City fans to burst police ‘bubble’ by staging boycott

And they are being backed by Huddersfield fans, the Football Supporters’ Federation and fans of other clubs over an issue that many feel could have implications for supporters across the land.

The kick-off for the game on Saturday, March 30, the first meeting between the clubs for eight years, has been put back to 5.20pm so it can be televised live on Sky.

But concerns over policing costs and potential crowd control issues led West Yorkshire Police to say City fans would only be admitted if they travelled on official club transport from Hull – greatly inconveniencing those living elsewhere. The ticketing allocation was also cut from the usual 3,900 to just 1,500.

Talks between both clubs and the force led to a compromise last week, releasing a further 200 tickets and allowing fans to travel independently to Hartshead Moor services on the M62, from where they would be bussed in on transport provided by Hull City.

But this has done nothing to soothe the anger of many City fans, who object to being forced into a police-escorted “bubble”, which they fear would set a precedent for future matches.

“We could accept the loss of tickets but not the bubble,” said a season ticket holder who has been to more than 1,000 City games.

“This is fundamental; it’s not just about this game it’s about the future. The fans are calling for a boycott, although we understand there will be a small number of fans who normally travel on official coaches who will still want to go because it’s not much of a change for them.”

Fans are preparing a huge banner for Monday’s game at Burnley, also being screened on Sky, based on the 1960s TV series The Prisoner, which they intend to march under during further demonstrations.

Stephen King, chairman of Huddersfield Town Supporters’ Association, said: “We stand side by side because there are implications for us all, not just Huddersfield Town, but all football supporters.

“We feel if we just lie back and get us bellies tickled the implications are a lot wider.”

Dale Haslam, editor of redsaway, a travel website for Manchester United fans, is advising both groups of supporters.

He said: “It’s great that fans from the two clubs are working together and I find it rather ironic that West Yorkshire Police’s worst fear, that these two groups are going to confront each other and cause trouble, couldn’t be further from the truth.”