Metadata
WORK ID: YFA 6097 (Master Record)
Title | Year | Date |
CALENDAR MAGAZINE: BRADFORD CITY - A YEAR OF HEALING | 1986 | 1986-05-09 |
Details
Original Format: 16mm Colour: Colour Sound: Sound Duration: 27 mins Credits: Director - PETER JONES Reporter - JOHN HELM Subject: Sport |
Summary On the anniversary of the fatal fire at Bradford City's Valley Parade football ground, which killed 56 people, this programme looks at how those involved are coping, one year on. The vast majority of the programme consists of interviews with victims of the fire and officials that were present at the game. |
Description
On the anniversary of the fatal fire at Bradford City's Valley Parade football ground, which killed 56 people, this programme looks at how those involved are coping, one year on. The vast majority of the programme consists of interviews with victims of the fire and officials that were present at the game.
The film begins with a wide shot of Bradford City playing at Odsal stadium. The camera then films a series of close-ups of the enthusiastic Bradford fans watching the game.
Then...
On the anniversary of the fatal fire at Bradford City's Valley Parade football ground, which killed 56 people, this programme looks at how those involved are coping, one year on. The vast majority of the programme consists of interviews with victims of the fire and officials that were present at the game.
The film begins with a wide shot of Bradford City playing at Odsal stadium. The camera then films a series of close-ups of the enthusiastic Bradford fans watching the game.
Then there are a number of other shots of the ground in the present day. Over the top of these image, the commentator from the game when the fire broke out, John Helm, can be heard reporting that a fire could be seen breaking out in one of the stands.
This is followed by Helm speaking to the camera about the harrowing experience.
The camera then moves onto a room full of elderly victims of the fire who are interviewed on their experiences. There are a number of shots showing their burn scars. Surprisingly, the victims still manage to find the positives behind the horrors of the event.
Then there is an interview with nurses who looked after the victims of the fire shortly after the event. The nurses reveal the devastation that they encountered and pay tribute to the courage of their colleagues and the patients.
Shortly after this scene, the film transitions to a golf course where there are shots of a victim golfing. Miles Bamford used to be a talented golfer and is determined to get back to his former level despite the serious burns that cover his body. In the changing rooms, the golfer reflects on his father’s death that came as a result of injuries obtained during the fire.
The camera moves inside a family home for a further interview with a father and daughter who were present at Valley Parade when the fire occurred. Nicola Firth tells the interviewer that she lost her mother in the fire, an event which brought her closer to her father Duncan.
This is followed by an interview with a police officer who was present at the game when the fire broke out. In a series of close-up shots, the officer claims that he has blamed himself for the dreadful events and suffers recurring nightmares of the match.
The film then moves onto another interview with a victim of the fire. Matthew Wildman suffered with severe arthritis before the fire now also has to cope with significant burns to his body.
A doctor who was instrumental in treating the burn victims then pays tribute to the medical staff that willingly gave all of their time and energy to treat the injured after the fire.
The film then moves onto an interview in the centre of Bradford with a man in City Hall. He informs the camera that he made it his mission to provide emotional support and counselling to the victims as soon as was possible.
The interviewer then begins a discussion with an assessment planner who set up an assessment committee to determine compensation for the victims.
A father and son are the next interviewees in the film. Stuart McCall was playing for Bradford during the match and was able to find his entire family safe after the fire except for his father. His father suffered significant burns during the fire and had to recuperate in hospital.
Towards the end of the film, Bradford City Chairman, Stafford Heginbotham, gives an interview from the stadium. Heginbotham addresses the blame and threats levelled at him in the immediate aftermath of the fire.
In the closing stages of the film, Bradford City’s manager, Terry Yorath, is interviewed inside the stadium. The camera remains in close-up as he pays tribute to the community work done by the players after the fire and the important part that the stadium’s new stand plays in the overall legacy and remembrance of the disaster.
The film ends with wide shots of a game occurring at Odsal stadium that are very reminiscent of the shots that were used at the start of the film.
Context
This moving film displays Bradford’s extraordinary determination to carry on after the shocking fire at their football match in 1985. Throughout the film, victims are interviewed on their recollections of the event and the surprisingly positive outcomes of many of their ordeals. For example, many of the victims spent the aftermath of the fire together in hospital and formed lasting bonds.
The fire started at Bradford City’s Valley Parade stadium just before halftime on 11th May 1985. The...
This moving film displays Bradford’s extraordinary determination to carry on after the shocking fire at their football match in 1985. Throughout the film, victims are interviewed on their recollections of the event and the surprisingly positive outcomes of many of their ordeals. For example, many of the victims spent the aftermath of the fire together in hospital and formed lasting bonds.
The fire started at Bradford City’s Valley Parade stadium just before halftime on 11th May 1985. The fire killed 56 people and injured over 250. The day’s windy weather and wooden stand construction helped the fire spread quickly. Many fleeing victims died as they were unable to escape via locked doors and turnstiles near the stand. These horrific circumstances led to new health and safety measures being put in place at football matches. |