More than a thousand mourners gathered for a touching memorial ceremony at Bradford's Centenary Square on Monday to mark the 30th anniversary of the fire that killed 56 football fans. The Valley Parade football stadium burned during a game between Bradford and Lincoln on May 11, 1985, killing 54 home fans and two Lincoln supporters.
Many of those who gathered wore Bradford's distinctive claret and amber colours as they listened in silence as the 56 names were read out to the tolling of the bell in the City Hall clock. Among those reading the names was John Helm, the ITV football commentator who famously described the unfolding chaos as flames quickly engulfed the wooden stand shortly before half-time of an end-of-season clash. As well as Mr Helm, Bradford manager Phil Parkinson, club skipper Stephen Darby and Shaun Harvey, the chief executive of the Football League and former City chief executive, all read out names of those who died.
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