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"Bring back football specials", a copper says

From today's Guardian:
The deputy head of the British Transport Police warned yesterday that his resources were being stretched by the pressure of herding growing numbers of fans around the country on match days. Even when services to match day hotspots such as London, Manchester and Liverpool pass off without arrests, non-football going passengers can be frightened or irritated by fans' behaviour, said Andy Trotter, deputy chief constable.

Although "an awful lot" of fans behave impeccably on the way to matches and during games, some of the antics on the rail network and London Underground were unacceptable. "There is an argument for the football specials, the trains that take fans backwards and forwards, but that's a matter for the train operators."

Mr Trotter said he would like to see fans taken off trains: "I would much prefer if there is something done not to have them coming on the system at all."

Comments

  • now there's a copper with effing common sense.
  • 16 'incidents' in a season, and he calls for this?
  • Makes sense though rothlo.

    think you'd see an upsurge in away support at games
  • I would have thought it makes sense.

    Stick 1000 Man Utd fans on a direct train from Manc to Charlton rather than having them milling about in London looking for Millwall, Spurs etc and seeing loads of other firms at Euston.

    Ive seen first hand the fear in peoples faces when there is a firm on the Underground and it aint nice for innocent bystanders.
  • The football special was one of the contributions to the "tribal mentality" which prompted much of the 70s and 80s violence (as was the escort to the coaches and the station). A reintroduction of either would be a major step backwards.
  • [cite]Posted By: Ledge Knows[/cite]Makes sense though rothlo.

    think you'd see an upsurge in away support at games

    It's, as 1905 has put it, moving back to the 1970's, and look how wonderfully supporters were treated then
  • [cite]Posted By: 1905[/cite]The football special was one of the contributions to the "tribal mentality" which prompted much of the 70s and 80s violence (as was the escort to the coaches and the station). A reintroduction of either would be a major step backwards.

    More or less what I was going to say, really. The police chief's comments should be looked at in the context of the inadequacy of the rail network as a whole to handle large numbers of passengers (ie to do its job properly). I can't think of anything worse than being "encouraged" to get on a crappy old train that's only on because nobody would miss it if it got smashed up.
  • edited February 2007
    [cite]Posted By: 1905[/cite]The football special was one of the contributions to the "tribal mentality" which prompted much of the 70s and 80s violence (as was the escort to the coaches and the station). A reintroduction of either would be a major step backwards.


    Yeah fair point -
  • A girl here at work is from Hull, bless her she got a train at half 5 from Charlton (she lives in SE7) after our game with chelsea, poor love was caught up in a load of football banter, which frightened her half to death! How is it going backwards if they bring back footie specials! Is it going backwards if they bought back safe standing?? Just cos there is footy specials does it mean it will kick off any more than it might if the firms were on normal trains! I personally dont think so!
  • Can't see the train companies going for it - so a non starter from the off.
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  • Agree MCS its the people not the systems.

    I bet if we had a football special for say, Everton away later in the season there would be a decent size take up if the price was right.

    Trains all have CCTV nowadays anyway.
  • [cite]Posted By: Southendaddick[/cite]Agree MCS its the people not the systems.

    I bet if we had a football special for say, Everton away later in the season there would be a decent size take up if the price was right.

    Trains all have CCTV nowadays anyway.

    doesn't stop some supporters abusing staff/passengers & damaging the trains though
  • MCS - The problem with a football special is that it hordes everyone together, and unfortunately that can bring the worst out in some people because they act like idiots because of saftey in numbers. Football specials also mean it is less hassle getting your firm all together in one place at one time. Those who got the train out of Bolton following the FA cup defeat will no what I mean (although it wasnt strickly a special) - cos seeing so many fans getting on one train brought the worst out in the police - people who normally keep well clear of violence were dragged into it that day.
  • [cite]Posted By: 1905[/cite]Football specials also mean it is less hassle getting your firm all together in one place at one time.

    Do you normally have trouble getting all together "firm" then?
  • if they bring this in, you wait and see some of the Hogwarts Expresses that are dusted off out the sidings, a la Boro last season.
  • [cite]Posted By: Off_it[/cite]
    [cite]Posted By: 1905[/cite]Football specials also mean it is less hassle getting your firm all together in one place at one time.

    Do you normally have trouble getting all together "firm" then?

    After a disappointing CAFC performance the depression can have that effect!!
  • Off-it - I am having a serious debate here. If you are not careful I will bump the VG debate :-)
  • [cite]Posted By: 1905[/cite]Off-it - I am having a serious debate here. If you are not careful I will bump the VG debate :-)
    what's valley gold ?
  • That trouble at Bolton station was hilarious.Talk about old bill completely losing the plot.
  • edited February 2007
    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I would like to make it clear that I am unequivocally retracting my previous post, in which I made a lame attempt at "seaside postcard"-type humour which was clearly uncalled for in what was an serious, enthralling and very pertinent debate. Not only am I embarrassed at my ridiculously juvenile attempt to get a cheap laugh but I am ashamed that I even had the thought of lowering this board to such a level.

    Not only would I like to sincerely apologise to you, Mr 1905, but also to Mrs 1905 for my obvious gross misrepresentation of what, I have no doubt, is a particularly virile and fulfilling "personal" relationship. I would also like to extend my heartfelt apologies to any other Charlton Lifers - whom I like to consider friends and all part of the one big collective family of Addicks - that were offended by my comments or were left with the misinformed view that things may not be right in the 1905 trouser department.

    I can only hope that you, my friends, will find it in your hearts to forgive my foolish misdemeanour and will, ON NO ACCOUNTS, take my obvious weakness as a green light to re-open that wound on the flayed whore that is the Valley Gold/priority tickets debate.

    I thank you for your forgiveness.
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  • edited February 2007
    See peeps, you wouldn't of got an apology like that on Netaddicks !!

    Off It. as Chief Spokesman of the CL brethren, we warmly embrace not just the sentiments, but the emotive delivery of your apology, and re-welcome you back into the bosom of our CL soul. I salute you.
  • only because the post would have timed out and not posted....
  • [cite]Posted By: suzisausage[/cite]only because the post would have timed out and not posted....

    What you saying - that I can't type quick like?
    ;o)
  • Off it -lol. I am pleased that my trouser department can sleep easy.
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