Bristol City keen to burst the 'bubble' surrounding Welsh games
Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown insists the club remains committed to removing the "bubble" restrictions for games against Cardiff and Swansea.
Talks between the three clubs and Avon and Somerset and South Wales Police are planned for next year.
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Steve Lansdown
But they will not come soon enough to see restrictions lifted for the FA Cup third round tie between Bristol City and Cardiff at Ashton Gate on Saturday, January 2 (3pm).
And that has almost certainly put paid to City's hopes of attracting a sell-out audience for what promises to be a full-blooded derby encounter in the New Year.
Under Football Association guidelines, Cardiff are entitled to 3,000 tickets for the Cup tie. But the Bluebirds have requested just 2,000.
"It shows they are not confident of selling out for a bubble game," said Lansdown, who has been campaigning for travel and ticketing restrictions imposed by the police to be lifted for the last couple of seasons.
"We realise that the rules governing games between ourselves and our Welsh neighbours are not popular with supporters and bubble matches do none of us any favours.
"All three clubs are working towards changing things and discussions with the relevant police authorities are planned for next year.
"Unfortunately, the FA Cup game has come too soon for us and the police are advising us that the restrictions must remain in place."
The Coca-Cola Championship fixture between the Severnside rivals, scheduled for Tuesday, January 26, has already been earmarked as a bubble game, as has City's home game against Swansea on Saturday, April 10. Lansdown said: "It looks as though we are saddled with these regulations for the remainder of this season. But that doesn't mean we will be looking for ways to lift sanctions in the future.
"All three clubs want to look after their supporters and we will continue to monitor the situation and maintain a dialogue with the police authorities."
Bubble restrictions were imposed by the police four seasons ago, following a history of crowd disturbances and violence before and after games involving City, Cardiff and Swansea.
Only season ticket holders and Away Travel Club members are entitled to buy tickets for away games and all are forced to travel on official club coaches, which are escorted to and from the stadiums by the police.
So unpopular have the restrictions proved, that supporters have voted with their feet and away ticket allocations seldom sell out.
Bristol City were today set to announce ticket details for the FA Cup tie and these are expected to be on sale to priority groups within the next day or two.
4 Comments
by Andy, Bristol
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 6:51PM
“I would say as soon the bubble is lifted in a City v Cardif game there will be trouble, but surely its up to the police to deal with it rather than have an easy pay day.”
by Tom, Bristol
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 1:19PM
“If the same ticket restrictions stay in place, as in season ticket and members can only buy tickets then what difference does it make if its a bubble trip or not?
Police have to patrol train stations and surrounding areas on bubble matchdays anyway. Thee is no more of a risk of a group of trouble makers travelling to Cardiff or Swansea on a non-bubble match as there is when a bubble match is on. If they see anyone of suspicion all they have to do is stop them, ask them for a ticket and if they fail to produce one send them home!
These people are hell bent on fighting eachother a bubble match will not stop them.”
by ade, bridgwater
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 12:45PM
“I can't believe they're actually thinking of stopping them!
I fail to see anything that's changed in the last 4 years to indicate that there wouldn't be trouble
Look at the trouble between Cardiff and the Gash recently and we're fiercer rivals!
Sounds like the only reason to stop them is as usual finacial based then after the riots we'll have the usual "lessons learned" cop out!
Absolute madness!”
by James, South West
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 11:43AM
“Unfortunately Cardiff City (especially) and Bristol City have a nucleus of people (I don't call them supporters of fans) who attach themsleves to the clubs and whose chief purpose is to instigate and take part in violence against people who support the opposing side in these derbies.
What happens if free access is again granted to matches between these clubs and serious public disorder breaks out?
Only one group of people will be blamed - the police.
Little wonder they are cautious about the policing of these games, not least because if the 'bubble' practice was removed numerous extra officers would be required to police the streets and areas around the ground. The football clubs would not pay for this - the cost would fall to the tax payer. Furthermore, officers would have to be brought in from other areas of the city and probably beyond to assist, thus making the already minimal police cover there even less.
I write this as a Bristol City fan of many years but also as a realist and a Bristol council tax payer.”