Valley Parade Fire Disaster memorial service to be held online

The annual memorial service for the Valley Parade Fire Disaster will take place online this year because of the coronavirus.
ONLINE: Bradford City have found an alternative way of marking the 35th anniversary of the Valley Parade FireONLINE: Bradford City have found an alternative way of marking the 35th anniversary of the Valley Parade Fire
ONLINE: Bradford City have found an alternative way of marking the 35th anniversary of the Valley Parade Fire
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May 11 marks the 35th anniversary of the tragedy, when 56 football fans lost their lives in a fire during a Division Three game between Bradford City and Lincoln City.

Each year mourners gather at Ceternary Square to mark the occasion, but with social-distancing measures set to be in place for the foreseeable future, the decision has been taken to find an alternative way of holding the service.

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Readings and prayers will be delivered via the Bantams' and Bradford Metropolitan Council’s social media channels by a host of representatives from across the district from 11am on May 11.

Wreaths will be placed at Valley Parad and in Centenary Square on behalf of officials of both clubs and the council prior to the aniversary.

“It is with deep regret the annual memorial service cannot safely take place in its usual setting," said Bradford's director of communications, Ryan Sparks.

“The event is of paramount importance to the club, our supporters, and the people of Bradford - and beyond. In a very different way, on May 11, we will pay tribute to those who sadly lost their lives and the families affected by the tragedy to this day.

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“We invite people to pay their respects with us safely, online, and hope you will all be able to tune into our social media channels to be part of a day where we come together to remember the 56.”

Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Doreen Lee, said: “It is with great sadness we announce that we will not be able to gather as normal at Centenary Square to mark the 35th anniversary of the Valley Parade Fire Disaster.

“However, under the current circumstances it is right that the safety of the public should come first and while we will be paying our respects in a different way this year, the commemoration will be no less poignant.

“We hope that people across the district will join us online to pay their respects as they normally would, only this year from their own home.”

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The fire was one of the world's most devastating sporting tragedies, claiming the lives of 54 Bradford fans and two Lincoln supporters.

Valley Parade will be closed on May 11, and the club have asked supporters to adhere to social-distancing guidelines until further notice.