25 years on 11th May 2010.
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The Shippers floral tribute to the victims of the fire.
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Flowers at the memorial in Centenary Square.
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May 11 '85 is etched upon my mind
A dream became a nightmare and turned happiness to fear
The day I left my soul behind
But could not shed a tear.
The sweet perfume of victory became the stench of death
And whilst my heart beats soundly I never will forget
From wisp of smoke to no more breath
It haunts me ever yet.
I came to praise my heroes out on the field of play
I came to dance and sing and shout, to hold my head up high
I came to take the pleasures of the day
I didn't come to die.
The newsreel of my memory plays a matinee
A reprise of hurt and sadness, of deep remorse and ire
That I could not help in any way
The victims of the fire.
I saw the anguish and the pain pervade the burning stand
I saw the reaper laughing beneath the crimson sky
And through the flames that panic fanned,
I saw an angel cry.
Rest in peace you Bantams, rest in peace you Imps
Two cities joined in pain and grief, your memory ever cherished
The game you loved is different since
The fateful day it perished.
We grieve as one these years gone by and though it can be fraught
We'll close our eyes and bow our heads, so glad to be alive
We're all alone with just one thought
May 11th 85
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Boxing Day 2008 Sincil Bank Lincoln.
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Rob Hutchinson and Sam McPeake of the Shippers lay a wreath in tribute to the two Lincoln fans who died in the Valley Parade fire on 11th May 1985.
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.Boxing Day 2007
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The Boxing Day game at Valley Parade was the first League meeting at the ground between Bradford City and Lincoln City since the day of the fire disaster on May 11, 1985.
The fire claimed 56 lives, including those of two visiting supporters from Lincoln.
Supporters and officials from the two clubs paid their respects prior to kick off with a wreath laying ceremony on the half way line.
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Pauline Roper and son Paul of the Shippers with the Shipley Bantams wreath prior to the tribute at Valley Parade.
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Some of the wreaths laid at Valley Parade
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The Shipley Bantams The IDL Club
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The Bradford City Supporters Trust The Lincoln City Supporters Trust
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Friday 7th September 07 Sincil Bank Lincoln.
The Shipley Bantams wreath in the shape of a football in Lincolns City's colours as a mark of respect to the two Lincoln fans who perished in the fire.
The wreath was laid in front of the Stacey West stand during the minutes silence prior to the kick off. Along with a wreath laid by Mark Lawn on behalf of the Chairmen, Directors, Staff and Players.
Also bouquets of flowers were laid by the Shippers representitives on behalf of the IDL Club and Lenny Berry the 'City Gent'.
The wording reads.
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In memory of William Stacey and William James West the 2 Lincoln City fans who lost their lives at Valley Parade on 11th May 1985.
From The Shipley Bantams Supporters and Travel Club and all Bradford City fans everywhere.
RIP fellow football fans.
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11th May 2007 Centenary Square Bradford.
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The Shippers wreath in memory of the 56 fans who perished on that fateful day
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Cheltenham fans arrived at Valley Parade on Sat 30th December 2006 for their first ever visit to the stadium and paid tribute to the 56 fans who lost their lives that fateful day in May 1985.
To Steve and his friends of Cheltenham
Shipley Bantams salute you for the kind and wonderful ceremony in memory of football fans who never return home.
You are a credit to football, your club and most of all yourselves.
Thank you.