Trouble

[NewClaret]

Mods have just removed my post, saying it was an unnecessary response to an abusive poster. I thought it was very appropriate but ah well.
Thanks anyway guys for the kind words regarding my friend the Royal Marine. I will pass on all of your best wishes to him. UTC.

Couldn’t understand that one myself Jamesy, maybe it’s the rules not to reply to trolls so that it doesn’t propagate.

Anyway, was just about to comment saying what a heartwarming story it was, both that you’d offered up your ticket and spent the day with your Blackburn-supporting friend. Great to hear and exactly what footballing rivalry should be about.

[AfloatinClaret]

...Well, Baghdad is posh when you compare it to Blackburn...

My all time favourite such comparison was in a 2003 radio phone-in on the day the British Army went into Basra in Iraq (GW2) The Defence Secretary reported this action on TV that morning, describing Basra as "A naval city, much like Portsmouth".

A few hours later a squaddy phoned in to the radio show and responded: "I come from Portsmouth and I'm currently in Basra so I can tell you first hand that Geoff Hoon was talking rubbish; the girls in Basra are ugly, there's no drinkable beer here and the locals keep trying to kill me... it's more like Gosport.

[Nori1958]

Very encouraging to hear praise for the Policing. A few years back I genuinely thought that every football supporter, irrespective of club, was automatically disenfranchising themselves by attending a match. We were undoubtedly 2nd class citizens and treated almost as criminals by the Police. Good to hear that this MAY be changing.

The attitude stems from those in charge
ACC russ Procter comes from a family of footballers, including Andy who played for Accrington, they understand football and fans, and will police it accordingly

Many years ago Blackburn put a guy called Alan holt in charge of football policing. His dad had played for rovers, Alan was a good footballer as well and understood what fans needed... He organised the Fernhurst as an away pub a first for policing and made sure fans were treated respectfully, and it worked.... Looked like yesterday worked for the vast majority

[Herts Clarets]

You’re not meant to run in walking football.

Gentle jog across the pitch before we start. I don't think he could run if he wanted to, his legs are knackered.

[AlargeClaret]

Didn’t see a single Rovers fan outside the ground before or after the game . I think about 95% of them were on the buses that had been put on for them . Laughably OTT policing numbers which lines the coffers of the old bill I guess . Now if it has been 1994 and a 3pm Sat KO with 6000 away fans making their own way there then fair enough .

[bobinho]

Had there not been such a large and visible police presence (with good attitudes) and it went pear shaped, no doubt you’d be on here asking why they hadn’t responded properly to the very obvious threat of football violence….

The whole day was planned and policed excellently.

[Nori1958]

Didn’t see a single Rovers fan outside the ground before or after the game . I think about 95% of them were on the buses that had been put on for them . Laughably OTT policing numbers which lines the coffers of the old bill I guess . Now if it has been 1994 and a 3pm Sat KO with 6000 away fans making their own way there then fair enough .

Sometimes it's best just to say nothing