DON Goodman wants the world to follow the way that Bradford dealt with the fire and emerge from the coronavirus as a more caring place.

The Sky Sports pundit was a young player for City during the 1985 season that ended in horror when 56 people lost their lives at Valley Parade.

As the 35th anniversary approaches next month, Goodman can still remember the public attitude around the players in the aftermath – and believes that is how present society need to respond once this pandemic is finally over.

“The people of Bradford had really come together,” he said. “You could feel the spirit and togetherness around the city.

“Everybody had shown us such love and kindness, not just as footballers but human beings.

“That’s my wish for this coronavirus that when you’ve been through a tragedy like that, the world will be a more caring and compassionate place.

“It isn’t the world that I grew up in as a young man. It has deteriorated badly in terms of its morals, values and respect.

“But you hope that out of adversity will come compassion and warmth.

“Certainly, we felt that from the whole city of Bradford and beyond. We were in everybody’s hearts at the time because it was such a tragedy.”

Goodman, who made his City debut aged 17, played 81 times and scored 20 goals. The striker finished his career with nearly 700 appearances for 10 different clubs.

He was involved in 25 games during the Division Three title-winning season and played another 20 the following season when the Bantams were forced to play “home” games at Elland Road, Odsal and Huddersfield.

He admitted: “That season was a bit of a blur, if I’m honest. I was just numb through that time.

“The way I dealt with the fire in the long term was to try and block as much of it out as I possibly could.

“We all have different coping mechanisms and that was mine. I probably ghosted through that following season in a way.

“Obviously, we were so grateful to everyone that said such kind words and we were able to get through it and actually do okay in the Championship the following season without playing a home game.”

Goodman played in the emotional return to Valley Parade on December 14, 1986 when City hosted an England XI. A 15,000 full house watched their team finally come back home 582 days after the disaster.

Goodman scored the opening goal as City beat England 2-1 with a late winner from Mark Leonard. But his only memories are the emotion of the day.

“I can’t remember scoring but I still have Tony Cottee’s shirt, the number 10.

“I tell everybody that it’s Glenn Hoddle’s – sorry about that, Tony!

“It was so emotional, a poignant moment in the history of the football club.

“Out of the adversity of the Bradford fire and the 56 people who tragically lost their lives, who knows how many were saved after that through the implementation of seating and concrete rather than wooden stands?

“It was like getting back home for the fans, the players and coaching staff. I can’t recall much of the game itself but it was a very special.”