Burnley FC fans’ anger over Ewood Park coach travel
Burnley fans queue to board the buses at Turf Moor ahead of their clash with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
CLARETS fans have voiced their concerns at the travel arrangements put in place for last Sunday’s derby clash against Blackburn after they were made to get coaches to Ewood Park.
Many tweeted Chief Supt Bob Eastwood, of Lancashire Police, to criticise the way the arrangements, part of a major police operation, were handled.
Burnley’s 4,000 fans who travelled the short distance to the game had to do so on nearly 50 special coaches and had to be at Turf Moor for 9-45am, despite the game, which ended 1-1, not kicking off until 12-30pm.
Some supporters have also contacted the Express to say the compulsory coach travel was unnecessary for the match, which passed off largely peacefully, though toilets and buses were damaged by away fans.
Fan Paul Mortimer said: “In the 2009/2010 season those who wanted to fight travelled over in taxis ages after the match finished, this was not avoided by the buses being in place.
“On Sunday, the only trouble I know of took place either in the ground and bus window damage, again, buses had no part in stopping these and in fact, the latter only happened because the buses were there.
“Almost every fan I know who has seen us win at Ewood didn’t want to be subjected to that treatment and give up their freedom and civil rights and those of us who went only did so because we simply couldn’t miss winning there for the first time in our lives.”
Becca Stubbs added: “My experience on the coaches on Sunday was awful. The idiots who were on our coach were urinating in bottles, smoking and drinking alcohol. I feel it could have been handled a lot better.
“The trouble at the end proved that such travel arrangements do need to be in place for future matches but I think it could have been handled a lot better and made the day safer and nicer for everybody involved whatever the result.”
Adam Stubbs said: “I would strongly recommend keeping it the same, but making the coaches leave later on, ensuring the away fans aren’t at the ground for a long time beforehand, which would cut down on some of the damage caused to the stadium.”
A police spokesman said the force could not comment on travel arrangements for future games.
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