Major Disasters

Once the crowds are in the grounds their safety is of prime importance. A century ago clubs did virtually nothing to protect spectators and there was hardly a barrier in sight on the terraces. Apart from regular problems of overcrowding, accidents were rare until clubs started developing their grounds: then there were reports of collapsing terraces, walls and fences. The following are some of the major disasters of the 20th century:

1902

Ibrox Park, Glasgow - 25 people were killed when part of the upper storey of the West Stand collapsed shortly after the start of the Scotland-England international.

1946

Burnden Park, Bolton - a section of turnstiles was overrun by part of the unexpectedly large crowd of 85,000. The terracing became so over-crowded that the massed weight of the pushing, swaying fans caused barriers to collapse. In the horrific crush 33 people died and 400 were injured.


1971

Ibrox Park, Glasgow - a second disaster. Two minutes before the end of the game thousands of fans, as is usual, were already leaving by a main stairway. Many of them heard cheers as the home team scored the equalising goal and tried to get back up the stairs to see what was happening. They met those still trying to leave the ground. In the crush 66 people were killed and more than 140 were injured.

Green = Crowds leaving early . Red = Crowds trying to get back up the stairs


1985

On the last Saturday of the 1984-85 season, at Valley Parade, Bradford 55 fans died and over 200 were injured when flames burned their way along the wooden floorboards of the main stand and then engulfed the whole packed area.

On the same day as the Bradford fire a boy died when Leeds's fans went on the rampage at St Andrews when their side met Birmingham City. The youngster was crushed under a wall and dozens of other fans and police were injured


 1985 - Valley Parade, Bradford


1989

On 15 April 1989 footballs worst-ever disaster took place at Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield. Ninety-five people were crushed to death. It was an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. Liverpool were chasing "The Double". Several hundred Liverpool fans, without tickets, were milling around outside the ground after the start of the game.The gate to the Leppings Lane end was opened and the crowd surged forward under pressure from the new arrivals. Hundreds of fans were crushed against fences at the edge of the pitch and the game was immediately abandoned. Ninety six people died. Pictures of the disaster shocked the football world.


Crowd Safety

In recent years there have been some major attempts to improve safety at sports stadiums. The most important changes are:


1973

The government produced a set of guidelines called Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds. This advisory document is known as The Green Guide. It draws attention to the main areas of concern:

  • hazards to individuals which might cause falling, tripping or slipping. Preventive measures to include well maintained floor surfaces, gangways and hand rails, and precautions to stop spectators climbing on structures such as lighting pylons.
  • evacuation procedures, in case of fire or other emergency situations, must enable spectators to leave quickly by adequate gangways and sufficient exits. For example all exit doors should open outwards.
  • to minimise the risk of serious disorder rival fans should be segregated.
  • crowd pressure on terraces, exit routes and stairways. Adequate crush barriers must be provided and crowd capacities reduced.

1975

The Safety at Sports Grounds Act was passed. The Act introduced a system of compulsory licensing. Grounds which hold more than 10,000 spectators may be ‘designated’. A designated ground must have a safety certificate issued by the local authority specifying standards such as:

  • the ground’s total capacity, including the maximum number permitted in each section.
  • the number, size and situation of all entrances and exits. These must be properly maintained.
  • the number of crush barriers necessary and their location.

Failure to comply with this Act may result in prosecution.

Note: The 1975 Act has since been amended with regard to football grounds. The spectator figure has been reduced from 10,000 to 5,000.


1985

The Popplewell Report investigated the cause of the Bradford fire and recommended, among many other things, that no new stands be built of combustible materials and the installation of closed circuit television in football grounds.


1989

The Right Honourable Lord Justice Taylor was appointed to inquire into the events at Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield. His most significant recommendations were:

  • First (Premier) and Second (First) Division League Clubs, and Wembley Stadium should convert their spectator areas to all-seater accommodation from the start of the 1994/95 season.
  • Standing accommodation should be reduced annually by 20% of the present capacity from August 1990.
  • All other grounds should convert their spectator areas to all-seater accommodation from the start of the 1999/2000 season. Standing accommodation should be reduced annually by 10% of the present capacity from August 1990.
  • An Advisory Design Council to be established to conduct research into the improvement and design of football stadiums and to disseminate information regularly to the Football Leagues and football clubs.