How was the 'Bubble'?

[Graffito]

Aside from issues of civil liberties and infringement of individual rights (I personally think that a legally aided challenge would be succussful),

I would question whose interests the bubble is intended to serve. I, like the majority of supporters on both sides, have attended several derbies home and away without any problems whatsoever. Is the bubble really about crowd safety or is it more about crowd control i.e. easier for the police?

[fanimal]

The best bit is we now know the route their cortege will take in April, and the way in from Bursledon is alot longer than Eastern Avenue. So the troops can gather and give them an even more hostile reception than we got from the inbreds on that grotty bit near the ground. Pinch point is the Northam bridge, could launch multiple Scud missiles from the old Meridian site, how apt would that be?? (Ha ha, all ironic by the way mods)

[100%Red&White]

The best bit is we now know the route their cortege will take in April, and the way in from Bursledon is alot longer than Eastern Avenue. So the troops can gather and give them an even more hostile reception than we got from the inbreds on that grotty bit near the ground. Pinch point is the Northam bridge, could launch multiple Scud missiles from the old Meridian site, how apt would that be?? (Ha ha, all ironic by the way mods)

 

They may pull a fast one and turn left by Tescos and bring the 15 or so minibuses in through Woolston and over the Itchen Bridge. Hope they bring the right money for the toll.

[The9]

Aside from issues of civil liberties and infringement of individual rights (I personally think that a legally aided challenge would be succussful),

I would question whose interests the bubble is intended to serve. I, like the majority of supporters on both sides, have attended several derbies home and away without any problems whatsoever. Is the bubble really about crowd safety or is it more about crowd control i.e. easier for the police?

 

The latter, which is of course completely justifiable, especially with limitations on public service spending. If they'd forced us into doing it and then executed it terribly, you'd have a point. But the effiiciency and competence of the whole bus convoy system really overrides the inconvenience for me. The only real issue for me was the garbage way the club handled the ballot, distribution of tickets and the cost of the bus. More than happy to go along with that for any subsequent Skate away matches to be honest.

 

Charge me £5 and send my ticket out and I really don't have a problem with it, the atmosphere was still there in the ground (except when those bloody drummers were banging away).

[The9]

The best bit is we now know the route their cortege will take in April, and the way in from Bursledon is alot longer than Eastern Avenue. So the troops can gather and give them an even more hostile reception than we got from the inbreds on that grotty bit near the ground. Pinch point is the Northam bridge, could launch multiple Scud missiles from the old Meridian site, how apt would that be?? (Ha ha, all ironic by the way mods)

 

I suspect that like the vast majority of the Skates, we utterly won't be ar5ed to go out and stare at a load of buses arriving. With the exception of the people stuck at the junctions due to road closures, you'd have to be some kind of mental to want to anyway.

[Turkish]

I suspect that like the vast majority of the Skates, we utterly won't be ar5ed to go out and stare at a load of buses arriving. With the exception of the people stuck at the junctions due to road closures, you'd have to be some kind of mental to want to anyway.

 

Loads of buses? Are you sure? More like a couple of taxis.

[The9]

Loads of buses? Are you sure? More like a couple of taxis.

 

They've managed 3000 before, but fair point that they might not be so keen to watch an inevitable beating this time.

[Sour Mash]

Anyone watched the videa of the bubble trip on Saints Player? Cracking bit of film making.

[The Cat]

Anyone watched the videa of the bubble trip on Saints Player? Cracking bit of film making.

 

The juxtaposition between the fans on packed buses from St Mary's all singing against those from Winchester on empty buses sat around reading the paper was quite funny.

 

Wonder what the BBC camera's were doing on the buses though? Possible feature on Inside Out or something?

[Sour Mash]

The juxtaposition between the fans on packed buses from St Mary's all singing against those from Winchester on empty buses sat around reading the paper was quite funny.

 

Wonder what the BBC camera's were doing on the buses though? Possible feature on Inside Out or something?

I also really enjoyed the cr@ppy little jingle throughout.

[View From The Top]

The juxtaposition between the fans on packed buses from St Mary's all singing against those from Winchester on empty buses sat around reading the paper was quite funny.

 

Wonder what the BBC camera's were doing on the buses though? Possible feature on Inside Out or something?

 

I was on bus 2 from Winchester and we were singing!

 

There was an "overflow" bus which was only 1/2 full.

[1976_Child]

I have to admit that the bubble was actually very agreeable.

 

We had good banter, and wizzed through the red lights there and back. To be honest, I hope they keep it. I can't remember such an easy and safe away day.

[Sour Mash]

I have to admit that the bubble was actually very agreeable.

 

We had good banter, and wizzed through the red lights there and back. To be honest, I hope they keep it. I can't remember such an easy and safe away day.

Why? No one has stopped you going by the bingo bus in the past?

[Sour Mash]

I was on bus 2 from Winchester and we were singing!

 

There was an "overflow" bus which was only 1/2 full.

Having watched the video on Saints Player, I'd have rather have been on the half empty one with everyone just reading their papers.

[1976_Child]

Why? No one has stopped you going by the bingo bus in the past?

 

The bingo bus didn't have police protection etc.

 

I went to watch a game of footie, not be pestered by dna-challenged morons. The organisation was spot on and it was fun to all meet up at SMS and roll out together. A bit like an invading army.

 

And if I were a small shop keeper in Southampton around SMS then I would be very thankful to the bubble when the blue few come to us.

[Chez]

The bingo bus didn't have police protection etc.

 

Wrong. They had outriders, closed junctions and fast track/safe passage through Southsea and Old Portsmouth in 2004 and down Eastern Road in 2005.

[hypochondriac]

Meh. I had a good time. Was in and out quickly, enjoyed some banter with the away fans, swapped abuse, enjoyed the atmosphere and the bit near the stairs where the pileup happened for the goals was really loud.

 

I don't really care about the atmosphere of the 80s, in isolation it was a good/nervy experience.

[Sour Mash]

The bingo bus didn't have police protection etc.

 

I went to watch a game of footie, not be pestered by dna-challenged morons. The organisation was spot on and it was fun to all meet up at SMS and roll out together. A bit like an invading army.

 

And if I were a small shop keeper in Southampton around SMS then I would be very thankful to the bubble when the blue few come to us.

Bingo bus did have protection of course it did, the coaches never had problems going down there in the past did they? Previous years down there we've had plenty of fans make their own way without any problems, it'd only be hassle if you chose to go in the big group on the train. Who is suggesting stopping you just going to watch a game of football? That's what everyone was doing. Otherwise, what a spot on post.

[Sour Mash]

Wrong. They had outriders, closed junctions and fast track/safe passage through Southsea and Old Portsmouth in 2004 and down Eastern Road in 2005.

He's clueless and bluffing as always.

[Chez]

and it was fun to all meet up at SMS and roll out together.

if you say so, but it was **** having to make a special trip to collect an overpriced ticket for a bus I didn't want. **** to then make a special trip into Southampton to catch the bus I didn't want, and **** making the trip back from Southampton after catching the bus I didn't want. It added time and cost. Nothing fun about that.

[Chez]

And if I were a small shop keeper in Southampton around SMS then I would be very thankful to the bubble when the blue few come to us.

why? Was there a noticeable drop off in sales on their last three visits? Somehow I doubt it, but funnily enough Portsmouth local businesses were moaning about the effect of shutting the Eastern road for the bubble forcing extra traffic onto the M275, thereby putting off potential shoppers.

[1976_Child]

Bubble was fine.

 

I liked it.

 

If others didn't, then fine. I thought it would be a bore, but actually after the final whistle I was extremely glad to be back in Southampton by 4pm.

[Whitey Grandad]

Bubble was fine.

 

I liked it.

 

If others didn't, then fine. I thought it would be a bore, but actually after the final whistle I was extremely glad to be back in Southampton by 4pm.

 

And if you lived in Chichester, for example, would you still have been pleased to be in Southampton?

[The9]

why? Was there a noticeable drop off in sales on their last three visits? Somehow I doubt it, but funnily enough Portsmouth local businesses were moaning about the effect of shutting the Eastern road for the bubble forcing extra traffic onto the M275, thereby putting off potential shoppers.

 

I didn't see a shop on the entire bus route from the point we crossed the bridge into Portsmouth, so I'm not sure who the "local businesses" who were complaining were.

[Chez]

I didn't see a shop on the entire bus route from the point we crossed the bridge into Portsmouth, so I'm not sure who the "local businesses" who were complaining were.

the point being that by closing the Eastern Road the football traffic would all have to go the M275 way, which is a nightmare on match day anyway, but if it is the only route into the city then its going to be chocca, ergo shoppers give Pompey a wide berth.

[The9]

the point being that by closing the Eastern Road the football traffic would all have to go the M275 way, which is a nightmare on match day anyway, but if it is the only route into the city then its going to be chocca, ergo shoppers give Pompey a wide berth.

 

But they didn't completely close the road, they just stopped people using it for a few minutes before and after the match when the buses were on their way.

[Graffito]

The latter, which is of course completely justifiable, especially with limitations on public service spending. If they'd forced us into doing it and then executed it terribly, you'd have a point. But the effiiciency and competence of the whole bus convoy system really overrides the inconvenience for me. The only real issue for me was the garbage way the club handled the ballot, distribution of tickets and the cost of the bus. More than happy to go along with that for any subsequent Skate away matches to be honest.

 

Charge me £5 and send my ticket out and I really don't have a problem with it, the atmosphere was still there in the ground (except when those bloody drummers were banging away).

 

You're saying public spending cuts justified the bubble? How is the efficiency of the operation relevant to anything I said?

[Graffito]

It's nothing to do with human rights etc etc as you had the option not to go. You were not forced into it. Even with the bubble we still sold out so those who choose not to go because of this will not affect the club.

 

Crowd safety and Crowd control are the same thing. Crowd control creates safety.

 

I have the option not to go to any football match. What does that prove? I think you're missing the point. By the way I didn't have the option not to go to this one. I was excluded from applying due to the way in which tickets were allocated.

Crowd control is not the same as crowd safety. They are linked but they are not the same.

[adrian lord]

It was more about easy, lucrative police overtime than anything else.

[saint.tom.clancy]

Fair enough anyone happy to go on the bus, that should be and always has been a safe option. Personally, i'd much rather have too many beers on the train and run the gauntlet - and i'm sure i'm not on my own. To me this one really didn't feel like a derby as much as the previous few.

[Macey_J2]

Fair enough anyone happy to go on the bus, that should be and always has been a safe option. Personally, i'd much rather have too many beers on the train and run the gauntlet - and i'm sure i'm not on my own. To me this one really didn't feel like a derby as much as the previous few.

 

 

Exactly. Their empty threats of no alcohol on the buses wasn't regulated, we were told to get back to the bus asap or they'd leave us there... yeah right, there was no such worry.

 

We had about 6 guys on our bus ****ing in bottles and pouring in out the windows which killed any decent atmosphere.

 

It didn't have the real derby atmosphere or feeling.

 

Feeling 100% safe isn't what i wanted or expected, and now it seems that all future trips to pompey will be an anesthetised, sterile experience as this was.

 

Having never been to fratton before, i've now missed out on the real experience for ever. If anything, the compulsory 30mph bus trip to and from fratton made the fact that we drew with that ****e even worse.

[Um Bongo]

It was more about easy, lucrative police overtime than anything else.

 

The officers working were not on overtime.

[Sour Mash]

The officers working were not on overtime.

So what are all those police officers normally policing on a Sunday lunch-time?

[Um Bongo]

So what are all those police officers normally policing on a Sunday lunch-time?

 

They simply would have had their duties re-arranged. Most probably were not due to work - simply had their day off allocated to another day. If anyone thinks there was 200 officers on overtime, you are mistaken!

[1976_Child]

And if you lived in Chichester, for example, would you still have been pleased to be in Southampton?

 

I live in Hove. Got up Sunday morning nice and early (6 am), engineering works on the line so went to Fratton. Waited at Fratton (no colours, obviously) for 35 minutes. Got to witness hordes of blue shirts swirling around me. (I even asked them who they were playing and were they confident). Got to Soton, Got to SMS, Got on Bubble Bus, Got to Fratton, Watched Game, Got back on Bubble Bus, Got to SMS, Got to Central Station, Got to Fratton, Waited 25 minutes (more blue few, asked them the result and were they happy etc. Bit of tease...), Got on train to Hove. Got home.

 

And yes, I still liked the Michael Buble Bus.

 

(Chicester would have shaved an hour each way off my journey!)

[Sour Mash]

They simply would have had their duties re-arranged. Most probably were not due to work - simply had their day off allocated to another day. If anyone thinks there was 200 officers on overtime, you are mistaken!

So what would these '200 officers' have been doing on this other day that they're now being given off?

[sotonjoe]

Well, purely from my own point of view I thoroughly enjoyed the day and the bubble didn't do much to dampen my enjoyment.

 

Before it was announced, I was giving the bingo bus serious consideration anyway. Whilst most of my away trips this season have been done on the train and included a few beers, there were issues with the train this time round which were putting me off. I was pretty convinced that whatever train I got was going to be completely rammed. Usually I'd just get an earlier train and spend more time in the pub, but I couldn't see myself going into any pubs in Pompey. Getting the train would also mean a frustrating walk to the ground, kettled by police, having stuff thrown at me and standing a poor chance of making kickoff.

 

So in practical terms, I didn't have that much to worry about when the whole bubble thing was announced. My main concerns beforehand were to do with how well it would be organised and to what extent I would end up waiting around in a great big herd of people. In reality it was smooth and swift. Everybody got on the buses in plenty of time and we were underway by five past eleven. Skipping the traffic lights etc meant we got there quickly. When we got dropped off at Fratton we initially had no idea where to go, but a brief pause and a bit of common sense meant we just follow everyone else! Signage at the stadium was appalling so we had no idea if we could use the turnstile we were or not, but we just got on with it and it was fine. Because we'd arrived early there was no queue for the toilets. My mate even had a cheeseburger and thoughts they were alright.

 

Things were just as smooth going back, even though the bubble literally burst! There was no significant police escort once we'd left Pompey. Buses started overtaking each other and we had to wait at junctions and traffic lights.

 

We got round the lack of booze by going to the pub straight after, then on to a curry house then on to a few more pubs. So we still had the usually beers on the day out just at a different time. That said, I did take a hip flask on the bus and in the ground and I wasn't searched at all. The steward on the bus said "You haven't got any booze have you?" and that was it. I even managed to take in a 2.5 squash bottle filled with water (because I am a 'big girl' / had a hangover from the night before) complete with bottle top! It's not surprising that people git flares in and miniature bottles of spirits etc.