Unforgotten:Bradford City… BBC2

[xxlshirts_fit_all]

It’s a tough watch….

Just seen all the lot doing a choir thing, at King’s Cross this afternoon

 

[guisborough_rob]

Very tough watch and still very vivid in the memory of those of us who watched footy in wooden stands in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

A very sensitive and well crafted programme.

 

[Zoophonic]

I remember being at Shrewsbury that day when we secured safety with a 2-0 win - that night football didnt seem to matter as the tragedy unfolded.

 

[atypical_boro]

Gaby Logan did a really good documentary about it for BT Sport. She was there.

 

[Hicktonpen10]

The timeline was staggering. Completely engulfed in only about 4 minutes.

 

[Norman_Conquest]

It’s a tough watch….

Just seen all the lot doing a choir thing, at King’s Cross this afternoon

It was a difficult watch - It must be difficult for those there to live with it.

 

[Redwurzel]

Emotional watch but worth watching.

 

[Norman_Conquest]

Emotional watch but worth watching.

I remember it unfolding and sitting in silence, watching it with my mum. For some reason, the TV coverage seemed to stay with it.

 

[Otto42]

Just watched, the lady who lost her two sons and husband is a remarkable woman.

I remember it at the time too. Remarkable that three years later Bradford were vying with us for promotion.

 

[HarryVegas]

I've got the original, unbroken footage and occasionally use it in training sessions.

 

[Hap]

I've got the original, unbroken footage and occasionally use it in training sessions.

I have seen this as a back drop to a fire safety training meeting. It was fast.

 

[h_m_boro]

We know how things were for football in the 80s but what struck me was that a fire broke out at a large event and no one really knew what to do.

Not having a dig at the emergency services at all who I'm sure all did an amazing job......but we kind of take for granted that "something" happens, it's all sorted quickly and efficiently. Back then, everything was about making sure the hooligans weren't running amok and ......that was about it. And because of the likes of Bradford, Hillsborough we can take our kids to a safe environment to watch football, knowing we'll all be back for tea after the game.

Really tough, moving watch.

RIP to the 56.

 

[Blaggamuffin]

I'm sure I've read an article somewhere (possibly in The Independent) about the then Bradford chairman having had other companies where there'd been mysterious fires happen.
I was also coming back from Shrewsbury that day and still have the Sports Pink I picked up at New St Station. Same day as Leeds fan died at Brum. Very dark days.

 

[Norman_Conquest]

I'm sure I've read an article somewhere (possibly in The Independent) about the then Bradford chairman having had other companies where there'd been mysterious fires happen.
I was also coming back from Shrewsbury that day and still have the Sports Pink I picked up at New St Station. Same day as Leeds fan died at Brum. Very dark days.

I believe he had and the conspiracy theorists ran with pointing the finger at him. Wasn't it proven that it was a discarded cigarette or match that caused it?

 

[HarryVegas]

I believe he had and the conspiracy theorists ran with pointing the finger at him. Wasn't it proven that it was a discarded cigarette or match that caused it?

Yes, it was decades' worth of accumulated litter beneath a dry wooden framed stand. You could see it between the slats. Only a couple of years later the same thing happened beneath the wooden escalator at King's Cross underground.

 

[Norman_Conquest]

Yes, it was decades' worth of accumulated litter beneath a dry wooden framed stand. You could see it between the slats. Only a couple of years later the same thing happened beneath the wooden escalator at King's Cross underground.

A lot of survivor guilt came through in that documentary, but can you imagine how that policeman must have felt after facing such hostile questioning at the inquiry? He must question himself every day: Did I do the right thing?

The Guardian - PC Adrian Lyles, who tried to usher fans away from the fire when it had just started and did so successfully, despite their initial reluctance to believe this was necessary. Moments later, he remembers, smoke had “replaced the air” and scores of lives depended on him: there is a devastating moment where he says he has never recovered from hostile questioning at the inquiry, suggesting that his decision to direct fans towards the rear turnstiles – which, it turned out, were locked – had been wrong.

 

[El Guapo]

I don’t think I’ll be able to watch that - simply too awful. I can still see it all and hear the commentators words clear as day now from watching it at the time. Can’t find any more words.

RIP. X

 

[Doncaster Boro]

There were some retired firefighters on our local news last week talking about it. A couple were based at Bradford stations and one at Pudsey. They had all been there on the terrible day. You could tell it has affected them all.

 

[North22]

I was also on the way back from Shrewsbury after celebrating staying up. Watched the programme last night it was shocking. I was at Leeds road Huddersfield for Bradford v Boro the next season. Some really bad chanting from the Boro fans. We where daft young lads but ashamed of it now when i look back.

 

[xxlshirts_fit_all]

Just watched, the lady who lost her two sons and husband is a remarkable woman.

I remember it at the time too. Remarkable that three years later Bradford were vying with us for promotion.

What sticks with me from that playoff other than forgetting my ticket and turning about at dishforth…) was the singing from out fans about the tragedy…

And I’ll hold my hands up to say I got swept up in those chants foolish youthfulness and crowd mentality….