Bradford Fire: Returning To The Terraces 31 Years On

31 years after the Bradford fire, this film charts 81-year old Alec Jackson's return to the Bradford City FC's terraces, in the hope of mending his broken relationship with his son. Subscribe to Copa90: bit.ly/Copa90Subscribe
Special Thanks to:
Bradford City FC - / @bradfordcityafc
The City Gent Fanzine
Directed by Giles Alderson
Cinematography by Andrew Rodger
Mark Alexander Jackson's book can be found here:
www.amazon.co.uk/Wally-Arnold-...
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Leave us a comment below!

[@Skylaxes]

But let's not forget the 2 Lincoln fans that never made it home.

[@TCGaming2004]

Ye, those poor yellabellies, btw I'm am from Lincoln

[@rhiannonslater4357]

That's why they are saying the 56

[@rgvlogger8249]

Alex what a person you are

[@Jayyy2023]

Always Remembered , RIP The 56...

[@adamcrawford1346]

Remembered always x god bless all of them.

[@DavidVujanic]

Football is life.

[@mahirhussain4890]

People remember Hillsborough and rightly so, but the Bradford Fire Disaster can be easily forgotten about or not known by a lot of people

[@andersonsmith8625]

Same with Heysel

[@wazz6765]

I would agree Hillsborough is more talked about, probably because there was more deaths and it changed football forever with them getting rid of terraces, sorta wrecked football atmosphere but tbh it needed to be done, life is more important. But I wouldn’t say Bradford I’d forgotten at least not where I’m from, every year me and mates get together and raise a pint for the 56. It had more negative affect one me aswell due to it being in my view the worse way to die.

[@dissonantdreams]

There's footage of the Bradford fire here on KZbin - shocking to watch how quickly the stand burned to a crisp, and cops attempting to put out people who were actually on fire on the pitch. I have no desire to ever watch that again, and that's just a video on the internet, so god knows how traumatic it would have been to witness it in person. RIP to the 56 who died.

[@BrianFalco]

This documentary really got to me man, well done Copa90

[@copa90football]

+Brian Falco Thanks Brian

[@GGMatt]

Still for me as much of a disaster as Hillsborough. Both should be remembered equally, rather than everyone focusing on one because Liverpool were involved instead of little old Bradford. Regardless of that though, this was a great story.

[@collateralDamage111]

True

[@frederikfrandsen562]

Fully agree as a LFC supporter! No matter what no one shouldnt return from a football game. And both the fire and Hillsborough is a disaster where a lot of angles was taken from the earth, only because they watched the sport they loved.

[@ethanterry692]

+Matt I WBA

[@leafsinseven]

It's not because Bradford aren't as big a club as Liverpool are you daft? It's because the people in Hillsborough were killed by the police and it was covered up for 20 odd years. Obviously both were awful disasters as are Ibrox and Heysel. No one should leave for a football match and not return.

[@GGMatt]

+Adam Hallsworth Don't kid yourself buddy. If it had been the other way around and Hillsborough had happened to Bradford supporters, the media would have stopped caring a long time ago. It's sad, but it's true. The media only cares about stories that make money, and there are millions of Liverpool fans to sell a story to - But not so many Bradford supporters.

[@nathanevans5480]

As a huge Bradford City fan who nearly lost family members on that day, this documentary hit hard. Fantastic from Copa 90! RIP the 56 🌹

[@alexnicholson9006]

I may be a Liverpool fan but as a Yorkshire and Bradford resident I have the up most respect for Bradford City and #RIP the 56 and well done Copa 90 amazing video.

[@shaanaziz6304]

Same from bradford and support Liverpool Well done copa 90..:)

[@alexnicholson9006]

thanks mate nice to see fans from teams have gone through horrible things can stick together

[@joehulme2482]

Alex Nicholson thank you I am Bradford

[@TheGamingToffee]

ShaanAziz Everton and Bradford City💙❤️💛

[@neillennonlegend2438]

I live in Lincoln and 2 of our fans died in the fire. A stand at Sincil Bank is named after them-Stacey West Stand- R.I.P to the 56

[@FullTimeDevils]

That was a brilliant video lads, I really enjoyed watching. Great subject matter, really well shot and great ending!

[@copa90football]

+FullTimeDEVILS Cheers guys!

[@BantamFanXI]

I think Copa90 has really done very well here. As a Bradford City supporter I couldn't be happier with how they've addressed the awful fire and the fact that this is why football is called the beautiful game. It has it's ups, it's downs but mainly it brings people together which really is what footballs all about. Well done Copa90. Big ups to them for achieving this.

[@jackrobbie83]

This documentary really got me. My grandfather was a huge Man United fan but was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. To see a football match with him would be an amazing experience.

[@TehRealRyan]

No matter what football club you support, you have to respect this, brought a tear to my eye :*

[@Hargrem04]

As a Bradford fan its hard to sit through this and watch what happened even though I have seen it many times before. Lots of respect for doing a video over it. My Dad was actually in the stand that was set on fire but fortunately he was one of the first onto the field and was able to get away. Never forget.

[@KltxAssassin]

As a fan of any team it is incredibly difficult to sit through. I'm happy that your father survived. Just terrible that 56 others couldn't get out. RIP #neverforget

[@hameythehamster]

My uncle was going to go to this match. Luckily though, he was too tired to go.

[@samimerifield1569]

Yeah I'm a City fan too and my Dad was there that day but fortunately he was in the kop which is where I'll be on Saturday against Blackpool C'mon city

[@gameschannel6244]

At the memorial match against Barnsley (my team) I was in the away end with bfc the thing we sang all game was "stand up for the 56"

[@MrHamdaankhan]

Respected for that!! and tonight got postponed against you

[@PalmersFC]

Yet another brilliantly produced video. This is why this Copa90 deserves to be where it's at and continues to be in the future

[@Denchuro]

Rest in peace to the 56. Never forgotten. Always in our hearts.

[@michaelbless1112]

Who needs terrible teenage love movies when you have copa90 to bring you to tears? Absolutely amazing storytelling by you guys once again!

[@threestepssideways1202]

As a Lincoln City fan all I can say is shared moments and shared heartbreak, remember what took you there in the first place and never forget, as we never will.

[@ThemeParkGuy7]

RIP to the 56 😢 #NeverForget

[@arthurdifford3371]

I may be a Huddersfield Town Fan but West Yorkshire unite over the anniversaries of this event

[@joelmcmahon9212]

bcfc for life I'm a 10 year season ticket holder and even though I wasn't at the fire this documentary got me

[@markthebutcher87]

Wow! It has been a long time since I saw such a moving documentary that moved me to tears. As a Lincoln fan this disaster will always be a strong memory for me. I was on holiday in Skegness and saw the footage in our caravan. I was 11-12 years old. I don't remember much from being that age but I remember that day clearly. A lovely ending to a superbly filmed and edited film. Up the Imps!!

[@wwefannova]

RIP To the people who passed away that night.56 #Neverforget

[@joshhull301]

Rip grandma 11th may 1985😢

[@steeltiger1465]

Damn. Rest in peace

[@samsouthall3029]

Actually teared up at this, even though I have no affiliation to Bradford, being a Wolves fan, great documentary again!

[@cf97290]

Brought a tear to my eye seeing him happy watching football and back watching with his son, an amazing documentary.

[@seanbonmillwall8310]

Much love made me cry very well done hope I can meet that guy he is a legend

[@bantamrobertsable]

Bradford city , 56 , we will always remember x I remember a friend of mine I met at Valley Parade ( Tony ) he took me after a game to go and see the little memorial stand opposite the water play area x I will never forget the 56 x 54 Bradford fans and the 2 Lincoln fans x #CTID !

[@jamiebarnes901]

powerful story. glad they reconciled and are enjoying the beautiful game together again.

[@SimpleSkyz13]

As a Bradford fan, this is amazing. Cheers Copa90. WE LOVE YOU CITY

[@brodypartington6181]

This is what football is about #thebeautifulgame ❤️

[@CITDBoom]

This video pulled on the heart strings, we will never forget

[@TheMahadfarah]

I watched this short documentary first thing in the morning, it brought a tear to my eye and made me fell ecstatic all within 12 minutes. That is the power of a good story, what a way to start the day.

[@nimanadali3910]

As a Bradford fan and for someone who lives in Bradford this meant a lot great work copa 90

[@lardy70s]

Beautiful video. We shall never forget those that died that day. RIP to the 56 souls that never went home. From a Spurs fan xx.

[@TheFreshQuince]

this is why I love this channel some amazing documentaries really good

[@kristofermccormack6]

Football always know how tug on the heart strings doesn't it. Thanks copa 90

[@danielong5434]

Loved it. A really touching story. The smile you see from Alec at the end when Bradford scores a goal, that feeling cannot be matched.

[@Parknest]

I became a Bantams fan because of the fire (I was born in the city and knew one of the 56 who perished). The first match I went to was the final game of the 1985/86 season at Odsal against Wimbledon who had been promoted to the top flight. My first time at Valley Parade was the first game after the ground had been rebuilt (14th December 1986) and I also went to the first League game shortly afterwards (26th December 1986). It had one of the shortest pitches in the League so the atmosphere was fantastic. I went to most home games of the 1987/88 season when they missed out on promotion despite being top of the table for most of that time. I was always in the Kop which had the best atmosphere and I always joined in the singing (you could get away with swearing back then!). I remember when City won promotion to the Premiership in 1999 and the atmosphere around the city was amazing. I'd been listening to the radio commentary in the car at the time and everyone was honking their horns. I've only been to Valley Parade a handful to times since then. It is good to hear that Alec and Mark have since reconciled and are watching home games once again.

[@WBFC1995]

I don't think I've ever seen a video have 10,000+ views and no dislikes. A testament to how emotional this was. Keep it up Copa90.

[@dyfc2014]

This film proves why Copa 90 is the best football channel ever

[@ledzeppelin708]

What an amazing video and story, the pain that the city of Bradford went through in 1985 is unimaginable, fantastic to see such a great football club rise again, RIP to all the victims of the Bradford city fire, from Ireland!!!

[@Havencheese]

I'd recommend Martin Fletcher's book '56, The story of the Bradford Fire'. It's a tough read, harrowing but sheds light and theories as to how and why it happened, the politics, along with tragedy he endured as a kid.

[@georgegood1019]

Makes me proud to be a bradford city fan

[@frenchyiscrap6566]

In todays game, there are not many non fan owned teams that truly care about the fans, especially in England from what I can tell, but it seems Bradford City are one of the few that do, good for you Bradford City, keep it up, never sell out like so many other clubs have, i'll be rooting for you guys.

[@Skylaxes]

Both Chairmen and James Mason are fans as well though.

[@Bouy87]

Incredible story, Incredible man, Incredible documentary. Copa 90 bringing people together absolutely fantastic.

[@ChelseaFCallday2]

I think this is your best film yet. Honestly. Extraordinary job Copa90.

[@smurry1116]

his smile when Bradford score just makes me happy.... so glad he enjoys watching the team he loves again

[@eliashbaxter5271]

Really need more documentaries like this one, great job lads Copa90 A couple of tears ran down my cheek!

[@tom.747]

0 dislikes for a reason, very touching music, just a very good video as always...

[@clyth41]

God bless you sir... RIP all those who lost their lives that's terrible day

[@KltxAssassin]

I've watched the footage of the fire... It was horrible to see. I can't imagine what it would have been like to actually be there. RIP

[@retardplane]

incredible old man

[@user-gn7pg9js9s]

Thanks Copa90 for releasing these Documentary's the are so inspirational.

[@khizarrehman6021]

Great video Heart Touching hope this guy has recoverd from the tragedy!

[@alexanderhuddleston2183]

Thank you Copa90 for sharing stories like this.

[@jakethompson4402]

This video really got me emotional as my grandad was there, luckily he survived. RIP the 56 who died, also keep up the great work Copa90

[@kendrickllama3231]

Thanks for showing this video I live in bradford and 14 years ago my mum decided to tell me that my grandad died there, this video really did bring me to tears thank you.

[@zdskillz849]

This made me cry. I wish my great grandad would come to St James Park with me. He hasn’t been since 1982.

[@LouisGeorge23]

Amazing little documentary, gave me goosebumps.

[@kieranskey8404]

Almost me crying quality documentary i love how copa 90 get involved with the fans

[@piefalco7504]

I love your documentaries, even if sometimes I almost cry. Well done Copa90 :]

[@rossgarryson3623]

Videos like this are what make Copa90 so special. Amazing video. Amazing channel.

[@Hammie2k]

Thank you Copa90 for such a great piece and God bless the 56 and all those effected. My mother stopped me going that day (I was 5) but me uncles and brother were all at that game and made it home safe, I count myself and my family as the lucky ones but I will never forget the 54 Bradford and 2 Lincoln fans who were not so fortunate. #RIP56

[@mattjarvis9019]

What a documentary, really got to me great work Copa 90

[@Murtydaking]

The moment you see the pitch for the first time is an amazing moment for anyone

[@SirBradKing]

Utterly Inspirational, well done Copa90

[@willgraham5105]

quality video really loved this keep up the good work copa fam

[@Kevxno]

751 likes and 0 dislikes. Just shows how great this channel is

[@Evan-eo7xp]

this really a got to me - very moving and touching. Amazing video. Thank you.

[@owenllewelyn355]

This really touched me well done Copa 90 great as always

[@AM-pp4kn]

can't stop watching this

[@williamc-e9649]

+Owen Llewelyn yeovil

[@benfalkingham5195]

one of the most touching videos ive ever watched

[@CuchuNerazzurro]

I've got goosebumps, great stuff +Copa90

[@lawrencetallis4328]

What a tear-jerker. So nice to see him getting some joy from football again after all those years.

[@louiscarlish3741]

love it well done copa 90 wonderful video

[@Kelleett]

Cheers for this. Great to see on the channel.

[@Ccccc-mi3tr]

Your content is outstanding, keeps getting better and better

[@tommygunn4395]

Lovely documentary really touching

[@bernardomatias507]

Amazing documentary!!! Congratulations from Portugal 😀

[@ARMINIUS44]

Well done vid. Respect to the Chesterfield fans, rightly showing upmost respect on Sundays tribute.

[@samuelhawes6735]

This is amazing huge respect copa 90 👊🏻

[@altalgorithm]

Love these movies! Keep it up Copa90!

[@josephgresty7493]

Brilliant content Copa. What a touching story.

[@davidyardley512]

A truly wonderful story.

[@lewispaterson6616]

these are hands down the best moments in football with emotional stories like that.

[@cameronketch2363]

Absolutely Brilliant.

[@tupacatracho]

thanks Copa90! now that is some great stuff..

[@CPFCTJ]

This is great!! More stories like this!!

[@jonathandenis7483]

this is beautifull!! well done Copa90

[@ramwithcam]

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

[@floobadoo]

Dammit Copa90, I'm so used to your rousing documentaries on the game in all its loud glory, I wasn't expecting this! Where did all these onions appear from?

[@thejingtongs471]

such a brilliant video, showing the true meanings of football, love the video copa 90

[@36RChris]

Remembering the dead 35 years on R.I.P

[@DansGeekTake]

Great story and video. Hopefully they can get back up to the championship. Well done Copa90

[@bigt990]

Quality content from Copa again, well done lads

[@benrobinson21]

I am a Bradford fan and I love this video

[@goldenballs4261]

Beautiful story. Football brings people together. Great stuff.

[@georgemonk]

Really sweet story guys. This is what football should be about. Excellent work!

[@Liveifiy]

This is a beautiful story it really got me good work lads