More than 2,000 people stood in silence in the centre of Bradford today to remember the victims of the Valley Parade fire disaster 25 years on.

Club supporters and survivors of the tragedy, many wearing Bantams shirts and scarves, were joined by representatives from Bradford City, the emergency services and dignitaries for an outdoor memorial service in Centenary Square.

A quarter of a century may have passed since the fire ripped through the stadium’s main stand, claiming the lives of 56 fans and injuring hundreds more, but the events of that day still appeared to be fresh in many people’s minds.

Tears were shed as prayers were said to commemorate those who died and as scores of floral tributes were laid at the foot of the Bradford City fire memorial stone.

Young and old were united in collective sorrow as they sang the football anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone and the hymn Abide With Me, accompanied by The City of Bradford Brass Band.

In his address at the service, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said: “Every community that forgets its memories becomes senile so you, the city of Bradford, do well to remember the Bradford City fire disaster.”

Also at the service was the Oberburgermeister of Hamm, Bradford’s twin city, and representatives from Lincoln City, who were playing City on the day of the fire. Former Bradford City players at the ceremony included Stuart McCall, who closed his eyes for much of the service as he clutched a wreath.

Among the onlookers was life-long City fan Tony Archer, of Odsal, who was at the ground with his father, wife and two young daughters, when the tragedy struck.

He said: “It’s the first memorial service I’ve been to as I have not felt able to come. I can feel the heat of the fire now just thinking about it.”

Another member of the crowd, Joanne Golton, who was ten at the time of the fire, said she had wanted to come to remember 11-year-old Rupert Greenwood, a childhood friend who died in the disaster.

She said: “I have not been to a memorial service before. It’s a very sad day.”

Also at the service was David Hustler, 70, of Allerton, who received hospital treatment for two-and-a-half years after the fire. He said: “I come here every year. I have never seen so many people here before. Everyone knew someone who was affected by the fire. That day will stay in my mind forever.”

Speaking after the service, Mark Lawn, the club’s co-chairman, said: “The service was a lovely memento to the people who lost their lives on such a sad day.

“The support from the community shows the depth of feeling of the people of Bradford.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the people who lost their lives in the tragedy and the people who have got mental scars for years to come. It shows the Bradford community sticks with each other when things go wrong.”

The day of remembrance also included a short service at 3pm at the ground to coincide with the start of the fateful match and a remembrance service at Bradford Cathedral for families and friends of those who died.

A refurbished memorial stone was also unveiled by the Hamm Strasse and Manningham Lane junction.