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Dartford Football Club fans to present jersey to Bradford City at FA Cup match to mark a stadium fire which killed killed 56 three decades ago

Fans of Dartford Football Club will present a jersey to FA Cup rivals Bradford City to commemorate the stadium blaze which killed 56 people almost three decades ago.

Members of Dartford Supporters Association have raised cash to buy a shirt in the Kent team's colours as a gift to pay tribute to those who lost their lives and the hundreds that were injured when litter beneath one of the stands at Bradford City caught fire.

The token will be presented live on the pitch to the chairman of Bradford City Supporters Association in front of a potential 20,000 spectators at the FA cup clash this Sunday at 2pm.

The packed main stand at Bradford's Valley Parade stadium Picture: Barry Goodwin
The packed main stand at Bradford's Valley Parade stadium Picture: Barry Goodwin

The much-anticipated match is the first time Dartford will play in the second round of the national competition in three decades.

An estimated 4,500 fans will make the near five-hour drive up to Bradford to view the potentially groundbreaking game.

Micky Austin, a fundraiser for Dartford Supporters Association, came up with the idea of presenting a shirt. He said: "I was at a Dartford away game when I heard to news about the Bradford fire. It was gutting for football fans everywhere.

"I have been following the Darts since 1953; this is the biggest game we've had for 30 years when we played at Wembley.

Dartford FC
Dartford FC

"I've got 3 double-deckers going up there with just a few seats left at the moment. It should be great."

Micky will be one of a number of members who will get the chance to walk on the pitch to shake hands with their rival supporters.

The odds are against the conference side as they prepare to face up to Bradford, who are competing in League One. However, leader of Dartford council and director at the club Jeremy Kite has high hopes for his home team.

He said: "The rise of this club in the last few years has been a great joy to watch. The way it brings together the community is great. On Sunday, I hope the whole town will be checking in - even if they're not dedicated fans."

The team. Picture: Steve Crispe
The team. Picture: Steve Crispe

"We have got nothing to lose on Sunday. If they enjoy it and play in a relaxed way, and we hold them off and stop them from scoring, anything can happen.

"It's one of the great joys of my life to see the team prosper."

The match has been moved to Sunday at 2pm so that it can feature on the BBC’s FA Cup edition of Final Score. Fans will be able to see the action from the comfort of their home and the club will receive £12,500 for allowing them to broadcast the game.

The Darts have already won £30,500 in prize money during the cup run, and will cash-in on gate receipts from the Bradford game.

For live updates on tomorrow's game, follow @stevetervet who will be reporting live from the match.

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