Huddersfield travel talks 'moving in Hull City's favour', Assem Allam says
THE row between Hull City fans and West Yorkshire Police over travel restrictions for the match against Huddersfield could be resolved.
The police force is in talks with both clubs to reach a compromise after imposing restrictions on City fans planning to travel to the away game.
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City fans had been ordered to travel on official coaches leaving from Hull and tickets were restricted to 1,500, when the away stand capacity is 4,000.
Now, West Yorkshire Police and Hull City owner Assem Allam are hinting a deal could be reached to end the row after the force came under pressure from fans and politicians.
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Mr Allam said: "There have been discussions continuously and I've been told it is moving forward in our favour."
West Yorkshire Police's assistant chief constable Craig Guildford said: "We are in negotiations and are speaking to both football clubs to address the issues that have been raised regarding some fans travelling to the Huddersfield Town v Hull City match at the end of March.
"Discussions will be taking place this week and we will update the public when a decision is reached."
The development comes after Tigers fan Louis Cooper, 15, instructed law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn to challenge the restrictions.
A letter requesting a relaxation of the restrictions will be sent to the force today.
If it is unsuccessful, an application will be made for a judicial review over the sanction which sees City supporters having to travel to the match next month on official coaches from Hull – regardless of where they live.
Police claim the restrictions are necessary to allow the match to be policed safely and effectively.
Louis, who lives in Manchester and travels to every Hull City home and away game, said he would have to travel 350 miles to the game and back, when the ground is only 30 miles away from his house.
Andy Dalton, editor of Amber Nectar fanzine, has missed just two away games in 13 years.
"It is very commendable what Louis is doing," he said.
"The fact a 15-year-old is trying to instill some common sense is quite embarrassing for the police.
"We should not have to threaten the police with legal action to watch a football match.
"City supporters are united in this. Louis has got everyone's support."
Tigers fans have inundated the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) with more than 150 emails complaining about West Yorkshire Police's decision.
Hundreds of people have visited Louis's blog, in which he says he feels he is being treated like a criminal.
The match on March 30 was originally set for 12.30pm, but kick-off has now been changed to 5.20pm because the game is to be televised on Sky Sports.
West Yorkshire Police originally refused permission for the game to be held at this time, due to cost of policing and concerns at the prospect of away fans drinking in Huddersfield for the hours before the match starts.
They changed their mind when a series of sanctions were agreed, which also includes disabled supporters being allowed to travel to the game independently from Tiger Travel, providing they are only accompanied by their sole carer.
Lawyer Lochlinn Parker, of Deighton Pierce Glynn Solicitors, said: "We believe the decision is unlawful and the letter to the police is asking them to drop the restrictions.
"We hope they will but, if not, we will be left with no alternative but to make an application for judicial review of the decision."
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by doch25
Thursday, February 28 2013, 2:30AM
“Well done Louis Cooper, for you know what it means,
To be a city fan in Hudder -s fieeeld.
To the tune of The Monkees Wake up Sleepy Jean, we could add to it but its a start!”
by Daveinleeds
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 1:41PM
“'Well done louis cooper' sounds like a song to me
anybody got a tune?”
by Daveinleeds
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 1:37PM
“well yes that is a good point too Finbarr, because Hull is a lovely place filled with gentle folk. I remember them well from the days I played rugby and visited town centre pubs. Such sweet natured people I met every where.
perhaps the Police just have our best interests at heart, and want to look after us. the only difference between a bus and an internment camp is the wheels, albeit for only about an hour.
Time to do as we are told.”
by Finbarr
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 10:19AM
“Perhaps the police are aiming to PROTECT the city fans by ensuring thet they all travel on coaches ? Huddersfield is a rough old place and has a bad reputation for casual violence and more importantly ORGANISED violence. It's not a place that the general public can safely go drinking in- the excitable locals would no doubt be even less welcoming to football fans from another club.”
by Daveinleeds
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 9:29PM
“Finbarr my old friend
you might be surprised that I actually agree with your sentiment a bit. I am not in favour of the 'namby pamby state' civil liberty issues do not equate with nanny state liberalism at all. I believe that individuals in a free state should also be accountable for their actions. Freedom comes with responsibility in my book too. The deprivation of personal liberty is a consequence both of left and right wing politics at the extreme ends. I am neither a liberal nor a libertarian. Where individuals transgress the mores of their society and the rule of law in the action of compromising another individuals liberty it is my contention that the sanction should exceed the severity of the original transgression.
In other words if the supporters of hull city or any other football club should cause a public order offence the penalty should be as severe as the law permits. What crime has been committed now one month before the match.
I reiterate. This issue is not about football.
You might be surprised that in general terms I am not a supporter of civil liberty politics at all. I am in agreement that this is generally a negative approach, advocating specific liberties for specific agenda groups. But the right to pursue those aims is fundamental.”
by DeeGee13
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 8:13PM
“I see the 3:14 post has been removed; quite right.
For those that did not see it, RamonaFlowers stated that Assem should be sorting out his countries balloon disasters and not fooball matters!
Hope that shames you!”
by DeeGee13
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 7:17PM
“RamonaFlowers 3.14pm
Disgraceful comment, you should be thoroughly ashamed!
I have reported your post.”
by yank4hullcity
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 5:59PM
“All I want to add is a "well done to Louis Cooper" for travelling to every Hull City home and away game as does my cousin who lives in Driff. I don't know where the money comes from and how they find time during the week, but they have my respect.”
by RamonaFlowers
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 3:06PM
“Can someone please explain how the police can stop me travelling to Huddersfield by whatever means I prefer.”
by cafesociety1
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 3:03PM
“Marsbarrr.If you want to read gobbledegook read APs article on bbc football site."industry"-Does he drink before interviews.He must have been well possed when he bought a rugbj team”