the anniversary of the Valley Parade stadium fire that saw 56 football fans lose their lives.
On May 11, 1985 Bradford City were entertaining Lincoln City in a home game in what was supposed to be a celebration after achieving promotion.
But the day will forever be remembered for all the wrong reasons, as a huge blaze broke out in one of the wooden stands.
Fifty-four Bradford fans and two Lincoln fans died.
It is believed the fire was started by a discarded cigarette that set alight rubbish underneath the stand.
In a matter of minutes the entire side of the ground was on fire in some of the most devastating scenes ever witnessed at a football match.
The tragedy led to the football association encouraging all clubs to improve their grounds by applying for grants in a bid to never witness the terrible scenes of that day in 1985.
Today, the Yorkshire club have been inundated on social media with messages of condolence from the football world.
The likes of Millwall, who Bradford face in the League One play-off final on May 20, Northampton Town and York City have all expressed their sadness with emotional postings on Twitter.
Near-neighbours Bradford Park Avenue have also posted in memory of the 56, as have the English Football League.
There will be a memorial service in the town centre at 11am, where club officials and players will join members of the public to remember those who died.
