Bradford City Stadium Fire 11th May 1985

[arch stanton]

The Popplewell Enquiry found that the main stand at Bradford was not surrounded by fencing, and therefore most of the spectators in it could escape onto the pitch – if they had been penned in then the death toll would inevitably have been in the hundreds if not the thousands. However, the turnstiles were locked and none of the stadium staff were present to unlock them, leaving no escape through the normal entrances and exits. Most of the fans who took this escape route were killed or seriously injured. Fans in the next stand (the "Bradford End") pulled down the fence separating them from the pitch. (Wiki)

yeah that sounds familiar. Very sad and lessons have been learned. The Op Goodison Exercise shouts remind me o this disaster every time :-(

 

[Grogu the blue]

I'm talking about @BullensRoad i thought his comment was out of order, and i was agreeing with what you said to him.

Crossed wires, sorry thought you meant me..

 

[Bluerover]

yeah that sounds familiar. Very sad and lessons have been learned. The Op Goodison Exercise shouts remind me o this disaster every time :-(

I remember at Hampden in February 1987 for Scotland v Ireland in the old Main Stand smoking was strictly prohibited. I think it was the first time I was not allowed to puff my pipe at a match. But I knew it made sense.

 

[Grogu the blue]

The Popplewell Enquiry found that the main stand at Bradford was not surrounded by fencing, and therefore most of the spectators in it could escape onto the pitch – if they had been penned in then the death toll would inevitably have been in the hundreds if not the thousands. However, the turnstiles were locked and none of the stadium staff were present to unlock them, leaving no escape through the normal entrances and exits. Most of the fans who took this escape route were killed or seriously injured. Fans in the next stand (the "Bradford End") pulled down the fence separating them from the pitch. (Wiki)

Cheers for info, because I’ve taken my kids to many a stadia it beggars belief how sloppy fan safety was taken back then!

 

[Bluerover]

Cheers for info, because I’ve taken my kids to many a stadia it beggars belief how sloppy fan safety was taken back then!

One of Ireland's biggest tragedies - 1981. The flipping emergency exits were chained up

Stardust fire - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Summer76]

They used to use this as an example in our fire prevention courses, by god did it drive the message home

 

[BullensRoad]

I'm talking about @BullensRoad i thought his comment was out of order, and i was agreeing with what you said to him.

What did I say that was wrong???

Disgusting comment that was, i'm sure the moderators will deal with him.

He was not feeling anything as his nerves had been completely burnt off, he died in hospital after.

Why are you trying to get me into trouble for saying something that's true you little grass

 

[Cork Evertonian]

What did I say that was wrong???


He was not feeling anything as his nerves had been completely burnt off, he died in hospital after.

Why are you trying to get me into trouble for saying something that's true you little grass

Sorry about that, what you originally said went over my head. I thought the guy was suffering, and that you were making fun of it.

 

[BullensRoad]

Sorry about that, what you originally said went over my head. I thought the guy was suffering, and that you were making fun of it.

Not at all. Apology accepted and for my response.

Also it's a testimonial to the people running back to the flames to help him.

 

[peteblue]

Like many the awful scenes we saw that day remain vivid. A colleague of mine, a Bradford fan, was on the other side of the ground watching it live. He was still in total shock and tears when I next met him…..

 

[Bluerover]

Like many the awful scenes we saw that day remain vivid. A colleague of mine, a Bradford fan, was on the other side of the ground watching it live. He was still in total shock and tears when I next met him…..

Pete, it was horrendous. Heysel and Hillsborough also very traumatic to watch helplessly.

Three awful tragedies in one decade. RIP all the victims.

 

[larbert toffee]

The thing that upsets me most is knowing fathers went with their kids to this game and either came home.
Sad that it took a tragedy like this for stadiums to make improvements.

May we never forget this disaster.

May they Rest In Peace.

 

[arch stanton]

The thing that upsets me most is knowing fathers went with their kids to this game and either came home.
Sad that it took a tragedy like this for stadiums to make improvements.

May we never forget this disaster.

May they Rest In Peace.

I think it is too easy to forget that times were very different then in that violence at football games wasn't unusual, the threat or potential for violence was there probably for every game. The demographic that attended games was different than today with fewer kids and ladies present. That affected things like stadium design, Police attitudes/responses, crowd behaviour. Lessons have been learned, grounds are much safer by design and policy/procedures (Op Goodison Exercise for example), police are more tolerant, crowds behave better, having young kids at games is a lovely sight. Things have improved hugely for the better, as you say, sadly people had to die in this and other instances for that to happen.

RIP

 

[Blue 1]

I remember watching on the telly as it happened, and writing about it in school on the Monday. Horrific.

 

[longers]

I remember seeing that famous video of it and initially wondering how anyone was going to die from it as everyone was moving away from it so casually as if it wasn't even a big deal. Then it just spreads at crazy rate, although still little confused how some people didn't manage to get away from it in time. I guess anyone disabled or elderly was going to have problems with mobility.