On 11 May 1985, just before half time of the old Division 3 fixture between Bradford City Football Club and Lincoln City Football Club, in the last game of the 1984–85 season, a fire broke out in the G block of the main stand at Valley Parade.
The fire quickly spread and within minutes the whole of the wooden main stand was engulfed, resulting in the death of 56 people and injury of over 250.
After a full inquest, it was revealed that the cause of the fire was a disregarded cigarette which had been dropped where there was a build up of litter.
[1] The horrific injuries that Sharpe had to treat along with other staff lead to him setting up the Bradford Burns Unit at Bradford University to research ways into treating burns injuries.
[2] As a result of the need for ongoing funding for the Burns Unit, In late 2010 Bantams Trek was set up to raise money for it by Bradford City assistant kit manager Graham Duckworth.