BRADFORD City have led the district’s tributes on the 32nd anniversary of the Hillsborough football disaster.

A total of 96 fans died at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium.

Among them were three fans with Bradford district connections.

Sarah Hicks, 19, and her 15-year-old sister Vicki, daughters of former Keighley buisnessman Trevor Hicks, had been standing in the central pens on the Leppings Lane terrace after being separated from their father.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: From left, Vicki and Sarah Hicks From left, Vicki and Sarah Hicks

The 96th victim to die was Tony Bland, from Keighley, who was 18 at the time of the disaster.

He was left in a persistent vegetative state and his life supporting treatment was removed at the age of 22 after a legal battle. He died at Airedale General Hospital.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Tony Bland from Keighley Tony Bland from Keighley

Today, Bradford retweeted Liverpool FC’s tweet on the anniversary.

The Bantams message read: “Thoughts are with our friends, Liverpool FC and the loved ones of the 96 supporters who lost their lives - at Hillsborough - 32 years ago today.

“You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

 

This led to City fans also posting their own tributes on social media:

 

Meanwhile, a family support group set up following the Hillsborough disaster has decided to disband, it has been announced.

Trevor Hicks, who lost his two teenage daughters Sarah and Vicki in the 1989 tragedy, confirmed to the Bradford Telegraph & Argus that the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) has disbanded.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Trevor Hicks Trevor Hicks

Thirty-two years on, the families will mark the anniversary of the disaster privately due to restrictions of the pandemic.

Mr Hicks, a former Keighley businessman, served as the group’s chairman for its first 16 years and has been its president ever since.

The families continued to fight years after the disaster, including in April 2016 when the 96 Liverpool fans, including one from Keighley, who died in the Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed, an inquests' jury concluded.