Police move fixture

Last updated : 03 April 2003 By Tony Scholes

Burnley Football Club have stated that they and the Sheffield club were both keen to keep the normal 3:00 p.m. kick off time but the police felt that on safety grounds the 1:30 p.m. kick off would be more appropriate.

So that’s the end of the matter is it? The police have decided to change it, they say it is more appropriate because of safety grounds and everyone has to change because of them.

It’s just not good enough. If there is a legitimate reason to move the kick off, and we are not saying there is no legitimate reason, then those responsible for the change should be explaining why.

‘More appropriate because of safety grounds’ is no answer at all. Many supporters will be extremely inconvenienced by this but does that bother them? Have they considered the supporters who travel long distances to get to the games? Almost certainly not.

If the police decided to move fixtures then they should be duty bound to explain exactly why and not come up with the ‘more appropriate’ comment that has been publicised today.