They were even quite afraid of the football fans before the fire. [3], At the age of 33, Ormondroyd retired from football due to arthritis in his left ankle.[4]. 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. Thats when I thought this is time to get out of here. "[28], West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council was found to have failed in its duty under the Fire Precautions Act 1971. For the book, we are looking to hear from people who were there but were children at the time, but could tell us their story.. [10] One eyewitness, Geoffrey Mitchell, told the BBC: "It spread like a flash. The money raised from this record was contributed to fund the internationally renowned burns unit that was established in partnership between the University of Bradford and Bradford Royal Infirmary, immediately after the fire, which has also been Bradford City's official charity for well over a decade. ClaretMoffitt Posts: 3889 Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 7:19 pm . But it is Bradford, so they are just lying there, dormant, on the file, along with the question of the nine Heginbotham fires. Muriel Firth (56) The footage never gets any less shocking. After just four minutes of the initial blaze starting the wooden stand was fully ablaze as many of the 3,000 people sitting there escaped by climbing over the perimeter fence onto the pitch the subsequent inquiry into the disaster concluded the fire spread faster than a man could run.. "Official Featherstone Rovers RLFC Web Site First Team Squad", "Ormondroyd junior the 'big daddy' of the family at 17 stone", "Much-changed Featherstone ready for Bradford Bulls test", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ian_Ormondroyd&oldid=1015639568, *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:00, 22 November 2007 (UTC), This page was last edited on 2 April 2021, at 16:48. . Men, women and children all helped. John Fletcher (34) The most horrific scenes ever on tv. As you said, Herts. Police worked until 4am the next morning, under lighting, to remove all the bodies. As CT mentioned earlier it is seeing the names of family groups who perished that day,having just probably set off as normal from home around lunch time for not just the game but the joy and excitement of a promotion party, that really gets to me. Following his own 15 year investigation Into the fire, which killed four of his family members while he escaped, former tax accountant Martin Fletcher released 56: The Story of the Bradford Fire (2015). Still one of the two or three most haunting videos I've ever seen. And there are also repeated references to the smell of burning plastic. David James Crabtree (30) Their initial aim at that time was to promote BCFC in the community by increasing the fan base and awareness of the Club. "We were concerned there might be, because of the rapidity of the fire, a mechanism unknown to us." As Fletcher's investigations have given his book a huge profile, so its subtler components have in many ways been overlooked. by Colburn_Claret Fri May 11, 2018 5:38 am, Post Police have revealed the identity of the man who they believe was responsible for . I was doing some research about football stadium disasters a few years ago as I find them fascinating and horrendous at the same time. The referee blew his whistle to stop the game and told us to get back to the dressing room, recalled City midfielder John Hendrie some years later. Footage never fails to shock me. For the 30th anniversary of the fire a new version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" was recorded at Voltage Studios in Bradford. "[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'. A total of 56 fans died in the fire on May 11, 1985, in a match between Bradford City and Lincoln City, with around 265 more injured. Never seen the death roll that's horrendous the Ormondroyd family looks like Father and . My mum said at the time of the Hillsborough Disaster, when it all came home to me, you're angry and the hate is eating you inside out.". The Bradford City stadium fire was a stadium disaster that occurred during an English League Third Division fixture between Bradford City and Lincoln City on Saturday, 11 May 1985, killing 56 and injuring at least 265.. Head Physiotherapist: Dayle Avison. Crews received a call to Stirling Crescent west of Highway 400 around 12:25 a.m. Saturday from a. Adrian Mark Wright (11). [] I still have terrible memories of the day, but it is the humanity of those that helped us that I reflect on."[41]. [10] The stand seats did not have risers; this had allowed a large accumulation of rubbish and paper waste in the cavity space under the stand, which had not been cleared for many months. Leo Anthony Coxon (44) A massive fire broke out at a factory in Bradford this morning 11 Footage shows flames erupting from the factory 11 The blaze broke out in the early hours of this morning Credit: Ben. Gerald tragically died in the Bradford City stadium fire on 11th May 1985 along with his sons, Richard and Robert. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. The Weekly Gab: Lower league sides to watch in the FA Cup. Roy Mason (74) A police officer shouted to a colleague for an extinguisher, but his call was misheard and instead the fire brigade were radioed. [2] By 1911, his work was completed. Horrific way to die and as ststed some of the most harrowing scenes ever witnessed. [31] In 1988, the first compensation payments were made to survivors of the fire, with over 40 people receiving up to 40,000 each. Jane Ashley Stockman (16) [11], The disaster also had a long-lasting effect on the fans. 25 years ago and I'm sure, like Hillsborough, it's still fresh in the mind of a . The lucky winner will be drawn January 1, 2023, and the person will not be responsible for the sales tax. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. Obviously never come to terms with what he saw, and that's 30 years on. Ian says that Bantamspast is about much more than just the football: "It's where people come socially. It was Fletcher's mother, Susan, who had always said that she did not believe the fire was an accident and who talked of the other blazes at businesses owned or linked to Stafford Heginbotham, the Bradford City chairman of the day. Frederick Hindle (76) [34], During the case, Sir Joseph Cantley stated that: "It is only right that I should say that I think it would be unfair to conclude that Heginbotham, Tordoff, the Board of Directors, or any of them, were intentionally and callously indifferent to the safety of spectators using the stand. ", Ian Ormondroyd is searching for Valley Parade memories, A Bradford landmark - and a focus for many memories. I don't see that. Robert Ian Ormondroyd (12) Led by former Leeds United and England international Trevor Cherry, the Bantams won only their third divisional title and earned a return to the second tier of English football for the first time since 1937. Interesting theory related to the cost of making the ground safe following promotion and the history of Stafford Heginbotham who's businesses were almost synonymous with fires and insurance claims. Most of the exits at the back were locked or shut and there were no stewards present to open them, but seven were forced open or found open. A large fire involving thousands of scrap tyres in Bradford has caused school closures and travel disruption. ACKROYD, John Douglas, 32, Baildon . [12] The work was expected to cost 400,000 (1.3million today). Thats when everybody else had the same thought. 24 Bradford City A.F.C. Performance Analyst: Scott Dyer. Of the 56people who died in the fire,[2] 54 were Bradford supporters and two supported Lincoln. Bradford City have announced that the JCT600 Stand will be open today for fansto come and reflect on the tragedy and pay their respects. by Pad1951 Fri May 11, 2018 9:15 am, Post He established that there had been eight other fires at businesses owned by or associated with the entrepreneur, who > died in 1995, aged 61. Christopher James Bulmer (11) Elizabeth JONES. On 23 February 1987, Sir Joseph Cantley found the club two thirds responsible and the county council (which by this time had been abolished) one third responsible. Many of the residents, who were mostly Bangladeshi, took people into their homes, brought out blankets and drinks and let them use their home telephones. He and the children all perished, along with the boys' father. [52], On 1 May 2010, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the fire the football TV show Football Focus was hosted from Valley Parade by Dan Walker, the show included interviews with Terry Yorath and John Hendrie. Peter Greenwood (46) "I think the fire will play a big part in it. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's The fire destroyed the main stand completely and left only burned seats, lamps and metal fences remaining. RIP. Club career[ edit] Instead, there is nothing. Watching it I asked myself why people didn't use the rear exits and what those late people were doing all that time, apparently the rear exits were boarded or padlocked. Published: 3/3/2022 2:42:05 PM. Nothing surprising in the construction of the stand to give this rate of fire growth," Woolley writes in an untitled script which appears to be his own notes from the first day of Popplewell's Inquiry. [11], The fire escalated very rapidly, and flames became visible; police started to evacuate the stand. [1] When the association football club was formed, the ground was changed very little and had no covered accommodation. "Thank you. Gregg Ormondroyd has denied sleeping with his sick wife's carer. A former Bradford City player is asking for people's memories of the club's past - both good and bad. Another player went into the office space to ensure there was nobody there. It will stay in my memory for ever. These 10 users liked this post: Bop bobinho ashtonlongsider Rick_Muller JohnMac IanMcL ClaretMoffitt Juan Tanamera bfcjg FCBurnley. There were no extinguishers in the stand's passageway for fear of vandalism, and one spectator ran to the clubhouse to find one but was overcome by smoke and impeded by others trying to escape. Amanda Jayne Roberts (20) The stadium was known for its antiquated design and facilities, which included the wooden roof of the main stand. It's certainly how Mumtaz Ibrahim feels about the day when, as a newly married 20-year-old, she thought her young husband had been killed in the flames. IN MEMORIAM. 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. It was nearly double the season's average of 6,610 and included 3,000fans in the ground's main stand. I was there 3 weeks before with Burnley. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. by tim_noone Thu May 10, 2018 11:42 pm, Post I do not include the people currently running the club, who have always displayed a great, sensitive duty to the memory of those who died. "It seemed that this should at least have been examined," Fletcher says. "I feel like I've been in my 20s for years," he says and his life now south-west London flatshare, single professional seems to reflect the world of a restive soul, struggling for an anchor. Some had been crushed as they tried to crawl under turnstiles to escape. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? RM 2F7YJ1C - Eccles, UK. He later said: "I have never known anything like it, either before, or since. Gordon Stuart Mcpherson (39) 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. A sad, sad day in the history of English football. City were presented with the Division Three championship trophy before kick-off and such was the air of excitement that over 11,000 people were at Valley Parade that day, almost double the usual average for the season. The fire of 1985 will also certainly figure highly in Bantamspast, says Ian: "A chap rang me up about a week ago and he used to live on Cornwall Terrace, just at the back of the ground. The book and film will be released in March next year with an event at the National Media Museum, followed by a photographic exhibition at the same venue from May. I also knew the Club Secretary Terry Newman very well. 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. by ecc Fri May 11, 2018 12:36 pm, Post The 1985 Bradford City A.F.C stadium fire is regarded as one of the worst disasters in the history of British football. Coach Terry Yorath described the events as "the worst day in my life. 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. 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. [38], The tragedy received immense media attention and drew support from around the world, with those offering their sympathy including Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul II. 1985 disaster in Valley Parade Stadium, Bradford, England. It is Mrs Ibrahim's sentiment which seems to be most prevalent in Manningham, the British Asian district bordering Valley Parade, where many locals took injured and traumatised people into their homes that day. Part of the Appeal funds were raised by a recording of "You'll Never Walk Alone"[42] from Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical Carousel by The Crowd (including Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers, who had recorded the 1963 version that led to Liverpool adopting it as their motto and team song), which reached number one in the UK Singles chart. On a day that should have been one for celebration, Bantams captain Peter Jackson lifted the Division Three championship trophy before kick-off. [8][10] Three men smashed down one door and at least one exit was opened by people outside, which again helped prevent further deaths. The play, entitled simply The 56, does not seek to make melodrama out of that 11 May afternoon at Valley Parade, when fans arrived to celebrate Bradford's promotion from the Football League's division 3. At the time of the disaster, many stadiums had perimeter fencing between the stands and the pitch to prevent incidents of football hooliganism particularly pitch invasions which were rife during the 1980s. It is a simple account laid out for all to see. There is no malicious vendetta, there is no over-exaggeration, there are no trumped-up facts. It was during this treatment that Sharpe began to develop the Bradford Sling,[21] which applies even pressure across sensitive areas. It's an incredible video, seen it numerous times, but as you say never gets less shocking. Ormondroyd praises 'phenomenal' Bradford Video Unavailable Technical details : A problem was encountered - please try again later Former Bradford and Aston Villa striker Ian Ormondroyd is. The Bradford Burns Unit was set up by Professor David Sharpe after he received many of the victims following the fire. [11] Those who escaped were taken out of the ground to neighbouring homes and a pub, where a television screened World of Sport, which broadcast video recorded of the fire just an hour after it was filmed. He starts trying to explain what happened when the smoke filled the stand and he can't do it, just breaks down. It was the place where her boys had been growing into their secondary education when the fire took them. We will remember them. "I think if we go out there and ask local people who've been in a house for 24 or 25 years, a lot of their memories will be about that. Revealed: former Bradford chairman linked to at least eight fires before Valley Parade disaster Read more Six years later, Martin, then 27, set out to find the truth and started the 15-year quest. Robert Wedgeworth (72) [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. by Silkyskills1 Fri May 11, 2018 1:36 pm, Post It's with that in mind that Ian's Bantamspast project is underway in Bradford. Previous warnings had also been given about a major build-up of litter in the cavity below the seats in the stand. ? pic.twitter.com/VkqiAEXBR8, billy clarke (@billyclarke7) May 11, 2016. Bradford City Community Foundation is the community charity of Bradford City Football Club. He said: We just want to try to reach out to the local community around the ground and see if anybody out there that remembers the day can come forward and talk about it.. He went on to state: "In 1985 fire investigation in Britain was in its infancy and some would say at that time most fire investigators were not much more than dust-kickers. It was appalling that public money was given to the club while it was still owned by the same shareholders under whose direction the fire had happened. Police officers also assisted in the rescue attempts. This is a rise of 0.29% in the last three months (since April 2018) and fall of 0.24% since 12 months ago. As many supporters still required rescue from the stand, they were unable to immediately start fighting the source of the fire. Walter Kerr (76) We couldnt run back down the tunnel. Rupert Benedict Greenwood (11) The Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department recently announced a raffle to win a 2022 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew. [32] Speaking at the close of the case, the Judge said "They (the club) were at fault, no one in authority seemed to have appreciated the fire hazard. [19] One fan put his jumper over a fellow supporter's head to extinguish flames. Tributes have been pouring in from all corners of the footballing world as today marks 31 years since the Bradford City fire disaster. Whether they don't feel welcome, for instance. Bradford played its part in that. The two sides met for the first time after the fire in April 1989, when they arranged a benefit match in aid of the Hillsborough disaster, at Valley Parade. I once stumbled across the radio commentary from that day on YouTube. Edmond Fletcher (63) It's good that they're all remembered. Fifty-six people were killed in the fire that engulfed an old wooden stand at Bradford City's Valley Parade ground on the final day of the 1984-85 season. Jan 22, 2016 7:19 pm die and as ststed some of the two three. 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