Hull fan drops case, but anti-police demo to still go ahead

In a statement, Cooper and his lawyer, Lochlinn Parker of Deighton Pierce Glynn, say they share the concern that the remaining conditions are not necessary and potentially unlawful. However, Cooper is unable to challenge them in court as they don’t impact him personally as the club have offered to make whatever arrangements necessary to ensure he can attend the game.

“I’m obviously disappointed that the action can’t go any further as I was doing this not just for myself but for all football fans. I like many others will be boycotting the game and making a peaceful protest on the day,” said Cooper.

Lochlinn Parker said: “Louis is rightfully disappointed at not being able to pursue this case against West Yorkshire Police.  This match, even at a 5.20pm kick off, does not warrant more than a minimal police presence.  Both sets of fans are amongst some of the best behaved in the Championship.

“West Yorkshire Police have accepted that if the match was played at 12.00pm they would not place any restrictions on the game but have failed to explain why the later kick off justifies the restriction on the movement of over a thousand people who will be attending what is a normal Saturday afternoon football match.  The issues that arise in this case are likely to be repeated in other circumstances and we hope to be able to assist fans in the future in ensuring that they can attend matches without being restricted by unnecessary police conditions.”

The major concerns for supporters arising from this case have yet to be resolved, including  the decision to categorise the match at the highest category (‘C + Increased Risk’); the lawful basis for exercising police powers in these circumstances; and the basis for considering that the restrictions placed on fans are necessary to reduce disorder.

Amanda Jacks of the Football Supporters Federation said: “We’d like to thank Louis for being prepared to bring this challenge on behalf of all fans and share his disappointment.  The Football Supporters’ Federation remain fundamentally opposed to any restriction on fans movement even if the inconvenience is deemed minimal. We would hope that in future such arrangements are not imposed on supporters and will remain alert to future opportunities to challenge them.”

Chris Smith, spokesman for the Hull City Official Supporters’ Club, said there would be a protest march to Huddersfield library. Police were not keen on a protest march to the stadium, “So we will be forming up outside Huddersfield train station at 1.45pm, moving off at 2pm and we expect to reach the library at 2.30pm.”

Outside Huddersfield Library, Louis Cooper, will address fans. Fans plan a “carnival atmosphere” carrying banners such as “I am a retired town clerk – not a football hooligan”.

Ironically, the cost of policing the demonstration could be greater than the cost of policing the football match.

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