Bradford City and Lincoln City will meet for an emotional Boxing Day clash - the first time the two football teams have played in a league fixture at Valley Parade since the fire disaster that claimed 56 lives in 1985.

Supporters and club officials are urging a bumper attendance at the game to commemorate the tragedy and raise much needed funds for the Bradford Burns Unit.

The fire swept through the stadium on May 11, 1985 with 56 lives lost and many more people injured. Bradford and Lincoln have been united in their shared grief ever since.

Supporters' clubs for both teams have raised thousands of pounds for the Bradford Burns Unit which played such a crucial role in helping to re-build the lives of those injured in the disaster.

The match will be a hugely emotional occasion for all involved and supporters and officials from the two clubs have united to arrange a series of events to commemorate the tragedy.

The chairman of the Bradford City Supporters' Trust, Alan Carling, said: "I think we all hope to make it a very special and moving day. It is good that all the supporters groups from both teams have been working together to put on events for the occasion.

"We hope to get a great attendance for the match, the more people that turn up the better and we would encourage everyone to donate to the Burns Unit either by buying a T-shirt or by giving money to the bucket collection."

Bradford Liberal Democrat Councillor David Ward said: "This is a very welcome event. I will be at the ground serving in the café and we are going to donate the proceeds to the Burns Unit.

"I was actually born in Lincoln although I have lived in Bradford for more than 30 years so Boxing Day will have an extra special significance for me and I would urge anyone who can to attend and donate to the fund."

Leader of Bradford Council Coun Kris Hopkins said: "The Bradford City fire disaster was a huge tragedy that shook the city and the people of Bradford.

"The more support they receive for this match the more money will be raised for the Burns Unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary."

Labour Leader on Bradford Council, Coun Ian Greenwood, said: "The Burns Unit is a fantastic cause and I will be donating to the fund. I would urge everyone to attend and watch the match and also donate to the fund."

Bradford City Joint Chairman, Mark Lawn, said: "It will be a very poignant afternoon and I wish to welcome the fans of both sides. We will be holding a minute's silence and we are asking people to ensure they arrive at the ground before 2.45pm so that there is no disruption to that."

Wreaths will be laid on the centre circle of the pitch to mark one-minute's silence. The crowd will be invited to stand during the commemoration, and join in the anthem: You'll never walk alone'.

A centre piece of the occasion will be the display of a memorial flag in the North-West Corner stand prepared for the event by Bradford City supporters.

e-mail: paddy.mcguffin @bradford.newsquest.co.uk