I went along to the service today. As I live so close, and as City aren’t playing today, I thought I should. I wore my City shirt, and I saw a few other football shirts, including a Huddersfield Town jersey. I stood next to a Leeds supporter for the duration of the service, but today wasn’t about football rivalries; it was about a community coming together to remember that terrible day and those who perished. I also stood next to a woman, who told me she should have been there, but was working in a cafe to earn some spending money. She was 16 at the time. Her best friend and her best friend’s father, with whom she would have gone, both died.
It was a very beautiful and fitting tribute to the people who lost their lives and to those 200+ people that were injured in the terrible events at Valley Parade that awful day. The ceremony began with Bradford City Brass Band playing You’ll Never Walk Alone and the City Hall bell tolling 56 times. After each toll of the bell, one of the victims' names was read out.
Stuart McCall, a former player and manager, read a poem, as did current club captain, Richie Smallwood. The manager, Graham Alexander, recited the 23rd Psalm.
Prayers were said, and wreaths were laid, representing many different organisations, including Bradford City Football Club, the Bantams Supporters Trust and Lincoln City Football Club. Family members of the bereaved also laid wreaths.
The service ended with Abide With Me and Take Me Home, Midland Road; the Bantams' adaptation of John Denver’s song.
It was very emotional for me, remembering my own recent loss, as well as the events of 11th May 1985.
R. I. P. The 56.
