Worrying

[Son]

FURY OVER REDS’ DERBY TIME SWITCH

Fans hit out as safety fears lead to noon kick off
By CAROLINE JONES and DAN SHIRES - Evening leader

Wrexham football fans have voiced their outrage and disbelief over plans
to hold a crucial match against rivals Chester at midday on the
first working day after Christmas.
Plans have been put in place to hold the match at noon on Wednesday,
December 28, at the Saunders Honda Stadium, Deva Way, much to the
dismay of supporters.
The game has traditionally been held at times to suit policing
arrangements and to make fixtures safer.
The decision to switch the kick-off time to a normal working day was
taken by police and the safety advisory group before being
sanctioned by the Football league.
Lifetime supporter Richard Jones said:” I can’t believe the Football
league would even consider this a suitable time.
“I know for a fact that I will be working on that day and there is
no way I will be able to go and I am really annoyed because of our
local rivalry and it’s always an important fixture to attend.
“I try to go to every match I possibly can and I can see a lot of
people are going to be annoyed by this.
“I will be contacting the Football League to tell them exactly what
I think.”
Wrexham Supporters trust representative Bruce Clapton added:” The
supporters are not happy at all because the game has been scheduled
for noon on the first working day after Christmas, so it will have
an effect on the gate at one of the most important games of the
season from Wrexham and Chester’s point of view.
“It’s also a dangerous precedent to set because I’m sure a number of
fans will be wanting to have a drink before kick-off, and if there
are any who want to cause trouble following the result whichever way
it may go then they’ll be released into a city full of people
because I’m told it will also be one of the busiest shopping days of
the year.”
Fans of the rival clubs seem united in their reaction to the
decision.
Blues supporter Jeff Banks, of Saltney, said:” It is disgusting.
“Some season ticket holders are not going to be able to get time off
work.
“It is going to make the traffic horrendous at that time and
shoppers at nearby retail parks will be shopping in fear when loads
of fans come out at 2pm.”
Chester Police spokesman Jon Ratcliffe said the decision was based
on advice from the safety panel group made up of Chester County
council trading standards, fire service, ambulance police and the
club.
He said:” They waited until this late to give their advice because
both Wrexham and Chester were still in the FA Cup but if they had
been knocked out there would have been a free weekend.
“The Football League has not come up with other options.
“This was the only viable date so in view of the fact there is a
history of disorder at the game especially at night and also the
fact it is during a time when many take an extended holiday the
safety panel thought it would be best to advise a daytime kick-off.”




Its a bit worrying that if this goes ahead will it make it the norm for future games where trouble is to be expected to be played on week days?

[foxy11]

that is shocking.... they CAN NOT do this... carry on and football will be no more