Although sporting rivalries can be fiercely intense, the vast majority of even the most committed fans recognise that some things are much more important.

So the traditional needle between Bradford City and Leeds United supporters will be cast aside when hundreds of them get together as part of events marking the 30th anniversary of the Bradford City Fire.

The city’s branch of the Leeds United supporters club has organised a charity football match and auction which it is hoped will raise thousands of pounds for the University of Bradford’s Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit, as well as for the Leeds Children’s Hospital Appeal.

The event is one of many that are taking place over the next few weeks to mark the anniversary of the Valley Parade fire in which 56 people lost their lives.

The whole footballing community is set to come together to commemorate the tragedy, which happened on May 11, 1985, with all from super-rich Premier League clubs down to amateur sides backing the anniversary appeal..

There will be bucket collections at games across the land, including at the two FA Cup semi-finals at the weekend, and a new charity record has also been released.

The football match between fans of Leeds United and Bradford City is symbolic of that spirit of remembrance and unity, with local rivalries set aside for a few hours to show respect to those who lost their lives and the many more whose lives were changed forever on that day.

The 56 will never be forgotten in Bradford, but they will be especially poignantly remembered over the next few weeks in the city.