A BRADFORD City fan is selling some of the club's old seats in aid of the burns research unit to remember the 56 fans who lost their lives in the Valley Parade fire disaster 30 years ago.

Antoni Preston, 52, of Landsholme Court, Holme Wood, is selling 56 seat backs which were taken from Bradford City's main stand in February.

He volunteered to remove more than 400 seats from the Co-operative Main Stand at the ground ahead of the club's FA Cup quarter-final with Reading earlier this month.

He was then allowed to keep the claret coloured seat backs by City and is now selling them online. Donations for the seats have ranged from £30 to £75 so far.

Mr Preston, who has followed City since 1973, wants to donate all funds raised from the appeal to the University of Bradford's Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU) which was set up in the aftermath of the tragedy.

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He hopes to raise £5,000 for the unit's fund.

The blaze, on May 11, 1985, claimed a total of 56 victims, 54 Bradford City fans and two supporters of their opponents that day, Lincoln City.

Hundreds of other fans suffered severe burns as the blaze ripped through the wooden stand.

Mr Preston said: "It is a chance for people to donate to a good cause and get a piece of Bradford City's history.

"I wanted to do something to mark the 30th anniversary of the fire. I thought it is for a good cause, so why not?

"So far, 28 people have committed to buying a seat back and 14 people have donated.

"People have donated £30 or £56 or more for them.

"I was not at the ground on the day of the fire but it was horrific.

"It is a chance for people to own something that they will never see again. Those types of seats are not used anymore.

"I have washed all of the seats at home.

"I'm a lifelong fan of the club."

Ajay Mahajan, consultant plastic surgeon and director of research at PSBRU, said: "I am really pleased to note that Antoni Preston has given the Bantams an opportunity to keep this piece of memorabilia in their lives.

"It will obviously mean a lot to them, but I am even more delighted to note that you have us in your hearts in this venture.

"We at the PSBRU are extremely grateful to you for donating the collection from this event to our cause.

"We have now been going for almost 30 years since the Bradford fire, and with your support, we hope to continue our efforts to improve healthcare for the future."

Go to, justgiving.com/the56seatsale to make a donation.