I predict a riot
Unlike the postponement of the England versus The Netherlands International Friendly and cup games in London, the decision to call off our League Cup 1st Round tie at Ashton Gate yesterday did come as a surprise.
Whatever my own thoughts regarding delaying the fixture until the 24th August being a tad of an overeaction by the authorities, clearly being tucked up in suburban Swindon I’m hardly directly affected by the disorder, for now at least.
If the police are desperately needed elsewhere to confront these idiotic mindless thugs to provide a visable presence, deterrant and reassurance to the public in those areas, homes and businesses affected then so be it. This situation needs to be brought under control and not soon enough.
That being said aren’t we are missing the point slightly, overlooking the reasons why football matches frequently need to be heavily policed in the first place and forgetting the largely alcohol fulled violence by so called fans. Yes, it’s of an entirely different scale and Lou Macari’s Chippy outside Old Trafford isn’t in any real threat of being burnt down by a bunch of angry scousers, but football hooliganism remains real and regular.
Before the FA and Joey Barton can criticise the rioters and call for an end to the violence we must be able to fully understand the evil forces within and get our own house in order. Yes, that also includes some players through their on the pitch actions. Without the potential of violence associated with football there was every chance games could go ahead with minimal policing and steward led security.
So having condemned the rioting are supporters.. oh wait… hooligans all over the country going to listen and restrain themselves to anything other than good olde banter..? Perhaps not.
The Washbag 
I think there is a vast difference between football hooliganism and the looting which has gone on this week. For a start, the vast majority of football hooligans will only cause trouble with other, like-minded hooligans. These looters/rioters this week were indiscriminate in their criminality.
Also, I don’t see many football hooligans setting property on fire or, for that matter, thieving from members of the public.
Sorry but I think this article is well wide of the mark.
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Thanks for your comment. I’m not comparing the two as equal at all, specifically referring to them being of an entirely different scale and commenting hooligans aren’t going to burn down Lou Macari’s chippy…
To reiterate the point I was making. I was condemning both (entirely different) forms of violence in the hope that reduced football hooliganism would ultimately reduce police presence at matches.
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Now the game at Cheltenham has been postponed, now this is a total shock!
As Watkins says:
“We have played Cheltenham seven times before and it is not a fixture that has been tarnished with any trouble.”
Exactly. This is such a low risk fixture surely they could increase the steward presence at the game by bringing over some from Swindon or Gloucester Rugby? Plus the unrest has quieten day significantly and happens in the evening / late night when the match is played at 3pm.
Why is this the only other game (with Spurs v Everton) that is affected?!
What next…is the Supermarine game at home to Brackley this weekend going to be postponed? No Sunday League football? The Gloucestershire police are a joke if they can’t resource a few bobbies down at Whaddon Road…
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It would be interesting to see how many of Gloucestershire’s finest will be on loan that night with the Met or in Brum. Is it more lucrative or does it draw more kudos than policing your own patch?
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I like the concept of riot police on loan. Perhaps we could get one to play up front. Didn’t Di Canio want a big bloke who could dominate high up the field and hold up the ball. With the shield and batton surely no player would dare challenge…
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