Rochdale fans have apologised to City for chanting “is there a fire drill” during the recent win at Valley Parade.

It is a common taunt directed at supporters leaving the game early but caused upset with many in the ground because of the disaster when 56 people died.

Dale supporters trust secretary Murray Knight has written to their City counterparts to say sorry.

He said: “There was no slight or lack of respect intended.

“Indeed, our more ‘senior’ fans, aware of the sensitivity of the circumstances and realising that such a chant was totally unacceptable, quickly attempted to diffuse the situation by advising those responsible to cease, which they did.

“Please be assured once more that no offence was intended. We would never intentionally be party to disrespecting the tragedy suffered by your club in 1985.”