Fans angry at derby day travel rules
A FANS’ group has criticised security arrangements for Pompey supporters travelling to a the derby match at Southampton on April 7.
Like Saints fans at the December meeting between the clubs at Fratton Park, they will have to agree to travel in a coach convoy to get a ticket.
SOS Pompey spokesman Brendon Bone wrote: ‘The “bubble” arrangements, which are in a complete contravention of human rights, are nothing short of scandalous.’
He said: ‘At Saturday’s game between West Ham and Millwall, which was trouble free, both sets of fans were able to travel freely to the ground. If a game that has been notorious down the years can be policed so sensibly by Metropolitan Police, we would ask Hampshire Constabulary to take a leaf out of their book.’
Superintendent Rick Burrows said: ‘The vast majority of feedback we received in December was supportive and appreciative of the police tactical plan, which for the first time in many years saw no inter-fan disorder.’
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Comments
There are 21 comments to this article
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Myler CCC
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 04:56 PMMR Bone put your money where you mouth is and take it to court and get it over turned. post 9 if you want to go by coach get supporters coach. also did the OB let them throw bricks coins etc at us as we walk from the station? they didn't stop them did they. it should be the indivduals choice how they get to the game.
khodgkins
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 02:57 PMPompeyKarl I do not think the whole bubble thing is the best idea, however it worked for last visit of them down the road, that will be the Police argument from now on and we can not really respond to that, your comment about Rangers vs Celtic is true howevr the Glasgow Police expect at least five stabbings during the clash. (this is from a nurse friend who's worked up there in A&E) Anyway PFC may well be out of business by then so it will not happen
gingerprince
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 02:16 PMTo post 4, no Celtic and Rangers don't do this. How could they, they are in the same city. They are not areas of the city that are staunchly catholic or protestant so as a solution it would be impossible to implement. I'm sure Glasgow police do have tactics in place that they dont use when either side have non-Glasgow fixtures though.
gingerprince
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 02:13 PMNo Andy, a '1 fix fits all society' doesn't work. This , however, is 1 specific football match with a troubled history that does deserve special attention. Some of the comments on here about Hampshire being a police state etc are just reactionary garbage. I don't place your comments in this category obviously, as I have said your situation is specific and personal to you. Hampshire police however have to come up with a cure-all solution for the day. Those criticising the police tactics in this matter probably just have a problem with the police full stop and would be among the first to condemn them if they did nothing and people got hurt.
Man in Black
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 02:06 PMBrendon, exercise your human right and don't go. I sure there will be plenty of takers for your ticket!!!
PompeyAndy1
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 01:59 PMCommon sense should prevail - a '1 fix fits all' society doesn't work.
gingerprince
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 01:55 PMso you think it would make sense to risk the security of thousands to save you 12 quid and a half an hour journey? I realise it must be a bit annoying for you, but your case is very specific.
PompeyAndy1
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 01:47 PM13 - missing the point. Why when I can walk to the ground should I pay for the petrol to Pompey and back AND a £12 coach fare?????
gingerprince
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 01:32 PMTo post 12, if you live in Southampton and are a season ticket holder as you say, then surely you do drive from Southampton to Fratton for EVERY game, so wheres the hardship? Its hardly an arduous trek is it mate.
PompeyAndy1
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 01:15 PMUtterly rediculous - I live in Southampton and will have to drive to North Harbour to get the coach back both ways. I have now lived in Southampton for five years and have been a Season Ticket holder all that time so am clearly on the database as a Pompey fan. Common sense should prevail in certain circumstances surely!
TtP
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 12:34 PMThe "Bubble" was put in place to increase the Safety of the Public, as well as the Fans of both Club's, travelling to & from the game! SURELY, That has to be a GOOD thing ~ I'm all for it, I went by Coach to the FA Cup win at their ground, & it is probably the safest I have felt going in to a potentially explosive environment! As for Human Rights! Is it not the Right of All citizens to go about their daily business in a peaceful & unthreatened manner ~ which includes the Police, Stewards, Vendors & Fans??? I'll be taking My 11 year old Son to this one, so I'm more than Happy that these Safety measures are in place!
SouthernDandy
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 12:05 PMWon't all the Police needed for the bubble operation now be diverted to escort more of 'Arrys totally legal and above board money onto a ferry and off to Monaco?
Sailor Sam
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 11:51 AMEven with a large police presence when Pompey last played at St Marys, there were still Pompey fans and police who were injured by the missiles thrown by non-Pompey fans. I use that term because I doubt whether many of those involved had actually been to the match, but saw it as an opportunity to cause mayhem. Similarly, when Pompey beat Saints 4-1 at Fratton Park, the majority of Pompey fans were still in the ground, cheering the team, when all hell let loose in the streets...............There was no trouble and no one was hurt when Saints last visited Pompey, because the Bubble worked........When Brendan Bone talks of 'Human Rights', It is my Human Right to be able to go to a football match without being bombarded with bricks etc. so The Bubble will be protecting that right.
gingerprince
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 11:18 AMGiven the success of the police operation at the home fixture, there was never any doubt that they would repeat the regime for the St.Mary's game and rightly so. Better that the police have their way with arrangements than just implement a blanket ban of away fans which was another idea suggested to combat the problem of mindless vandalism and violence.
SouthernDandy
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 11:17 AMAt least Pompey fans will be able to buy beer inside St Mary's. Saints fans weren't able to do that at Fratton. But I think overall, fans of both sides can for once agree these measures are over the top and smack of a police-state
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