Fan power has forced Sunderland to scrap plans to make
supporters travel to next month’s Tyne-Wear derby on official transport
only.
Supporters from Sunderland and Newcastle United joined forces to condemn the so-called ‘bubble match’ at St James’ Park in the first week of February.
Sunderland tonight confirmed they have withdrawn proposals to force all supporters to use the official fleet of buses provided from the Stadium of Light for the trip up the A19.
Jailed: Barry Rogerson threw a punch at Bud the police horse after the Tyne-Wear derby
A spokesman said: 'After considering the police position, Sunderland
AFC will be withdrawing the terms and conditions of ticket sales, which
previously stated that all supporters must attend the game on official
transport.
'The arrangements to provide complimentary buses and supporters branch transport will remain in place and Sunderland AFC advises fans that this is the safest method of travel to St James’ Park.”
Earlier in the day, fans groups and fanzines combined to issue a press release calling on the two clubs to reconsider the stringent travel arrangements from Sunderland into Newcastle.
After listening to supporters, in another unusual move, the two North East clubs have also issued a joint statement criticising police handling of the issue, adding they would still prefer the next derby to have its original Saturday 3pm kick-off as they game will not be televised.
Flashpoint: Rogerson taunts Bud, punches the horse in the face and is then tackled by a policeman
The statement read: 'Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC are
surprised and disappointed with the statement issued yesterday by
Northumbria Police in which the force claims that the police cannot
direct changes to kick-off times for the clubs' fixtures, referring in
particular to the derby games.
'Over a number of years both clubs have made repeated representations to Northumbria Police to try and reach agreement over kick off times to enable a traditional 3:00pm kick off or later to enable broadcasters to give the game consideration in the majority of their time slots for live coverage.
'Police forces up and down the country have been able to police high-profile derby matches for years, including most recently the first Welsh derby in the Premier League, Cardiff v Swansea, on Sunday 3rd November at 4:00pm, Arsenal v Tottenham at 5:15pm on Saturday 4th January, and Manchester City v Manchester United on Sunday 22nd September at 4:00pm.
'In recent years Northumbria Police have rejected every request made by the clubs for later kick-off slots including Saturday 5:30pm, Sunday 4:00pm and Monday 8:00pm.
Pitched battles: Police try to hold back Newcastle fans attempting to break through their lines
Charge: Mounted officers try to hold back rioting fans after last season's Tyne-Wear derby
'Both clubs have evidence in the form of considerable written
correspondence between Northumbria Police, the Premier League and the
clubs which contradicts their statement of yesterday. Indeed that
correspondence has stated that Northumbria Police would not be prepared
to police the evening fixtures requested previously, as well as their
confirmation to the Premier League in writing in January 2013 that the
force would not support derby matches with kick-off times later than
1:30pm.
'For Northumbria Police therefore to issue a statement stating that they do not direct changes to kick-off times is quite frankly false and absurd - and conflicts with the respectful and responsible manner in which both Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC have engaged with the police over many years with regard to the derby fixture.
Ready for action: West Yorkshire police horse posted this picture of Bud after the incident
Not horsing around: Bud, the horse that was attacked, pictured in the paddock the day after the game
'In light of Northumbria Police's latest statement, Newcastle United
and Sunderland AFC will now inform the Premier League that all future
fixtures between the two clubs will be available for kick-off times to
suit the clubs, the League and their broadcast partners, if applicable,
and will expect Northumbria Police to police these games, especially
given the considerable costs both clubs incur for such special police
services.
'After considering the police position, Sunderland AFC will be withdrawing the terms and conditions of ticket sales, which previously stated that all supporters must attend the game on official transport. The arrangements to provide complimentary buses and supporters branch transport will remain in place and Sunderland AFC advises fans that this is the safest method of travel to St James’ Park.'
Supporters from Sunderland and Newcastle United joined forces to condemn the so-called ‘bubble match’ at St James’ Park in the first week of February.
Sunderland tonight confirmed they have withdrawn proposals to force all supporters to use the official fleet of buses provided from the Stadium of Light for the trip up the A19.
Jailed: Barry Rogerson threw a punch at Bud the police horse after the Tyne-Wear derby
'The arrangements to provide complimentary buses and supporters branch transport will remain in place and Sunderland AFC advises fans that this is the safest method of travel to St James’ Park.”
Earlier in the day, fans groups and fanzines combined to issue a press release calling on the two clubs to reconsider the stringent travel arrangements from Sunderland into Newcastle.
After listening to supporters, in another unusual move, the two North East clubs have also issued a joint statement criticising police handling of the issue, adding they would still prefer the next derby to have its original Saturday 3pm kick-off as they game will not be televised.
Flashpoint: Rogerson taunts Bud, punches the horse in the face and is then tackled by a policeman
'Over a number of years both clubs have made repeated representations to Northumbria Police to try and reach agreement over kick off times to enable a traditional 3:00pm kick off or later to enable broadcasters to give the game consideration in the majority of their time slots for live coverage.
'Police forces up and down the country have been able to police high-profile derby matches for years, including most recently the first Welsh derby in the Premier League, Cardiff v Swansea, on Sunday 3rd November at 4:00pm, Arsenal v Tottenham at 5:15pm on Saturday 4th January, and Manchester City v Manchester United on Sunday 22nd September at 4:00pm.
'In recent years Northumbria Police have rejected every request made by the clubs for later kick-off slots including Saturday 5:30pm, Sunday 4:00pm and Monday 8:00pm.
Pitched battles: Police try to hold back Newcastle fans attempting to break through their lines
Charge: Mounted officers try to hold back rioting fans after last season's Tyne-Wear derby
'For Northumbria Police therefore to issue a statement stating that they do not direct changes to kick-off times is quite frankly false and absurd - and conflicts with the respectful and responsible manner in which both Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC have engaged with the police over many years with regard to the derby fixture.
Ready for action: West Yorkshire police horse posted this picture of Bud after the incident
Not horsing around: Bud, the horse that was attacked, pictured in the paddock the day after the game
'After considering the police position, Sunderland AFC will be withdrawing the terms and conditions of ticket sales, which previously stated that all supporters must attend the game on official transport. The arrangements to provide complimentary buses and supporters branch transport will remain in place and Sunderland AFC advises fans that this is the safest method of travel to St James’ Park.'
