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Minute's silence before Sunday's game

Emirates Stadium

There will be a period of silence before kick-off on Sunday to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Valley Parade fire.

Fifty-six fans never returned home from Bradford City’s Third Division match against Lincoln City on May 11, 1985, after a fire engulfed the main stand.

In solidarity with Bradford, who played their last home game of the season yesterday, all Barclays Premier League fixtures across this weekend have been preceded by a minute’s silence.

Peter McCormick, acting chairman of the Premier League said: “The Bradford Fire was one of the most terrible tragedies ever to strike English football. It will be forever remembered by all football fans not only for the loss of the life but also for the many acts of bravery by the emergency services and the fans themselves.”

The Premier League is also fundraising for Bradford City FC’s chosen charity, the Bradford University Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU). In January the league made a donation of £25,000 to the PSBRU and will match the donations raised through bucket collections at the grounds of its member clubs across the commemorative April weekend.

The existence of the PSBRU – known also as the Bradford Burns Unit – stands as a lasting memorial, and a living legacy of the fire disaster. It depends entirely on public donations for its continued survival.

Donations to the Bradford Burns Unit Memorial Appeal can also be made through the official commemoration website.