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University of Bradford >> Library >> Special Collections >> Papers of the Popplewell Inquiry
Following the fire on May 11 1985 at Valley Parade, the Bradford City football stadium, an Inquiry chaired by Sir Oliver Popplewell was held under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975. In the light of this inquiry, and of the earlier disaster at Birmingham City football stadium, a Committee of Inquiry into Crowd Safety at Sports Grounds was set up. Sir Oliver Popplewell was selected to chair this committee. Submissions and evidence were gathered from interested parties, including the Fire Brigade, police, sociologists, football clubs and other sports associations. The Committee's Interim Report was published in July 1985 (Command Paper Cmnd 9585). Further evidence was received, including reports from the tragedy at Brussels' Heysel stadium and the Final Report was published in 1986 (Command paper Cmnd 9710). Sir Oliver Popplewell donated the papers of the Inquiry to the University of Bradford in 1999.
We often hear from enquirers seeking copies of the two Reports. They are available via various methods, including government publication collections in public and academic libraries, inter library loan via an academic or public library or on databases licensed to information services. When last checked (December 2007), they were not available to purchase from The Stationery Office, although this may be possible again in the future.
The papers include submissions to the Inquiry, notes of oral evidence, notes of visits by the Committee and documents concerning the disasters at Bradford, Birmingham and Heysel, drafts of the two Reports, press cuttings and a collection of articles on football hooliganism.
Further information about the archive is available in two formats :
For more information or to use the archive, please contact Special Collections staff.
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