Bolton remembers 33 who died in Burnden Park disaster

Bolton Wanderers fans are today remembering the 69th anniversary of one of football's biggest tragedies.

The flag flies at half-mast over the Macron stadium today in remembrance of the 33 people who died in the Burnden Park disaster on March 9, 1946.

They were crushed to death in the crowd at a Bolton Wanderers home match at the club’s former Burnden Park stadium, which is now the site of an Asda supermarket.

A massive 85,000 people had crammed into the terraces to watch the FA Cup tie against Stoke, with many climbing over walls to get into the ground when the turnstiles were shut in the hope of seeing Stoke star Stanley Matthews in action.

The overcrowding at the Embankment end forced the barriers to collapse and bodies fell on top of each other and on to the pitch, suffocating many fans.

The dead and injured were laid out on the pitch as players were ushered back to their dressing room, but the scale of the disaster was not realised at the time and officials, fearing trouble if the game was abandoned, resumed the match.

Bolton Wanderers' club chaplain Phil Mason said: "The flag, as always, is lowered and the memorial book at the front of the ground will be opened He added: "It is important that we do not forget — it remains one of the biggest football disasters in history, which led to new legislation being passed.

"It unites us with other clubs who have gone through similar tragedies, and it intertwines the club with Liverpool."

He added: "At the memorial service at the end of the season the names of those who died in the Burnden Park disaster will be read out."

Wanderers will mark the 70th anniversary of the disaster — on March 9 next year — with the release of a custom designed third kit for next season.

The Macron-manufactured limited edition shirt will have the names of the 33 people who died that day printed in the fabric.

A total of 1,000 shirts will be made available for purchase, with £10 from each sale being donated to a Bolton-based charity chosen by the supporters.

The Lancashire rose and date of the Burnden Disaster — 09-03-1946 — will also feature on the reverse and collar of the shirt.

Keen Bolton Wanderers supporter Cllr John Walsh said: "I think it is very important Bolton reflects and remembers. It had a huge impact on the club and the town.

"Families suffered terribly and financially. There were fundraising appeals which showed once again how Bolton pulls together.

"My mother was at the match and I remember her telling me her mother was waiting for her on the doorstep — many people at the match did not know the scale of the tragedy, while those at home had heard it on the radio."

Monday 9 March 2015

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