THE 56

https://widthofapost.com/2015/05/08/remembering-may-11-1985-there-is-a-scarf/

My story - written for WOTP in May 2015.

 

You have made me cry , 63 and I'm biubbing , so very very sad but brought back some fond memories bless you pal .

 

Was the first time I shared in 2015. I cried writing it. Thank you.

 

One of the best (poignant) pieces I've read.

 

A wonderful and very moving piece. I

A wonderful and incredibly moving piece. I was 18 at the time and stood in pretty much the same area in the paddock as you. You put the emotions of the day into words better than I ever could. Thank you

 

Such a sad day for everyone involved. RIP my thoughts are with you.

 

Great read Andrew you must have been stood very near us that day, we were up against the wall with the kiosk and toilets just a few yards behind, very moving piece, thank you.

 

You were less than 10 feet away. I used to stand by the wooden divide between the paddock and the main stand. You could stand there are chat to the people sitting down.

 

RIP all the lost souls.

I was 14 and stood at the front of the Paddock with my dad and brother on that fateful day, towards the Bradford End. Got out over the wall onto the pitch and saw the extent of it all. Dad went back several times and helped people over the wall and onto the pitch and I have felt really selfish that I shouted at him several times to come back because I didn't want to lose him....

We we're walking away from the ground upto Manningham Lane and most of the players were stood there in the kits and my dad asked Jacko if everybody had got out... he said I'm not sure but I don't think so....

Went home via Great Horton Road and looked back and saw all the smoke down in the valley and realised how big it was...

 

As moving to read it now as it was three years ago. It's good that you, along with the others who have written about their experiences, have been willing to pay the price for not just remembering, but also telling your stories. Thank you.

RCB

 

Tears in my eyes reading your memory of that awful day, and the season preceding it. Thank you for sharing, it must have been very hard to write it.

 

I spent most of my first ten years as a supporter in there, particularly if it was pouring down. Met some great, and wise old codgers, too ......... sadly I'm now one of 'em !

 

I was on the kop at the time but can only wander what it was like i the stand..it only seems like yesterday. RIP

 

Me too.

 

You're certainly an old codger .

 

I've blown this picture up and zoomed in best I could are you on it @Hendrie FC

 

I am! I've seen this photo before - it was on the front cover of an end of season souvenir book the club produced. It is my prized possession as all the players signed it. Look between Don and Stuart. Find the guy with the black shirt. Go up to the lady with the curly perm wearing the white scarf (that was Barbara). See the left ear of the person right behind her? That ear belongs to me! I always had to stand behind her because she was shorter than me. Gives me the shivers every time I see this photo. A time of innocence and then.......

 

That's me mate, you were further up the steps leading to the exit.

 

Cricky @Bronco a small world and no mistake. Half my City memories were probably formed about 10 feet away from you! On the day you made the right decision to go forward. I went to the corridor behind the stand to try and make my way out. Glad I changed my mind once I got there and pushed my way back towards the pitch even if at the time it seemed counter intuitive what with the heat and smoke.

 

I wasn't there on the day. I was driving towards Kings Lynn in Norfolk. The news started to break on the radio and then became the news. I had family at the game and thankfully I found out later that they were safe. I cannot imagine the pain of the families that lost loved ones on that day. To me the 56 is a fitting tribute to the people who lost their lives that day. It means we remember every one of them.