Help needed

[robins72]

Just would like peoples thoughts on what happened tonight after the game. Innocent people being sprayed by cs gas is not my wa of enjoying at night at the football. I am gracious in defeat but cannot understand why a police officer would let off cs gas when it wasnt necessary. don't they realise there were young children at the front of the stands? The stewarding was a joke too with the chavs running over goading us. Just interesting in what others went through as I'm going to report this to the post and see if they can press a story on it. Spoilt the game for me. Police were far too slow dealing with the idiots on the field and knew what was going to happen at the final whistle.

[City_pete1]

Just would like peoples thoughts on what happened tonight after the game. Innocent people being sprayed by cs gas is not my wa of enjoying at night at the football. I am gracious in defeat but cannot understand why a police officer would let off cs gas when it wasnt necessary. don't they realise there were young children at the front of the stands? The stewarding was a joke too with the chavs running over goading us. Just interesting in what others went through as I'm going to report this to the post and see if they can press a story on it. Spoilt the game for me. Police were far too slow dealing with the idiots on the field and knew what was going to happen at the final whistle.

I was in terrace. They let the spray go as 1 city fan (must been 16) was kicking a sponsors board in, they warned him and he continued... so they let the spray on him and EVERONE else. Poor girls and kids running past me. I was at back of that part of the terrace, and it got down my throat! Why they let the rovers taunt us on the pitch was disgusting. Not happy. terrible policing.

[Guest tux1982]

as you said children got sprayed with cs gas and the police were a joke.

[robins72]

I was in terrace. They let the spray go as 1 city fan (must been 16) was kicking a sponsors board in, they warned him and he continued... so they let the spray on him and EVERONE else. Poor girls and kids running past me. I was at back of that part of the terrace, and it got down my throat! Why they let the rovers taunt us on the pitch was disgusting. Not happy. terrible policing.

exactly there was no need for it at all. Treated badly and the stewarding was poor too. They just let the kids carry on running over and didnt even try to arrest them then they got the police horses on. By then it was too late as the policeman had sprayed the gas. The steward number 103 didnt help himself eith inciting the city fans.

[kit]

exactly there was no need for it at all. Treated badly and the stewarding was poor too. They just let the kids carry on running over and didnt even try to arrest them then they got the police horses on. By then it was too late as the policeman had sprayed the gas. The steward number 103 didnt help himself eith inciting the city fans.

The police gaveplenty of warning that he was going to spray and was saying to stop and so he sprayed. I think people are blaming the police for doing a thankless task, and actually preventing fans from confronting one another, and not actually focusing on the peple who were trying to aggrivate the situation further.

[Guest EXETER RED]

I to was caught by the cs gas, and people around me. The police had instructions not to use cs gas unless a major civil incident was in progress. i was informed of this by a sargent outside the ground when i informed him of the incident which had occured. He told me that if that was true and an officer had used the gas then a complaint was in order. I will be making a complaint today, one on the fact that it was used and also the way it was being used. The police seemed to be doing pretty well with their battons up to that point from what i could observe.

[Bristol Boy]

I've touched on a shameful incident in the seated area in the review which, hopefully, will be on the ST website soon.

Rovers should be charged with failing to control their crowd as the invasion was not good natured and could have proved highly inflamatory.

The Police heavy handedness over the two games was somethng that I found most disappointing.

[Bristol Boy]

The police gaveplenty of warning that he was going to spray and was saying to stop and so he sprayed. I think people are blaming the police for doing a thankless task, and actually preventing fans from confronting one another, and not actually focusing on the peple who were trying to aggrivate the situation further.

However if you let a few hundred chavs run on the field in the first place it doesn't help, does it?

[Guest Gotta get rid of the Gas]

i think i have video of the police man who let the gas off

i will upload it from my phone and have a look later

[Andy082005]

The police gaveplenty of warning that he was going to spray and was saying to stop and so he sprayed. I think people are blaming the police for doing a thankless task, and actually preventing fans from confronting one another, and not actually focusing on the peple who were trying to aggrivate the situation further.

I spoke to my mate who is a copper and explained the situation, how innocent people were caught up in this, and he said they should NOT have used CS Gas.

It was one or two burberry clad freaks......the Old Bill are given proper training, decent padded clothingsand batons.....use them!!! drag the idiot out and arrest him! Its simple! How can you justify using CS gas on a crowd of people

Disgusting

[Dollymarie]

I have video footage its not brilliant, but it does show the police hitting someone down behind the goal. Plus it shows all the rovers lot running at us.

[Andy082005]

I have video footage its not brilliant, but it does show the police hitting someone down behind the goal. Plus it shows all the rovers lot running at us.

The problem is, nothing will ever get done about it Dolly. It was a shambles, Ive never known such over the top policing at a game.....the heavy handed tactics made people more angry then the result itself.

Can you remember a few years ago when Cardiff beat Leeds in the Cup and they done the same thing, invaded the pitch and goaded the Leeds lot....I think they got slapped with a massive fine for that, so what will happen to the Rovers?

Nothing I expect. Family club remember

[bransonmo]

A once every decade event, let it go........just let it go. I like GJ's comment [ 5 times ], we need to move on.

[Andy082005]

A once every decade event, let it go........just let it go. I like GJ's comment [ 5 times ], we need to move on.

Try telling that to the poor kid (no older then 15) who got pushed to the ground then trampled on outside the ground and was crying his eyes out as it mashed his knee up

Try telling that to the two women I seen coming out with sore eyes after being caught up in the incident with pepper spray incident

[TETBURY MASSIVE]

The officer that every1 was having a go at for using the pepper spray was number 1075.

don't no if thats any help to anyone.

[robins72]

Football is getting worse not better. Its the only sport where home and away supporters cant sit next to one another. Its the only sport where theres so many police officers and stewards trying to control a game. We don't want to bring the troubles that were in Italy to this country with riots etc. THe police didnt help this matter last night. ANother question is how some city fans were allowed out the south stand but the rest of us were penned in? I didnt mind being held back but another example of what a shambles it was last night.

[Maesknoll Red]

Football is getting worse not better. Its the only sport where home and away supporters cant sit next to one another. Its the only sport where theres so many police officers and stewards trying to control a game. We don't want to bring the troubles that were in Italy to this country with riots etc. THe police didnt help this matter last night. ANother question is how some city fans were allowed out the south stand but the rest of us were penned in? I didnt mind being held back but another example of what a shambles it was last night.

We weren't let out, but after many of us were caught up in a crush at the front of the stand, some fans broke open the LOCKED emergency exit, thats how we got out.

[robins72]

We weren't let out, but after many of us were caught up in a crush at the front of the stand, some fans broke open the LOCKED emergency exit, thats how we got out.

Fair play didnt realise how city fans got out when we were blocked in. How can they lock an emergency exit then? More questions that need answering.

[RedM]

We weren't let out, but after many of us were caught up in a crush at the front of the stand, some fans broke open the LOCKED emergency exit, thats how we got out.

I would have thought that was a clear breach of safety regulations and that needs reporting.

I know derby matches are passionate and important, to the fans at least, but it's still hard to believe that although we can live and work, go to school etc side by side with the Sags (and them with us) that we can't watch a match together without trouble. And sadly I think that it will never change. The Fans Derby game has done a lot to build good relations but there are still too many people (not fans) that just latch on to both clubs to cause trouble.

Also, I honestly don't know if the heavy handedness of the police on occasions like this make things worse not better.

[Portishead Red]

The police gaveplenty of warning that he was going to spray and was saying to stop and so he sprayed. I think people are blaming the police for doing a thankless task, and actually preventing fans from confronting one another, and not actually focusing on the peple who were trying to aggrivate the situation further.

Wake up man! What planet do you live on? The police were thugs. My dad is a retired policeman and he was ashamed of the robocops attitudes last night. Totally over the top. I was at the front of the terrace shouting at the city players and got a wrap across my knuckles by the fuc*ing trucheon. Why? I wasnt goading rovers fans, i was boll*cking that shambles of a performance. After smacking me, that then kicked it off with sponsorboards being kicked in. I had a father and his 10 yr old son next to me, hardly holigans.

Police were a discrace and i will be writing a serious complaint with badge numbers and photos.

[Guest Cider_Army]

Small point I know, but because of the gas chavs on the pitch last night the UWE vs Bristol Uni varsity rugby match has had to be postponed from tonight. I know in the grand scheme of things (cs gas, beatings etc) it doesn't seem important but surely better policing could have stopped the pitch invasion

[RedTop]

We weren't let out, but after many of us were caught up in a crush at the front of the stand, some fans broke open the LOCKED emergency exit, thats how we got out.

If that is true, MR, then that is appalling given what happened at Hillsborough. To think you should have to break open a locked emergency exit to get out is shocking, really. What is really scary is that this is a match with a relatively small crowd and given how it was handled, what confidence can we have in policing (or the behaviour of some of our fans) if we DO get promotion and they have to handle large gates and larger away crowds every other week. As I said in another thread, rather than simply producing a whitewash and insisting they dealt with the situation well - which any of us there who saw it with our own eyes know damn well they did not - the police must concede they made potentially dangerous mistakes and carry out a review to improve their policing.

Incidentally, I hope any City and Rovers 'fans' caught fighting etc at the game or outside have the book thrown at them too. If it were not for them there would be no need for a police presence like this at all.

[Guest Bristolface]

Just would like peoples thoughts on what happened tonight after the game. Innocent people being sprayed by cs gas is not my wa of enjoying at night at the football. I am gracious in defeat but cannot understand why a police officer would let off cs gas when it wasnt necessary. don't they realise there were young children at the front of the stands? The stewarding was a joke too with the chavs running over goading us. Just interesting in what others went through as I'm going to report this to the post and see if they can press a story on it. Spoilt the game for me. Police were far too slow dealing with the idiots on the field and knew what was going to happen at the final whistle.

Did any one get the number of the policeman spaying us last night. I was other side from exit onto pitch well away from where the boarding's were being kicked off, had been down the front all game so couldn't move away when he started spraying I had my arms in the air and said I cant move I'm not causing trouble and still got some of the spray in my face, I then took some pics on my phone but he moved all the time and don't have his number, just the number of the officer next to him. Though also got pic of the steward who seemed to think what a nice night it was as we were sprayed.

[Barry]

We weren't let out, but after many of us were caught up in a crush at the front of the stand, some fans broke open the LOCKED emergency exit, thats how we got out.

thats shocking that emergency exits are locked......thats why people died at hillsborough so how any club, and i'm not just saying this as its rovers, is allowed to get away with locking emergency exits is disgusting and is only ever going to make the situation much worse. i am very disappointed after hearing these reports of the stewarding and policing.

i wasn't there myself, but were the emergency exits manned?

[Maesknoll Red]

thats shocking that emergency exits are locked......thats why people died at hillsborough so how any club, and i'm not just saying this as its rovers, is allowed to get away with locking emergency exits is disgusting and is only ever going to make the situation much worse. i am very disappointed after hearing these reports of the stewarding and policing.

i wasn't there myself, but were the emergency exits manned?

No one in sight, no one came when the gates were being broken open, the back of the stand was totally devoid of stewards or police. If there was a steward supposed to manning the gates with a key to the padlock, he wasn't there when it mattered.

[Guest Cider_Army]

Did any one get the number of the policeman spaying us last night.

You were SPAYED as well as gassed and having to see City lose to the gas. Dear me, I didn't think Policeman were allowed to perform procedures like that

:noexpression:

[kit]

Wake up man! What planet do you live on? The police were thugs. My dad is a retired policeman and he was ashamed of the robocops attitudes last night. Totally over the top. I was at the front of the terrace shouting at the city players and got a wrap across my knuckles by the fuc*ing trucheon. Why? I wasnt goading rovers fans, i was boll*cking that shambles of a performance. After smacking me, that then kicked it off with sponsorboards being kicked in. I had a father and his 10 yr old son next to me, hardly holigans.

Police were a discrace and i will be writing a serious complaint with badge numbers and photos.

All I could see was a lot of people acting very aggressively at the front of the stand. If the police weren't there then I am sure there would have been a number of people trying to get onto the pitch from our stand, as people had done from behind the goal.

If city fans were acting calmly and not aggresively then there would have been no need for the police to be using the spray and truncheons. When the police sprayed the spray it wasn't altogether that surprising.

Like it or not if the Police do not take the initiative to get on top of the situation then far worse scenes will happen, as happens in Italy where hooligans have very much a free reign. If the Police had been battoning the Rovers fans and spraying them with C/S spray then they probably would not have run onto the pitch. It is far easier to contain City in their small area than it is to contain the whole of the Rovers stands without having a Police bill of probably double. The City and Rovers fans were kept apart, but it took a hell of a lot of work from the Stewards and Police to do so.

All of the incidents that happened last night fully warrant why there is a need for Police at high profile games. The actions of a sizeable number of City fans included. Until things like that don't happen there is every need for the police to have as much of a presence at games.

Some people need a reality check because there was very nearly a lot of trouble at last nights game, and without the police there it would have been one hell of a lot worse. In this day and age the Police are under far too much pressure, they are unable to do their job properly because there is the constant threat the some people will call foul and try to start litigating and the like. Nobody got seriously injured last night where if the Hooligans had got their own way people easily could have been.

[Guest Bristolface]

You were SPAYED as well as gassed and having to see City lose to the gas. Dear me, I didn't think Policeman were allowed to perform procedures like that

:noexpression:

Ha ha ha I have lost the R and T button's on my laptop so have 2 push very hard to get them to work, and miss them out of words sometimes if I don't check ha ha ha. though Spaying rovers fan's and the police last night would at least stop the scum breeding.

[Guest Red Wardy]

All I could see was a lot of people acting very aggressively at the front of the stand. If the police weren't there then I am sure there would have been a number of people trying to get onto the pitch from our stand, as people had done from behind the goal.

If city fans were acting calmly and not aggresively then there would have been no need for the police to be using the spray and truncheons. When the police sprayed the spray it wasn't altogether that surprising.

Like it or not if the Police do not take the initiative to get on top of the situation then far worse scenes will happen, as happens in Italy where hooligans have very much a free reign. If the Police had been battoning the Rovers fans and spraying them with C/S spray then they probably would not have run onto the pitch. It is far easier to contain City in their small area than it is to contain the whole of the Rovers stands without having a Police bill of probably double. The City and Rovers fans were kept apart, but it took a hell of a lot of work from the Stewards and Police to do so.

All of the incidents that happened last night fully warrant why there is a need for Police at high profile games. The actions of a sizeable number of City fans included. Until things like that don't happen there is every need for the police to have as much of a presence at games.

Some people need a reality check because there was very nearly a lot of trouble at last nights game, and without the police there it would have been one hell of a lot worse. In this day and age the Police are under far too much pressure, they are unable to do their job properly because there is the constant threat the some people will call foul and try to start litigating and the like. Nobody got seriously injured last night where if the Hooligans had got their own way people easily could have been.

So that's why they allowed a pitch invasion? Get off of your soap box "Kit". You are either a bit of an ignorant/arrogant prat, or a policeman, or a Gashead, or a combination of all three. The fact that children are exposed to CS Gas in what should be a controlled environment, is completely inexcusible. Tell me, were the Rovers "fans", with the freedom of the pitch, sprayed as they goaded a penned in congregation of Men, women and Children?

I don't think your views are helping here, and your comments are inflammatory. I think you should get off of the forum and write a letter supporting the Police's actions to the Evening Post. I wouldn't supply your address mind.

[Guest Bristolface]

The officer that every1 was having a go at for using the pepper spray was number 1075.

don't no if thats any help to anyone.

I have just phoned up the Police and the number 1075 is not the officer 1075 is an wpc in wellington

[Guest Keaner]

All I could see was a lot of people acting very aggressively at the front of the stand. If the police weren't there then I am sure there would have been a number of people trying to get onto the pitch from our stand, as people had done from behind the goal.

If city fans were acting calmly and not aggresively then there would have been no need for the police to be using the spray and truncheons. When the police sprayed the spray it wasn't altogether that surprising.

Like it or not if the Police do not take the initiative to get on top of the situation then far worse scenes will happen, as happens in Italy where hooligans have very much a free reign. If the Police had been battoning the Rovers fans and spraying them with C/S spray then they probably would not have run onto the pitch. It is far easier to contain City in their small area than it is to contain the whole of the Rovers stands without having a Police bill of probably double. The City and Rovers fans were kept apart, but it took a hell of a lot of work from the Stewards and Police to do so.

All of the incidents that happened last night fully warrant why there is a need for Police at high profile games. The actions of a sizeable number of City fans included. Until things like that don't happen there is every need for the police to have as much of a presence at games.

Some people need a reality check because there was very nearly a lot of trouble at last nights game, and without the police there it would have been one hell of a lot worse. In this day and age the Police are under far too much pressure, they are unable to do their job properly because there is the constant threat the some people will call foul and try to start litigating and the like. Nobody got seriously injured last night where if the Hooligans had got their own way people easily could have been.

Kit I don't know what planet your on mate but that is not policing. Policing is cutting off the aggresors and they did not do that as they allowed the Rovers fans within yards. But they then spray gas on a kid and people around him. Yeah maybe he was getting angry but I'm sorry that is not the way to handle it. You have to difuse the situation not incite more trouble. Did you see the steward goading the fans. So I suppose in your book all those people stood up last night are all holigans accept yourself.

This is the real world mate. You sound like a politician standing up for the government. It was out of order and city fans would not of reacted the way they did without the Rovers fans making there way to the end of the ground. Obviuosly you really werent there. I would not be surprised if you thought we played well !!!

[robins72]

Ive just spoken to someone from htv west and they have spoken to the police about this today and are running a story about this tonight. If anyone was hit by the cs gas or wants to contribute to anything they saw including incidents where the gates were locked etc please pm me and I will pass you the reporters mobile number. Cheers.

[City_pete1]

All I could see was a lot of people acting very aggressively at the front of the stand. If the police weren't there then I am sure there would have been a number of people trying to get onto the pitch from our stand, as people had done from behind the goal.

If city fans were acting calmly and not aggresively then there would have been no need for the police to be using the spray and truncheons. When the police sprayed the spray it wasn't altogether that surprising.

Like it or not if the Police do not take the initiative to get on top of the situation then far worse scenes will happen, as happens in Italy where hooligans have very much a free reign. If the Police had been battoning the Rovers fans and spraying them with C/S spray then they probably would not have run onto the pitch. It is far easier to contain City in their small area than it is to contain the whole of the Rovers stands without having a Police bill of probably double. The City and Rovers fans were kept apart, but it took a hell of a lot of work from the Stewards and Police to do so.

All of the incidents that happened last night fully warrant why there is a need for Police at high profile games. The actions of a sizeable number of City fans included. Until things like that don't happen there is every need for the police to have as much of a presence at games.

Some people need a reality check because there was very nearly a lot of trouble at last nights game, and without the police there it would have been one hell of a lot worse. In this day and age the Police are under far too much pressure, they are unable to do their job properly because there is the constant threat the some people will call foul and try to start litigating and the like. Nobody got seriously injured last night where if the Hooligans had got their own way people easily could have been.

I am sorry Kit, but I was directly behind this inncident but at the back of the terrace. I saw it perfectly. City fans singing with one fan being an idiot. That idiot was kicking the boardings (advertisement) and breaking it, not going on the pitch or anything like that. One person doing something illeagal. For that, this idiot copper sprayed the section in front of him. That included young kids, and the image that will stay in my mind is a 16-ish year old blonde attractive girl running past me crying and coughing. I was at the back fence of the terrace, and the gas got in my throught and I had to move as it was so bad. Too many innocent people were effected by one idiot. That is bad policing - terible policing!

Also, the batton-happy copper who was smiling and openly winding up the city fans after hitting random people - disgusting!

Having had a lot of time to think about it, I will be taking this further (although have not had the chance yet). Does anyone know the correct route to follow ?

I am also pleased to hear the supporters trust are thinking about this. They have done a lot of good things recently, I have noticed from a distance. I see no more important issue than supporter/public safety. It's ironic that 'safety' was the last thing the police/stewards encouraged last night.

I am still fuming, and not being bitter - fair play to the rovers for the game, however much it hurts to say that.

[Keepers Ball]

I'm amazed at Kits comments.One Numpty kicks the crap out of an advertising board and then CS gas is used.

So is Kit saying that The Fuzz are'nt capable of grabbing a 16 year old boy ?

[bucksred]

Avon & Somerset Police: There to protect & serve.

Only they spread fear and disorder. as they've done for years.

Hey plod: Bet you feel great after spraying kids and women hey. big hero you sad p****s

[robins72]

Just another plea anyone who has anything to report on said police or being sprayed last night please pm me and I will forward you the reporters number who would like to speak to any city fans who were involved last night.

[cheshire_red]

Newmo says you got the number of the Police Officer WRONG

[Guest Bluebeard]

Newmo says you got the number of the Police Officer WRONG

I'm tempted to say "the gas, the gas, you'll never get rid of the gas" but I wont because this is a serious issue.

[zippycar]

[Guest DIZZYRED]

[cheshire_red]

You cannot take video cameras into football league grounds.

Yes, you can get away with a videophone, they can hardly take that off of you but the long distance quality is poor as we all know.

[Stoke_Gifford_Red]

You cannot take video cameras into football league grounds.

Yes, you can get away with a videophone, they can hardly take that off of you but the long distance quality is poor as we all know.

Although hopefully if not now in a few years time it will be a lot better.

[Guest Ashton Kate]

Although hopefully if not now in a few years time it will be a lot better.

Did anyone report the 2 gashead stewards who were a right pair of muppets???

[Guest Bristolface]

Did anyone report the 2 gashead stewards who were a right pair of muppets???

Yea I have sent in pics of them, and had a e-mail back from Rovers saying that they were agency staff and he will be dealing with it and keep me informed

[City_pete1]

just a reminder to anyone who wishes to complain about/to police but has not had the time, you can do so online here;

https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/conta...laint_form.aspx

[kit]

I am sorry Kit, but I was directly behind this inncident but at the back of the terrace. I saw it perfectly. City fans singing with one fan being an idiot. That idiot was kicking the boardings (advertisement) and breaking it, not going on the pitch or anything like that. One person doing something illeagal. For that, this idiot copper sprayed the section in front of him. That included young kids, and the image that will stay in my mind is a 16-ish year old blonde attractive girl running past me crying and coughing. I was at the back fence of the terrace, and the gas got in my throught and I had to move as it was so bad. Too many innocent people were effected by one idiot. That is bad policing - terible policing!

Also, the batton-happy copper who was smiling and openly winding up the city fans after hitting random people - disgusting!

Having had a lot of time to think about it, I will be taking this further (although have not had the chance yet). Does anyone know the correct route to follow ?

I am also pleased to hear the supporters trust are thinking about this. They have done a lot of good things recently, I have noticed from a distance. I see no more important issue than supporter/public safety. It's ironic that 'safety' was the last thing the police/stewards encouraged last night.

I am still fuming, and not being bitter - fair play to the rovers for the game, however much it hurts to say that.

I saw the whole thing perfectly and saw that person being way over the top aggressive and also being given plenty of warning to stop what he was doing. There was also plenty of time for people around to move out of the way. This person was causing criminal damage and was stopped by the spraying of CS spray. It is a shame that people got caught up in all of that but unfortunately some people act like complete thugs.

Furthermore I personally heard and saw a fair few people making moves towards trying to get onto the pitch from our stand but were only halted by the baton wielding police.

As for Rovers fans getting within Yards of the City Fans, the closest I saw was one fan about 30 yards away. And to use the Rovers fans as an excuse for City fans causing trouble is also quite naive, if City fans are willing to get onto the pitch and push past the police and make movements towards the rovers fans then they are trouble makers regardless of what the Rovers fans did, with or without the Rovers fans on the pitch they would probably be intent on causing trouble.

There are some Horrendous double standards on this Forum. Such as the Old Bill overkill thread from a while back. People saying that there were far too many police at some games that were likely to have some potential incidents. Yet there is absolute criticism for the Police for Leting the Rovers fans get onto the pitch. If the Police were going to be able to do that they would probably have had to have officers completely lining the edge of the stands with Batons and CS spray willing to use it on anybody who attempts to get onto the pitch, plus having about 30 police horses ready in waiting to get onto the pitch if anybody does get onto the pitch.

If all this was the case then there would be so many posts saying was all this policing worthwhile and slating the police for having far too many numbers there. But have a think how much that Policing would have cost to be able to stop the Rovers fans geting on the pitch.

I might write a letter to the Police thanking them for ensuring that I did not get attacked by any Rovers Hooligans and acknowledging the fact that they had a very difficult job, and also add that any Police I spoke to were curtious and helpful.

[Guest Red Wardy]

I saw the whole thing perfectly and saw that person being way over the top aggressive and also being given plenty of warning to stop what he was doing. There was also plenty of time for people around to move out of the way. This person was causing criminal damage and was stopped by the spraying of CS spray. It is a shame that people got caught up in all of that but unfortunately some people act like complete thugs.

Furthermore I personally heard and saw a fair few people making moves towards trying to get onto the pitch from our stand but were only halted by the baton wielding police.

As for Rovers fans getting within Yards of the City Fans, the closest I saw was one fan about 30 yards away. And to use the Rovers fans as an excuse for City fans causing trouble is also quite naive, if City fans are willing to get onto the pitch and push past the police and make movements towards the rovers fans then they are trouble makers regardless of what the Rovers fans did, with or without the Rovers fans on the pitch they would probably be intent on causing trouble.

There are some Horrendous double standards on this Forum. Such as the Old Bill overkill thread from a while back. People saying that there were far too many police at some games that were likely to have some potential incidents. Yet there is absolute criticism for the Police for Leting the Rovers fans get onto the pitch. If the Police were going to be able to do that they would probably have had to have officers completely lining the edge of the stands with Batons and CS spray willing to use it on anybody who attempts to get onto the pitch, plus having about 30 police horses ready in waiting to get onto the pitch if anybody does get onto the pitch.

If all this was the case then there would be so many posts saying was all this policing worthwhile and slating the police for having far too many numbers there. But have a think how much that Policing would have cost to be able to stop the Rovers fans geting on the pitch.

I might write a letter to the Police thanking them for ensuring that I did not get attacked by any Rovers Hooligans and acknowledging the fact that they had a very difficult job, and also add that any Police I spoke to were curtious and helpful.

:noexpression: .....

[CiderHider]

I cant see any posts here pointing out the irony of it all, unless i missed them, anyways..

[Guest Red Wardy]

I cant see any posts here pointing out the irony of it all, unless i missed them, anyways..

You are right. We have got to get rid of the gas.

[scootered]

The oversized clothing makes him/her? look really menacing