As city hall bells rang out You’ll Never Walk Alone, hundreds of people stood quietly in Bradford centre to pay tribute to the 56 victims of the Valley Parade fire disaster 28 years on.

Bantams supporters and survivors of the tragedy, many wearing claret and amber, gathered at Centenary Square for a remembrance service for those who died when fire tore through the ground during the match against Lincoln City in 1985.

Light rain lifted as the Acting Dean of Bradford, the Reverend Canon Andrew Williams, addressed the large crowd and told them: “Your presence here is a mark of respect.

“The event which we all wish had not happened has left deep scars and for some those painful scars will always remain.

“It is right to gather to remember and honour those 56 who died that day,” he said.

Reverend Jimmy Hinton, vicar of St Stephen’s, West Bowling, told the sombre gathering that the memory of the tragedy was a darkness which still lingers over Bradford and the lives of those families who suffered loss.

“At times it is like a shadow in the background - as it should be.

“But darkness is not the end,” he assured them.

Tearful friends and relatives joined with civic dignitaries, including the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Dale Smith and the Mayor of Lincoln Karen Lee, in laying wreaths and floral tributes at the Bradford City fire memorial stone.

Many flowers were in the team colours, but some were just single blooms placed tenderly on the memorial and left with a kiss.

City manager Phil Parkinson and City players were also there to represent the club’s enduring support for those families devastated by the catastrophe.

Also present were representatives from West Yorkshire Fire Service and West Yorkshire Police.

And all were linked in grief as the service came to a close with another rendition of Abide With Me.