Today (Friday 11 May 2018) the football club, the City of Bradford and the wider community paused to remember those who perished in the Valley Parade Fire Disaster 33 years ago during the annual service of remembrance.
Hundreds of fans joined City players and staff past and present this Friday morning as Bradford's Centenary Square came to a standstill at 11.00am to allow those gathered to pay their respects, pause and reflect on the tragic events of 33 years ago.
The City Hall flag flew at half-mast as a gathering of civic dignitaries and the public joined together at the memorial sculpture in the square.
The 30-minute service included the reading of prayers and addresses to the crowd by Pastor Oliver Evans, Chaplain to Bradford City, Reverend Canon Alistair Helm and The Very Reverend Jerry Lepine, Dean of Bradford.
The moving service also included renditions of 'Abide with Me' and 'You'll Never Walk Alone', plus a minute's silence for the victims of the tragedy.
In keeping with tradition, wreaths were laid by the memorial sculpture as well.
Families of the victims, The Lord Mayor of Bradford (Councillor Abid Hussain), the Mayor of Lincoln, Mr Ajay Mahajan from the BRI Burns Unit and members of the West Yorkshire Police and Fire Service were among those to lay wreaths.
Representatives from the Club also laid a wreath for Bradford City, while Deputy Lord Lieutenant Mr Robin Wright did the same on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.
On May 11, 1985, tragedy struck when Bradford City played Lincoln City. Shortly before half-time a blaze engulfed the main stand. 54 Bradford supporters lost their lives along with 2 fans of Lincoln on that horrific day.
City fans are invited throughout today to leave floral and/or other tributes by the Valley Parade fire memorial, which is situated just to the right hand side of the main entrance to the JCT600 Main Stand.
The JCT600 Stand itself will also be open from 12noon today to give supporters the opportunity for some quiet reflection on this day of remembrance.