Remembering the 56

Still a very poignant read.

56 stars are shining bright,
54 claret and amber, 2 red and white.
The tragic events that took you away,
Will be remembered always on the 11th of May.
Fans packed the ground, some young some old,
All unaware of what was too unfold.
To see the champions was the only aim,
56 lives lost at a football game.
The pain hasn’t eased after all the years,
Generations of fans all shedding tears.
The last home game is always sombre,
But heavens awash with claret and amber.
Your presence we’ll miss and the memories we’ll treasure,
We’ll love you always and forget you never.
So take a look at the sky tonight,
They’ll be 56 stars that are shining bright.

11.5.85 RIP 56

 

Never forgotten, an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

Rest in Peace fellow fans!

 

God Bless From A Liverpool Supporter
On this Day In 1985 at Valley Parade a disgarded cigarette caused a fire that killed 59 people
This post is made to honor those who died and those that survived and their family and friends

IN MEMORIAM

The names of the 56 victims of the Valley Parade Fire Disaster - 11 May 1985

ACKROYD, John Douglas, 32, Baildon

ANDERTON, Edmund, 68, Bingley

BAINES, Alexander Shaw, 70, Bradford

BAMFORD, Herbert, 72, Bradford

BULMER, Christopher James, 11, Burley-in-Wharfedale

COXON, Jack Leo, 76, Bradford

COXON, Leo Anthony, 44, Halifax

CRABTREE, David James, 30, Bradford

CRABTREE, Harry, 76, Bradford

DEMPSEY, Derek, 46, Morley

FIRTH, Muriel, 65, Baildon

FIRTH, Samuel, 86, Bradford

FLETCHER, Andrew, 11, East Bridgford, Nottingham

FLETCHER, Edmund, 63, Pudsey

FLETCHER, John, 34, East Bridgford, Nottingham

FLETCHER, Peter, 32, Gildersome

FOSTER, Nellie, 64, Bradford

GREENWOOD, Felix Winspear, 13, Denholme

GREENWOOD, Peter, 46, Denholme

GREENWOOD, Rupert Benedict, 11, Denholme

HALL, Norman, 70, Bradford

HALLIDAY, Peter, 34, Bradford

HARTLEY, Arthur, 79, Bradford

HINDLE, Edith, 79, Bradford

HINDLE, Fred, 76, Bradford

HODGSON, Moira Helen, 15, Oakenshaw

HUDSON, Eric, 73, Bingley

HUGHES, John, 64, Bradford

HUTTON, John, 74, Bradford

KERR, Walter, 76, Bradford

LOVELL, Peter Charles, 43, Bradford

LUDLAM, Jack, 55, Bradford

McPHERSON, Gordon, 39, Bradford

McPHERSON, Irene, 27, Bradford

MASON, Roy, 74, Silsden

MIDDLETON, Frederick Norman, 84, Bradford

MITCHELL, Harold, 79, Bradford

MUHL, Elizabeth, 21, Leeds

NORMINGTON, Ernest, 75, Shipley

ORMONDROYD, Gerald Priestley, 40, Bingley

ORMONDROYD, Richard John, 12, Bingley

ORMONDROYD, Robert Ian, 12, Bingley

POLLARD, Sylvia Lund, 69, Bradford

PRICE, Herbert, 78, Shipley

ROBERTS, Amanda Jane, 20, Bradford

SAMPSON, Jayne, 18, Leeds

STACEY, William, 72, Sleaford, Lincoln

STOCKMAN, Craig Albert, 14, Bradford

STOCKMAN, Jayne Ashley, 16, Bradford

STOCKMAN, Trevor John, 38, Brighouse

TURNER, Howard, 41, Bingley

TURNER, Sarah, 16, Bingley

WARD, Simon Neil, 18, Shipley

WEDGEWORTH, Robert, 72, Guiseley

WEST, William James, 78, North Hykeham, Lincoln

WRIGHT, Adrian Mark, 11, Bradford

Remember 'The 56'

RIP
YNWA

 

56 doves now take to the air.
56 doves to show we still care.
56 doves the colour of snow.
Into the sky, now home to go.

56 doves a true sign of love.
Circle the Bradford skies above.
Doves that express spirits free.
A symbol of love for all to see.

56 doves,one for each name.
For every Angel, for every flame.
56 white doves away they fly.
For each white dove a tear I cry.

Y N W A

 

I've seen the names a hundred times, but this is the first time I've actually looked at them. Many struck down in the prime of their lives, many not even started on life's journey. Whole families ripped apart by the tragic events of 11th May 1985. I was there that tragic day and will never forget what I saw, as many others won't too.

Thanks for posting the names on here. Maybe in future the club could read out their names before the remembrance game.

They are people and not just a number.

 

Still get upset remembering that awful day
R.I.P

 

Thoughts today with everyone affected by this tragedy. Still heartbreaking after all these years.

 

RIP, as always, and thoughts with all those affected

I was only 7 at the time but still clearly remember the plumes of smoke from a distant, knowing even then that something was very wrong

Every year I read the names, and get choked up, particularly when seeing members of the same family

Go home tonight and give your nearest and dearest a hug, I know I will be

 

Ditto.

 

Yes 500 % agree. Our next door but one neighbour is among them. Lovely chap!
The father and children, families, the elderly couple….. Terrifically sad.

 

Remember the 56 dead and remember the other victims, too. Remember 250+ injured treated in hospital. Remember still more with minor injuries that just went untreated as the hospitals struggled. Remember those that witnessed the events and the emergency services that attended the injured and dying, many of whom suffered emotional trauma, and with many needing counselling afterwards. Remember those that suffered depression afterwards, losing jobs in some cases, and their friends and families having to cope with it. Remember the families that broke apart under the subsequent stresses and how it affected their children, relatives and friends. Remember the survivors who will have died prematurely from the injuries of that day and the duresses of its consequences. Many people still carry pain silently with them, along with surviving friends and relatives of the dead. Remember them all.

 

We shall never forget

 

RIP our band of brothers and sisters, who died on that dreadful, dreadful day, and also remembering all those others affected physically and mentally, hidden scars are as traumatic as the visible ones.

Still seems like yesterday

 

Never a truer word spoken.

 

A quiet tear at work in memory of the 56 and everyone who was affected by that awfully sad day. To have been there with my 3 brothers and a number of friends and leave physically unscathed, we were the lucky ones that day - but it doesn't take away the pain and heartache of loss.
Bless you all

 

Remembering with Love 56 souls who went to celebrate on this day in 1985 and never came home . Also remembering the heroic people who sought to help the injured and all those who treated them. They are owed a debt of gratitude
RIP

 

RIP to the poor souls who went to a football match never to return home to their loved.

My thoughts are with all their families and friends today.

Although not hurt that day, I can never erase what I witnessed and the images remain as vivid now as they did that awful day