Huddersfield travel row: Hull City fans' legal action 'will start soon'
LEGAL action will be taken against West Yorkshire Police if travel restrictions remain in place for Hull City fans wanting to go to the match at Huddersfield next month.
Tigers fans have inundated the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) with more than 150 emails, angry at West Yorkshire Police for restricting them to use official coaches from Hull to the Championship clash next month.
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Hull City travelling fans at Leicester earlier in the season
Some City fans, who live in Huddersfield, would have to travel to Hull to catch a coach to be taken back to the game.
The police have also restricted the number of tickets to 1,500 in an away stand with a capacity of 4,000.
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The West Yorkshire force says the restrictions are necessary to allow the match to be policed safely and effectively.
Amanda Jacks, director of case work for the FSF, said: "If the police don't back down, there will be legal action in the near future.
"We have a client entitled to legal aid and a solicitor who thinks on this occasion fans have a right.
"It is not a human rights challenge, but (about) whether the police action is proportionate.
"The legal action will start in the near future, should West Yorkshire Police not change its mind."
The match was originally scheduled to kick off at 12.30pm on March 30 but this has been changed to 5.30pm on the same day so it can be televised on Sky Sports.
Under the Sky TV contract, all clubs must host at least one live game a season.
Huddersfield Town were at risk of breaching that, which could lead to a points deduction, after West Yorkshire Police had already refused permission for Sky to screen the home games against Leeds United and Cardiff City.
Huddersfield Town chief executive Nigel Clibbens said the police originally told them they would not sanction the change in kick-off time due to their "risk assessment and the additional financial burden this would place on them".
Mr Clibbens said: "We informed West Yorkshire Police of the implications for us of being unable to stage the game at the requested kick-off time.
"We were pleased West Yorkshire Police showed a willingness to reconsider the position and work with us to find a solution to reduce the policing costs and risk associated with the game."
As part of the agreement the capacity for away fans has been restricted, it is the highest price category for match tickets, the travelling restrictions have been implemented, it is all-ticket for home and away fans and only home fans with ticket purchasing history can buy tickets.
Some City fans said they would boycott the match.
Mr Clibbens said: "Being faced with the unenviable prospect of not fulfilling the Sky TV contract and the huge potential implications for the club, we are just very relieved the game is to be staged.
"The real people who suffer are the normal everyday Hull fans who just want to support their team but have to abide by the restrictions.
"We are really grateful for the support of Hull City in helping us deal with the issue and agreeing to the conditions, which mean that West Yorkshire Police was willing to move from its original position to sanction the game."
The FSF is urging fans to email amanda.jacks@fsf.org.uk and the responses will be passed on to West Yorkshire's police and crime commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson.
Mr Burns-Williamson said: "This is an operational policing matter under the direction of the chief constable.
"I will be speaking to the temporary chief constable to see if any of the specific concerns raised by fans, Hull City and Hull MP Karl Turner can be accommodated without compromising the safety of people across Huddersfield and West Yorkshire."
23 Comments
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by stantheman
Friday, February 22 2013, 9:04PM
“How on earth do they cope 30 miles away in Manchester when there are 50,000 and 75,000 crowds for football every week?”
by wezzytiger
Friday, February 22 2013, 4:23PM
“Heres another idea, why don't west yorkshire police ask a proper police force like Humberside police to borrow some officers to police the event and show West Yorkshire police how to officiate on a match day. Shimples!!!!”
by wezzytiger
Friday, February 22 2013, 4:21PM
“Great idea Dan. Unfortunately as 99.9999999999999 percent of us a re law abiding citizens it won't happen. But i will join ye for a protest. Then Go watch the game amongst all the home fans.”
by DanDrimire
Friday, February 22 2013, 4:17PM
“Surely the obvious answer is for all City fans to turn up outside the ground without a ticket. How do the police then control 4,000 fans ..... easy .... they'll have to let them in!”
by YorkshireMike
Friday, February 22 2013, 1:59PM
“It is not just contravening Humanh Rights legislation with regard to freedom of movement but also Human Rights legislation also covers freedom of association - so there is a right to associate with like minded people enshrined in legislation.
Incidentally I have had a response from the West Yorkshire Police Commissioner paraphrased in the article but in full it says:
'Although I have been contacted by many people about the decisions made by West Yorkshire Police in relation to this football match, I must emphasise that this is an operational policing matter under the direction of the Chief Constable.
The problem has arisen because Sky has requested a change of kick-off time so that the game can be broadcast live much later in the day on 30 March. This clearly has implications for policing and to make sure the match can be safely policed I understand a number of conditions have been put in place.
However, I have listened to the concerns raised by Hull City supporters including those living in West Yorkshire and I have been in conversation with Hull MP Karl Turner and the Chief Executive of Hull City FC. I will now also be speaking to the Temporary Chief Constable to see if any of the specific concerns raised can be accommodated without compromising the safety of people across Huddersfield and West Yorkshire.'
Typical politicians reply if I may make so bold!!”
by Squaggles
Friday, February 22 2013, 1:50PM
“@Mark_Hull_65
Football fans are just normal people who want to go and watch their football team play , I've been watching Hull City for 30+ years and have seen trouble of any kind on a handful of occasions
You seem to have got your ideas from films like Green Street”
by Mark_Hull_65
Friday, February 22 2013, 1:34PM
“"There's only one person who sounds a bit thick Mark - YOU!"
I don't go around brawling in the street, crying when 'my' team lose a stupid game or shouting advice at the wall in pubs.
And then there's the whole thing about paying £50 for a gaudy t-shirt in 100% unnatural fibres.”
by wezzytiger
Friday, February 22 2013, 12:56PM
“I have lots of friends who go to Huddersfield town games week in week out so i will be getting tickets for my mates and we WILL get in to see our beloved tigers. Don't care where i have to sit. I will also make sure everyone around us know that we are Hull City fans. Stupid isn't it. If one of the communist bobbies found a brain cell then we wouldn't have to do this to support our club. No one is going to tell me i cant go to a football match. Now that's two fingers up to the communist West Yorkshire police.”
by 200MileTrip
Friday, February 22 2013, 12:05PM
“If this decision is not overturned - boycott the game. This will mean WYP are over-resourced for the game and under-resourced for the protest march trough the centre of Huddersfield from 2pm that day.
The only way to deal with this is for everyone to boycott the game - I live in manchester and am not willing to travel 350 miles+ as a round trip when this should be a 58 mile round trip!
WYP - You are a disgrace”
by 200MileTrip
Friday, February 22 2013, 12:01PM
“Thank you o Amanda Jacks - it just shows the fans do have power and the ability to legally challenge such ridiculous decisions.
I for one emailed FSF - If you havent, you should do - lets get this overturned and WYP shown up for what they are - SH&THOUSES”