By Andrew Warshaw
February 20 – In a landmark fan protest that could have significant long-term consequences, supporters of two English clubs have joined forces to condemn what they claim are unlawful ticket and travel restrictions.
High-flying Championship club Hull City visit Huddersfield Town for a March 30 televised derby but have been told that, for safety and security reasons, they can only travel to the match on official club coaches and be allocated 1,500 tickets – distributed by the club – rather than the normally permitted 4,000 for the away side at Huddersfield’s ground. No other Hull supporters will be admitted.
“We at HCSC feel that these draconian measures are totally unnecessary and only go to further punish the football supporters of our club. We have many supporters in the West Yorkshire area and to ask them to travel back to Hull to collect a ticket is utterly preposterous.”
The police-instigated move is also damaging for Huddersfield who will lose significant income. In the joint statement Stephen King, chairman of the Huddersfield Town Supporters’ Association, said: “HTSA is strongly opposed to away ticket sales being restricted to 1,500 tickets. Huddersfield Town FC is losing vital ticket revenue for this eagerly anticipated Yorkshire derby.”
Hull’s fanzine Amber Nectar went even further by suggesting the fans boycott the game altogether. “If West Yorkshire Police will not see sense, we urge the Club to take a stand on our behalf, and refuse to accept an allocation of tickets under these conditions,” it said.
Andy Dalton, editor of the fanzine, has missed just two away games in 13 years. “It is up to every individual, but I won’t be going to Huddersfield with these restrictions in place. It is the principle,” he said.
“What sort of message does it send out about West Yorkshire Police’s view of us? City fans have behaved impeccably this season, yet West Yorkshire Police appear to regard us as nothing but potential hooligans, fit only to have our numbers and movements heavily restricted.”
Neighbouring South Yorkshire police were heavily criticised for their role in the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster in which 96 fans died. With the Huddersfield-Hull game kicking off at 5.30pm, West Yorkshire police said they were taking their stance to avoid trouble from all-day drinking.
Supt Ged McManus, from West Yorkshire Police, said the rules were necessary due to the late kick-off. “We have asked for these restrictions to enable us to control the amount of fans attending the match and reduce the level of alcohol consumption, therefore decreasing any risk to the wider public in Huddersfield and reducing the cost of policing such a match for West Yorkshire residents,” he said.
“I understand that these measures will not be to everyone’s liking but they are a result of consultation between ourselves, both football clubs and the Football League.”
But the Football Supporters’ Federation has also described the move as draconian and suggested legal action could be taken.
Spokeswoman Amanda Jacks said: “Last season not one single Hull supporter got arrested for an alcohol-related offence. We very much hope that this can be resolved by dialogue and compromise but if it can’t be then we have already spoken to solicitors and we will be exploring potential legal action which will hopefully force West Yorkshire Police to overturn this appallingly draconian decision.”
“The amount of emails from Hull City fans has been unprecedented – it is the most we have ever received. The emails are from ordinary, decent, law-abiding families. Legal action is a serious step and is a last resort. I hope we can come up with an amicable resolution.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734849285labto1734849285ofdlr1734849285owedi1734849285sni@w1734849285ahsra1734849285w.wer1734849285dna1734849285