Ipswich and Norwich fans before kick off
More police should have been deployed to Norwich City derby game at Portman Road
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
9:32 AM
An investigation into clashes between fans at last season’s derby between Ipswich Town and Norwich City has concluded that more police officers should have been deployed.
Suffolk police launched an internal inquiry into the trouble that flared between fans at the match on Portman Road on the evening of Maundy Thursday, April 21.
It followed complaints from Norwich City and Canaries fans which said the force had been “incompetent” in its policing of the Championship game.
In a statement following the publication of the report, Supt John Everett said: “The report’s main recommendation was that a larger number of specially-trained officers should be deployed for future, similar key fixtures in order to prevent congestion of the route to and from Portman Road as well as preventing public disorder.”
The report also said that derby matches should revert back to Sunday lunchtimes to avoid fans arriving early and drinking alcohol before the match.
On the night of the local derby, which Norwich won 5-1, fans clashed before kick-off. Police arrested 19 people and 13 others were removed from the ground.
Both football clubs and the police had wanted the match to take place on Good Friday but the police report said Ipswich Town could not afford the additional policing costs for a bank holiday.
Another recommendation has suggested designated pubs introduce a “dry hour” leading up to kick-off which would encourage fans to leave in plenty of time and avoid congestion near the ground.
Steve Pearce, Ipswich Town spokesman, said: “We have only recently gained sight of the full report but it contains some significant inaccuracies that we are already in the process of raising through the appropriate channels.
“These discrepancies include the decision-making process to play the game on the Thursday, as well as the claim that the club sold tickets for home areas to away fans as a result of a voucher scheme, which simply isn’t the case.
“A meeting with all parties is already planned for February when we will be seeking to iron out these inaccuracies. Until that time, the club will be making no further comment on this issue.”
Did you go to the match? Should more police have been deployed? Contact reporter Anthony Carroll on anthony.carroll@archant.co.uk
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16 comments
Also interesting is the news that Ipswich could not afford to pay the additional policing costs for a Bank Holiday. Funny how they could afford to sub Michael Chopra £250,000 to pay off his gambling debts! Anyway, the solution is in their own hands - control the hooligan element of their fans.
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The Crab
Thursday, December 15, 2011
If Ian B despises Football so much, what on earth is he doing taking part in discussions about the game. Why does he bother reading the articles, let alone writing - at great length, and with not much idea of either syntax or punctuation - a piece which is clearly meant as an advert for a local parks game. Hardly the same atmosphere as a Norwich - Ipswich game, or even - dare I say it - one between, say Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos.
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The Crab
Thursday, December 15, 2011
I have played and loved both football and rugby so I don't see one as better than the other, though I definitely got into a lot more "bovver" playing rugby.
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Swiss Canary
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Am I the only one who is a bit bored with the pseudo middle class pretence that somehow rugby is a superior game than football. When will the rugby fanaticists realise that we just don't care? You don't have to despise another sport in order to like your own one. So, IanB take your prejudices and stick them where your second row puts his thumb when you're in the scrum.
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DocOhNo
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Ian B obviously knows little about football, its recent history or current day trends. I am quite happy to take my young daughter to any match and the only time there have been any issues with visiting fans in recent years has been with Ipswich (obviously) and Leeds (still loony after alll these years). Norwich in particular is a very safe family environment and even trips nowadays to the likes of Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge are enjoyable days out (whatever the result!). Football, unlike Ian B's perception, has moved on.
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Lord Horn
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
I think the real point is that Ipswich's finest should have lined up with linked riot shields across the Binner's goal, then they might have avoided a rugby match score.
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Swiss Canary
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Great comment Ian B bet your kids enjoy seeing Rugby players puching and Biting close up! Our National team recently behaved like Drunken public school idiots and they werent a lot better on the pitch either!!
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dave123
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
we'll never play them again!lol.
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tonyb
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
PL Budgie: I think Ian B. was referring to rugby fans in general, not the current England Rugby team, who indeed have regrettably been behaving more like their soccer counterparts whilst in NZ.
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Dubai Canary
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Ian B: We should use the exemplary behaviour of the England rugby team this summer as a fine example for how us football fans should behave.
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Premier League Budgie
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The problem doesn't lie with the amount of police that should or shouldn't be there taking up valuable police time it's the so called supporters being thugs. You never get this in a game of Rugby no matter if it's a domestic game or a local derby match, where the team I support the players and fans are extremely passionate about the game and their team, and so is the other local team and you never get any violence between them, you get some heated banter between the fans but here is the main difference at half time your friend you stand near each other in the match and at the game you shake hands and talk about it and sometimes you go off for a beer together. A landlord of the local pub where we go before and after the matches told me he loves it when there is a rugby game on as the rugby fans drink more and nothing gets broken, but when there is a football match on half as much gets drunk and the place gets wrecked. I would never dream of taking myself and my kids to watch a football match and I would be constantly looking over my shoulder, but I would and have taken my kids and not worried and even got them joining in with the banter then after the match they got to meet the players from both teams who signed their match day books
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Ian B
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Unlike police claims, the 'traditional time for a football match is 3pm on a Saturday! For derby games this should be 3pm on Boxing Day & Easter Monday. Across the country, derby matches are played on Saturdays, or whenever, because the police are better prepared and flash-points are avoided. Why cannot Suffolk, or Norfolk police forces manage a simple football match? Does it take a genius to realise that trouble-makers will attempt to confront rival fans before a match? No. So why allow a sizeable group of idiots to congregate near the away fans' turnstiles? Just move the beggars on, for crying out loud! Rocket science? Not even close to a 'My First Chemistry Set' decision, in my book.
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Chris Riches
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Look at the photo. Ridiculous "Football Factory" wannabees. These boys don't know that they're born, they wouldn't have lasted 10 seconds on the terraces of old. Believe me, I'm not trying to romanticise those horrific days, I'll leave that to the irresponsible film makers who are breeding this new age of plastic fooligans.
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Valpy Word
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Lord Horn has it in a nutshell. But it`s a great shame that a few fools can make this sort of policing necessary in the first place. Never have that prob at the Opera, don`t you know! Imagine Rossini v Wagner at La Scala. A cordon of Morris-dancing Stewards separating the fans.....
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Mad Brewer
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The ugly side of the beautiful game rears it's head again.
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NigelS
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Can't see what the problem is. After all, unless we draw them in a Cup competition we aren't going to be playing our Blue brethren for some time!
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Lord Horn
Tuesday, December 13, 2011