80th Anniversary of the Burnden Disaster

for 1 hour, 30 mins
Bolton Parish Church (St Peter Bolton-le-Moors)
Churchgate Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 1PS, United Kingdom

Bolton Wanderers Football Club and the Vicar of Bolton, Rev Hannah Lane, will hold a memorial service at Bolton Parish Church on Monday 9th March 2026 to remember the 33 supporters who lost their lives in the Burnden Park Disaster on 9th March 1946.

This year marks 80 years since the darkest day in the club’s history. On that Saturday afternoon, Wanderers hosted Stoke City in an FA Cup sixth-round second-leg tie at Burnden Park. An estimated 85,000 supporters packed into the ground drawn by the prospect of cup football’s return after the war and the presence of the legendary Stanley Matthews in the Stoke line-up. What should have been a celebration of football’s peacetime revival turned to tragedy when terrace barriers collapsed at the Railway End, causing a fatal crush that claimed 33 lives and injured hundreds more.

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Bolton Parish Church (St Peter Bolton-le-Moors)

Welcome to Bolton Parish Church - the Parish Church of St Peter Bolton-le-Moors. We are a Church of England parish within the Diocese of Manchester. Bolton Parish Church is the civic church of Bolton, rooted in the Anglican choral tradition, and is known throughout the town as “the Parish Church”.   Take part in a virtual tour here

There has been a Christian place of worship on this site for 1200 years - and we are proud to continue this heritage of Anglican witness in the heart of the town. Our mission statement is Worshipping God: Loving one another: Serving our town and in living out this mission, we welcome everyone who comes to us.

Bolton Parish Church is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops' guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer. The Diocese of Manchester’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advises our Parish Safeguarding Officer. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

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Bolton Parish Church, Silverwell Street, Bolton BL1 1PS

BL1 1PS
01204 522226

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80th Anniversary of the Burnden Disaster

for 1 hour, 30 mins
Bolton Parish Church (St Peter Bolton-le-Moors)
Churchgate Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 1PS, United Kingdom

Bolton Wanderers Football Club and the Vicar of Bolton, Rev Hannah Lane, will hold a memorial service at Bolton Parish Church on Monday 9th March 2026 to remember the 33 supporters who lost their lives in the Burnden Park Disaster on 9th March 1946.

This year marks 80 years since the darkest day in the club’s history. On that Saturday afternoon, Wanderers hosted Stoke City in an FA Cup sixth-round second-leg tie at Burnden Park. An estimated 85,000 supporters packed into the ground drawn by the prospect of cup football’s return after the war and the presence of the legendary Stanley Matthews in the Stoke line-up. What should have been a celebration of football’s peacetime revival turned to tragedy when terrace barriers collapsed at the Railway End, causing a fatal crush that claimed 33 lives and injured hundreds more.

More info