Beckfoot Thornton School makes City fire graphic novel

University academics from Leeds Beckett university and an artist worked closely with year nine pupils at Beckfoot Thornton School to help develop their ideas, which included creating fictionalised characters based on real-life events.

34 years have passed since the devastating fire which killed 56 spectators in the stadium and injured at least 265 fans.

The day was May 11, 1985, and it was match day against Lincoln City.

In the final match of the season, the Bantams players were celebrating their Third Division title triumph in front of their own fans at Valley Parade.

“We think now is the right time to bring the story to wider attention by giving Beckfoot Thornton’s students the chance to take the lead, and in putting the unsung heroes at the heart of the narrative" - Dr Shane Ewan

But at 3.40pm a small fire in the main stand broke out and, within minutes, the blaze had engulfed the entire area in flames.

It was a particularly poignant moment for the school which lost former pupils Ashley Stockman, 16, and her brother Craig, 14, in the tragic incident.

The story of Dr Rahman, the brilliant consultant plastic surgeon, who, calmly under pressure, operates on the burned patients, and helps them to rebuild their lives.

A plaque now provides a permanent memorial for the siblings and acts as the focal point to the school’s own annual commemoration ceremony.

The three stories will be published in a graphic novel produced for the Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded project, ‘Forged by Fire: Burns Injury and Identity in Britain, 1800-2000’, in 2020.

Dr Shane Ewen, reader in school of cultural studies and humanities at Leeds Beckett University, explained: “Given we are more than thirty years on from the Bradford fire, it remains well-known locally to Bradfordians.

“However, it does appear to be less well-known beyond West Yorkshire despite contributing to major changes to the safety of football in grounds up and down the country.

Pupils working on their graphic novels

“We think now is the right time to bring the story to wider attention by giving Beckfoot Thornton’s students the chance to take the lead, and in putting the unsung heroes at the heart of the narrative.

“In doing so, we hope that this helps serve as a memorial both to the 56 victims of the fire as well as everyone else involved in the tragedy.

“We’re extremely grateful to Jeremy Richardson, Headteacher, and Neil Adams, Head of History, at Beckfoot Thornton School, and especially the Year 9 students who have done a terrific job in sharing their stories with new audiences.”

The novel will be available for use within schools and other organisations in order to start a discussion around issues related to injury, heroism, identity and survival.

The first story tells the story of bravery by a young fan who, in helping her grandfather escape, received life-changing burns injuries.

This girl was represented by the character Josephine, a 10-year-old Bradford City supporter, pictured top left, who who would do anything for her family.

Her traits are described by one student as 'caring' and an avid fan who always goes to matches.

Members of the Bangladeshi community who helped injured police officers and supporters were the focus of the second tale.

Pupils shined a spotlight on the medical professionals, particularly plastic surgeons, who worked tirelessly to help the hundreds of survivors who suffered burns injuries.

These stories were told through the eyes of Dr Rehman, a fictional character described by one pupil as in her 30s, 5ft 3, calm, assured and professional under pressure.

As the part of the project, a competition was launched to give pupils of a winning school the opportunity to work alongside graphic artist Tom Bailey to create three stories for the novel.

Rachel Wood, from charitable organisation Saltaire Stories, worked alongside the project to help pupils find their storytelling voice.

Dr Ewen, who felt all the pupils were very keen to get involved, said: "I think it's particularly important for young people in Bradford but also outside of Bradford to know about the history of the tragedy.

"Their grandparents and parents were affected directly or indirectly. They say at the time everybody in Bradford knew someone there so it's really important to know about it.

"Their history teacher, Mr Adams, has taught them the history of the fire so they were really (keen) when we got involved with them and they were looking forward to the workshops.

"They're quite arty students as well as being interested in history.

"They were quite with my argument that we can tell history through art."

Dr Ewen hopes the books will be published next May.

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