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Travel arrangements for us V skates


Marsdinho

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Have been emailed this by a work colleague. Apparently it was posted by a skate on another Saints forum.....

 

Just passing on the info.

 

 

After the events of the last meeting between Saints and Pompey and the disorder that took place despite a large police operation, Hampshire Police in conjunction with both clubs are I am told considering a drastic plan of action to segregate supporters at the forthcoming game at Fratton Park which if successful will be duplicated for the return game at St Mary's

 

In simple terms what is being proposed is that every Saints fan who wants to attend the game will have to travel on an official club coach and will only receive their match ticket when the coach is in motion and on its way to the match.

 

The convoy of coaches will be escorted from St Mary's to Fratton, will be parked in a secure area and then Saints fans will be escorted in and out of the ground and back to Southampton.

 

It’s a measure that has been used by other Police forces for Derby games such as these, most notably for the Newcastle V Sunderland fixtures, so its a plan that has been proven to work.

 

Its not ideal for those that live out of the direct Southampton area, for instance if you are a Saints fan who lives in say Chichester, you would have to drive past Brighton and all the way to Southampton to get on a coach, likewise if you are from London where a number of our regular travelling supporters reside then instead of going direct to Pompey by train which would be roughly the same cost as going to Southampton, you would have to come to Soton by train then pay again to go by coach to Pompey, its an effective measure but not ideal as it inconveniences many.

 

But for the Police it makes their job a lot easier, it isolates all of the away support into one easily controlled area, from where they can keep home fans well away.

 

It also means that they can easily spot those who would perhaps go to the game to cause trouble easily, quite simply anyone trying to go by train would be easily seen by Police spotters and issued with orders stopping them from going to the vicinity of the match on that day, it makes it harder for potential trouble makers to blend in with other supporters.

 

There are of course drawbacks to doing this, firstly the number of coaches needed for the operation, if Saints where to receive around 2,500 tickets for the game then about 50 coaches would be needed and that’s a big number and a long convoy to escort into each city.

 

Secondly its what to do with supporters when they get to the ground, the problem at St Mary's is easily solved in that with a big covered concourse with TV screens etc, the fans can be kept entertained if they have an hour or so before the game to kill and food and drink easily obtained, however at Fratton its a lot different with the away end being so devoid of such facilities.

 

For the December game at Fratton with a kick off of 1pm, Saints fans would probably be needing to start leaving St Mary's on the first coach at around 10.30am, probably be needing to board at 10am to ensure that they arrive at Fratton in good time and can be escorted and enter the ground in good time, with catering facilities so sparse in the away end at Fratton and the fact that the coaches would probably not arrive back at St Mary's till around 4.30pm Saints fans could struggle to be able to buy food and drink for a period of around 6 - 7 hours.

 

Thoughtful planning could of course help alleviate problems, if the police and Clubs look at this potential problem then perhaps plenty of catering outlets could be provided in the secure coach parking areas, again this would help funnel out the crowd and ensure that 2,500 supporters weren’t all trying to get in at the same time, this was a problem at the last two derby games at Fratton when over 1,000 fans on the train not only arrived late due to the police being unable to get them down Goldsmith Avenue, but then where further delayed b their being only three turnstiles for the whole away end.

 

Perhaps the final problem would be where to park the coaches, at Fratton there is a large industrial area that could be used, but at St Mary's it might be hard to fit 50 -60 coaches into Brittannia Road.

 

These measures have worked well in the past notably for the Tyne- Wear games where the police have been able to spot large groups travelling on public transport and pack them back off to their own City, due to having to be on the coach to actually see the game, it means that you can have no excuse for going by any other method and the police can quickly isolate ticket less fans as Sunderland police did when around 200 Newcastle fans travelled by train and where quickly rounded up and sent back.

 

Its very likely that they are now going to adopt these same tactics in Hampshire, in truth many law abiding fans will welcome these moves, certainly Fratton is not a great place to visit due to a section of their support as was evidenced during our last two visits, however if its to be implemented then the Police do need to consider the welfare of supporters and ensure that the operation is carried out without putting supporters through situations that can be easily avoided.

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Guest Dark Sotonic Mills

The words 'overkill' and 'knee-jerk' spring to mind. Not less the fact that such arrangements run totally against the Human Rights Act, in particular Articles 3, 5, 11 and 14.

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Can see the club making the travel a stupid price if this is true.

 

Well you would hope not...it costs what..£5 maybe £10 in petrol to get to Portsmouth... anything over that would be appallling! That said, it would have to be ridiculously high to stop me from going....

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Guest Dark Sotonic Mills
If fans are being forced to go on the coaches surely it should be up to the police/club to pay for the travel, rather than making each person fork out an extra £10-£14 than they would have to normally?

 

I can't see it happening. There's no justification to abrogate our need to follow the HRA in this case on the grounds of National Security, public morals or health. Not even, IMO, on the grounds of public safety.

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I hope this is not true as I live in Chichester. Therefore I would have to drive past Portsmouth all the way to Southampton, just to be be bussed back to Portsmouth. Then the whole palava in reverse after the game. It would easily quadruple my travelling time to the game and my costs.

 

Crazy idea.

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I can't see it happening, because the OB will want to go for overkill, so that they can all get overtime etc. This scheme would prevent the need for that.

 

However, the senior police officers might think its a good idea, because it will save them money.

How? These schemes use loads of police to escort the coaches, keep the route and surrounding streets clear, manage the compound where supporters are dropped off.
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Particularly on bingo coaches FFS. Do you still get to vote for man of the match?

 

Yep you still do as people on the coach have different opinions to who gets MOTM after the games so you can see what you get

from other people's reactions etc!

I use the coach for most away games anyway like for tomorrow example for Burnley and I'm not bothered aslong as I get to and from

the game!

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Particularly on bingo coaches FFS. Do you still get to vote for man of the match?

 

'kinnell, who's going to sit next to Doris?

 

If this bubble trip comes off it may be wise to have a good look around you while waiting for the coaches as whoever you end up sitting next to on the bus will also be getting their seat ticket next to you in the ground/dump as they dish them out on the way down.

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I think all this sounds like more hassle than it's worth, i'm just going to get a ticket in the home end and travel down by train, much easier hopefully if there are enough saints in the home end they'll just seperate an area off for us like Exeter did a couple of years ago

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I think all this sounds like more hassle than it's worth, i'm just going to get a ticket in the home end and travel down by train, much easier hopefully if there are enough saints in the home end they'll just seperate an area off for us like Exeter did a couple of years ago

 

If you get spotted by the OB/Stewards you will probably end up with a ban or if spotted by the skates first you'll end up with a couple of digs and for sure a ban.

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Looks like the report has been pulled from the article that was on the Ugly Inside site on Monday

 

http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/fb_news.php?storyid=14097

 

Still there.

 

I think all this sounds like more hassle than it's worth, i'm just going to get a ticket in the home end and travel down by train, much easier hopefully if there are enough saints in the home end they'll just seperate an area off for us like Exeter did a couple of years ago

 

Good luck JRM but can't see it somehow, as sh*te as the blue-few's support is they'll have no trouble shifting their tickets for this one. Your best hope is to get a forgery but you might find yourself sat on the bell-ringing ****s lap and the sizeable number of 'Wagon' boys that tried it on in '84 got rumbled.

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"For the December game at Fratton with a kick off of 1pm, Saints fans would probably be needing to start leaving St Mary's on the first coach at around 10.30am, probably be needing to board at 10am to ensure that they arrive at Fratton in good time and can be escorted and enter the ground in good time, with catering facilities so sparse in the away end at Fratton and the fact that the coaches would probably not arrive back at St Mary's till around 4.30pm Saints fans could struggle to be able to buy food and drink for a period of around 6 - 7 hours."

 

Do they think our fans are too stupid to take food with them? Or would it be banned in case we lob rock hard pork pies?

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I think all this sounds like more hassle than it's worth, i'm just going to get a ticket in the home end and travel down by train, much easier hopefully if there are enough saints in the home end they'll just seperate an area off for us like Exeter did a couple of years ago

 

Good Luck with that one, can you really see our biggest rivals being as welcoming to away fans in the home end as Exeter?

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'kinnell, who's going to sit next to Doris?

 

If this bubble trip comes off it may be wise to have a good look around you while waiting for the coaches as whoever you end up sitting next to on the bus will also be getting their seat ticket next to you in the ground/dump as they dish them out on the way down.

 

I imagine you would get allocated a ticket and coach at the same time of booking.

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The words 'overkill' and 'knee-jerk' spring to mind. Not less the fact that such arrangements run totally against the Human Rights Act, in particular Articles 3, 5, 11 and 14.

 

Dissagree - it is my 'human right' to go to a football match without the threat of being beaten up or worse. If you think it is your 'human right' to be free to fight you are very mistaken. For history disctates that without these measures, law abiding peaceful fans will be unable to attend the match without considerable risk to life and limb. This NOT 'KNEE JERK' it's learning by years of experience, logical, sensible and looks after my 'human rights'!!!

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Here here.

 

History will tell you, a trip down there is no picnic----I've done it enough !

Dissagree - it is my 'human right' to go to a football match without the threat of being beaten up or worse. If you think it is your 'human right' to be free to fight you are very mistaken. For history disctates that without these measures, law abiding peaceful fans will be unable to attend the match without considerable risk to life and limb. This NOT 'KNEE JERK' it's learning by years of experience, logical, sensible and looks after my 'human rights'!!!
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Dissagree - it is my 'human right' to go to a football match without the threat of being beaten up or worse. If you think it is your 'human right' to be free to fight you are very mistaken. For history disctates that without these measures, law abiding peaceful fans will be unable to attend the match without considerable risk to life and limb. This NOT 'KNEE JERK' it's learning by years of experience, logical, sensible and looks after my 'human rights'!!!

 

there is nothing stopping you going on the bingo bus if you want to you mincer, that option will be available regardless, it is the objection of making everyone go that way that people don't like.

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Here here.

 

History will tell you, a trip down there is no picnic----I've done it enough !

 

well get the bingo bus then Isabel if you want to have a picnic, i'd rather dine in the restaurant car of the football special.

 

Like "The Cat"'s suggestion of going by boat, RedJet to Cowes, bus to Ryde and ferry into portsmouth that way. or even better hire a few yachts and sail from ocean village.

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It could be good. It will be much more expensive for those of us not living in Southampton (a bus from London would make sense) but on the other hand, it might put off all the burberry cap crew that hardly every go to away matches and are only going to cause trouble. This will free up a few extra tickets and maybe I will have a chance of going.

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You really have no idea.

Believe me, 95% of the officers working football are on normal duty days being selected from Public Order trained officers to do the Policing. My relative has already had his shift changed in December to accomodate the game much like the rest of the Constabulary on that day.... - it's called forward planning.

 

Hope this helps.

 

I can't see it happening, because the OB will want to go for overkill, so that they can all get overtime etc. This scheme would prevent the need for that.

 

However, the senior police officers might think its a good idea, because it will save them money.

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may work at Fratton with the law abiding Saints fans, but in the reverse fixture skates come by car and train not coach.Although short of shutting the Eastern Road in both directions when the coaches arrive and depart, something which was NOT done last time or likely now because the skates who have ventured off Portsea island to live will have to come in via M275 or Copnor Road.

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It could be good. It will be much more expensive for those of us not living in Southampton (a bus from London would make sense) but on the other hand, it might put off all the burberry cap crew that hardly every go to away matches and are only going to cause trouble. This will free up a few extra tickets and maybe I will have a chance of going.

 

Burberry cap crew? was the last game you went to in 2001?

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It could be good. It will be much more expensive for those of us not living in Southampton (a bus from London would make sense) but on the other hand, it might put off all the burberry cap crew that hardly every go to away matches and are only going to cause trouble. This will free up a few extra tickets and maybe I will have a chance of going.
Yes of course, all those Burberry Caps you see at the football in 2011. And all those Saints fans that do Skates away and don't care about the football :lol:
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If I have got this right, a Saints fan living in Portsmouth will have to...

 

- Leave Portsmouth early on Saturday, drive to Southampton and park

- Then get on a Saints fans coach to Portsmouth in order to get his ticket

- Watch the game

- Then leave Portsmouth on a coach back to Southampton

- Drive back from Southampton to Portsmouth

 

:D

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If I have got this right, a Saints fan living in Portsmouth will have to...

 

- Leave Portsmouth early on Saturday, drive to Southampton and park

- Then get on a Saints fans coach to Portsmouth in order to get his ticket

- Watch the game

- Then leave Portsmouth on a coach back to Southampton

- Drive back from Southampton to Portsmouth

 

:D

 

Yes, i seem to remember a Burnley fan who lived a 2 minutes walk from Ewood Park having to do the same.

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I'm just going for a ruck so no need for a ticket or coach,I'll go early,smash a few skates and get back home in time to watch it in the pub.......nawty.

If you lot wanna be pussy whipped into jumping on the tossers coach then good luck to you.

 

Lol thats the spirit Lordsy!,,,Oh! and Vaseline will be on sale on most HMP gates, There will be no real bovver at this game, Come and enjoy the friendly banter ;)

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