By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – A landmark fan protest over what have been described as draconian ticket and travel restrictions is being stepped up amid a legal storm and a promise by police chiefs to discuss the issue further.
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.
Now, following widespread criticism and after being inundated with complaints, the region’s Police Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson has agreed to discuss the matter with his senior staff but insists it will come down to an operational matter.
“The problem has arisen because Sky has requested a change of kick-off time so that the game can be broadcast live much later in the day on March 30,” he said.
“This clearly has implications for policing and to make sure the match can be safely policed I understand a number of conditions have been put in place. However, I have listened to the concerns raised by Hull City supporters. I will now also be speaking to the chief constable to see if any of the specific concerns raised can be accommodated without compromising the safety of people across Huddersfield and West Yorkshire”.
One crusading Hull fan has been explaining his decision to launch legal action against West Yorkshire Police over the row.
Louis Cooper, 15, lives in Manchester and travels to every Hull game, home and away. He will have to make a 350-mile round trip to the game when the Huddersfield ground is just 30 miles away from his house and has instructed solicitors to challenge the restrictions.
“How is it that I am treated like a criminal and have to accept these ridiculous restrictions?” he said. “I have travelled to Beijing to watch Hull City and have done so without restrictions.”
The match was originally set for lunchtime but kick-off was switched to 5.20pm when the game was selected by Sky for live coverage.
West Yorkshire Police originally refused permission for the game to be held at the later time due to cost of policing and concerns at the prospect of away fans drinking in Huddersfield before the match starts.
They only changed their minds when the ticket and travel crackdown was imposed but Cooper said: “The police have made it impossible for a lot of fans to go to the game. This will be the first away game I will miss this season.”
Disabled fans are being hit hardest and Amanda Jacks, director of case work for the Football Supporters Federation warned: “If the police don’t back down, there will be legal action in the near future. We have a client entitled to legal aid and a solicitor who thinks on this occasion fans have a right.
“It is not a human rights challenge, but (about) whether the police action is proportionate. The legal action will start in the near future, should West Yorkshire Police not change its mind.”
Huddersfield, like all clubs, face potential punishment if they refuse to abide by Football League contractual rules over Sky coverage. Chief executive Nigel Clibbens said: “If we couldn’t fulfil this, we could be subject to sanctions – including a possible points deduction. The Football League approached us in January to inform us our game against Hull was selected for live Sky TV coverage.”
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