THE 30th annual Valley Parade Memorial Tournament, held in honour of the 56 football fans who lost their lives in the Bradford City fire disaster in 1985, is set to take place this weekend.

More than 320 young players will take to the field at the Marley Activities and Coaching Centre in Keighley, alongside exhibition matches featuring veterans, supporters, and disability teams.

The competition has been held every year since 1986 and commemorates the tragic events on May 11, 1985, which claimed the lives of 54 Bradford City supporters and two from Lincoln City, who Bradford were playing that day.

More than 12,000 participants have taken part in the event, which is organised by Bradford Council’s Sport and Leisure Service and sponsored by the Prison Officers’ Association.

To mark its 30th anniversary, a dinner was held at Valley Parade last night to show appreciation to those past and present who have been involved in the tournament, which this year will again see teams from across the district compete against opponents from Lincoln, and Hamm, Bradford's twin town in Germany.

Guests included representatives from Bradford Council and the Prison Officers’ Association (POA), past and present players and management from both Bradford City and Lincoln City, and a delegation from Hamm.

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford, the Mayor of Lincoln, and Professor Sharpe, founder of the Bradford Burns Unit, which was set up in the wake of the disaster, were also in attendance.

Steve Hartley, interim strategic director for Environment and Sport at Bradford Council, said: "This annual tournament helps to preserve the memory of those who died and to reflect on what happened that day, and also lets us celebrate our future footballers.

"Many of the children who have taken part have gone on to play football professionally with some even being called up to play for their country.

"Even though the tournament was born out of tragedy, it still shows how much sport can bring people together even 30 years on."

John Boddington MBE, a former national chairman of the POA, said it was "wonderful" the tournament had reached its 30 year milestone.

"When we started in 1986, nobody envisaged how or if it would evolve," he said.

"But now, in our 30th year, thousands of youngsters have had the chance to participate, which is great.

"The links between the POA and Bradford are inextricable."

Bantams legend John Hendrie, a guest at last night's dinner, said the organisers of the tournament were to be applauded.

"12,000 kids taking part is absolutely remarkable, and if it wasn't for the tournament, some of those kids might not have learnt about the fire disaster," he said.

"Long may it last, and I'm sure it will. The organisers have such a feel for the event, and you've just got to congratulate them.

"The tournament is always done in a respectful and tasteful manner, and it will be as poignant as ever this year."