The Ipswich Town Independent Supporters Trust has hit out at the switching of the Portman Road derby with Norwich City to a noon kick-off on Sunday 24th August and the lack of prior consultation with supporters’ groups.

In a statement the Trust said: “We would like to ask ITFC, NCFC and Suffolk police how much consultation with Ipswich and Norwich supporters' groups took place before the decision was taken.

“We feel that both organisations should always endeavour to liaise with fans before making decisions of this nature. Fans are the people who have the most detailed knowledge and experience of attending these fixtures.

“We also ask whether there were any prior discussion with Abellio Greater Anglia and other public transport providers.

“There is a particular problem for supporters travelling to the match by public transport this year, due to service alterations scheduled on lines from Stowmarket, Colchester, Cambridge, Lowestoft and Felixstowe on Sunday 24th August 2014 where buses will replace trains into Ipswich.

“This will make it difficult for supporters travelling any distance to attend the match due to the earlier start time and the move to Sunday.

“In the absence of any evidence of consultation, it is difficult to avoid reaching the conclusion that the timing of the game has been deliberately arranged to make it difficult for fans to get to it.

“Additionally, many Norwich City fans will be travelling on these routes and the possibility of groups of opposing supporters gathering to board coaches and travelling together on the same coach to and from the match will surely risk causing at least as many problems as the authorities are attempting to avoid by moving the game.

“ITFC 1st believe that, as the majority of supporters of both ITFC and NCFC are amongst the most law-abiding and peaceful of all football fans in England (supported by recent Home Office figures for both arrests and banning orders), the police and football club should seek to target known offenders rather than treat all fans as potential troublemakers in ways that raise tension and therefore could increase the risk of clashes.”

The Trust say they will be putting their questions regarding the derby rescheduling to the relevant authorities.

Alasdair Ross, chair of Ipswich Town 1st, added: “Ipswich supporters have been looking forward to an East Anglian derby for several years now, and we’re sure that the prospect of renewing rivalries is something that softened the blow of relegation for Norwich fans too. With sensible, restrained, supporter-friendly policing, this is a fixture that everyone can look forward to.

“The fixture appears to have been rearranged without any thought for supporters. We note that the kick-off time may yet be moved for the benefit of Sky TV, but not for the fans!

“Given the relatively low risk of serious trouble at this match, we urge both ITFC and the police to reconsider their decision and reschedule the match to Saturday 23rd August at 3pm so that as many fans as possible can travel to the game and enjoy the game.”

Photo: Action Images

rayman_10 added 09:15 - Jul 2 Can't help but to agree with them. This is poor from the Suffolk constabulary.
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FifeITFC added 09:24 - Jul 2 Given that this has been pretty much the norm in recent years, why such the surprise etc? They had one game as an evening kick off and 19 people were arrested and a number of fans confronted a group of Norwich fans stopping them getting into the ground for kick off. Is the change really that much of a surprise?
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Gobbs69 added 09:28 - Jul 2 Dear ITFC, Please could you move the game back to the Saturday , as I have something else planned on the Sunday. Regards Gobbs
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gazzmac4 added 09:35 - Jul 2 Lets be honest, the change of day and time is annoying but when the list came out we all saw it coming right? I will be traveling from MK and although the early KO time is annoying it wont put me off attending. The trust has overlooked the real issue which is the small minority who will use the event as an excuse to drink too much and look for trouble. This is the main reason the time is so early and frankly i would rather attend a traditionally hostile derby atmosphere without trouble than a dangerous one where i feel at risk just by walking to and from my car. They are being naive if they think that there wont be any trouble at any times though, i reckon!

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jas0999 added 09:36 - Jul 2 I think the problem here is the game in Norwich remains on a Saturday, suggesting that Norfolk police do not share the concerns of Suffolk constabulary. Fair enough if both games were changed. However considering the travel problems on the Sunday, it seems like a poor decision to move the game. There has been no thought for the fans.
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cornishblu added 09:39 - Jul 2 Totally agree with the Trust.....consulate with the supporters... Simples
2

carlisleaway added 10:07 - Jul 2 With inside information, I think you will find it was NCFC who complained about all the trouble their fans came up against at the last visit to Portman Road. As mentioned we all knew this was going to happen and I believe some fans on this board just like to moan.....
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whosroundisitanyway added 10:16 - Jul 2 In total agreement with the Trust, where else in the country does this happen other than for TV. The crazy rescheduling of these games causes the problems not solve them. The debacle that was the Thursday night game (who plays football on a Thursday night for pity's sake!!?) meant that many Town fans, some taking the afternoon off work, went on the lash from lunchtime onwards leaving them more than suitably refreshed by the time the enemy landed. Also you won't stop those who want a drink from doing so by moving the kick off time/date, they'll just start earlier. All of the unnecessary attention drawn to this fixture only serves to 'Hype it up' and creates the problem before its even started. Saturday afternoon is the time for football, Sunday mornings are for reading the papers and the smell of roasting meat.

5

verulam added 10:57 - Jul 2 This should never have been changed. As the Trust rightly points out, the rail engineering work scheduled for the Sunday will cause major problems for fans who will now have to resort to buses and cars. I am not looking forward to the latter stages of my 90 mile drive from Hertfordshire and the subsequent scramble for a car parking space.
2

essextractorboy93 added 11:07 - Jul 2 Crazy decision to move the match to a 12 o clock kick off, fans travelling from Norfolk and other parts of Suffolk and also fans from Essex won't be able to use the trains, roads will be mayhem in and around the stadium, will be hard to find parking spaces. I also find it ridiculous that Abellio Great Anglia can't re-arrange their engineering works. They can't get anything right! Yes the fixtures were released after they had already decided it would take place that weekend but surely common sense has to come into it. They need to come to a reasonable decision soon.

0

scooterblue added 11:24 - Jul 2 the rail works are planned 18 months in advance so that cannot be changed at the drop of a hat.
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TractorBoyOlly added 11:27 - Jul 2 And for those of us that live in Ipswich and support our local team we won't have a problem! If its such an issue, it will most likely be on Sky anyway so what's the issue?
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CornardBlue added 12:03 - Jul 2 All this talk of kick off times just confirms who really runs football and controls our great game. It is not the FA or the police or the clubs it is Sky TV. If it was going to be shown live on Sunday lunchtime there would have been no complaints from the Police or anyone else, and I am sure Sky would not worry if there were no trains running. The Fulham game is a prime example there fans can spend a lovely day in Ipswich drinking all day but because it is on Sky the Police have no complaints about the kick off time. I Recall the Leicester game a few years ago on a Saturday evening live on Sky, the snow was so bad in should have been called off no thought then was given to supporters who had to get home after the game. If the Police want the Norwich game on a Sunday why don't they ask for the Millwall or Leeds games to be moved when there is always trouble from there fans.

2

shanelomax1 added 12:08 - Jul 2 I can't understand why it is being changed I don't mind the early start but keep it to sat if they have changed it so people won't drink so much after the game due to work Monday It's a BANK HOLIDAY . As for the previous comment about supporting your local team people do move I have supported town all my life and I now live in ely which I travel to every home game on the train now with the change of day I won't be able to travel by train due to the works

2

Mark added 12:37 - Jul 2 It seems crazy to hold the derby on a day when the trains are not running. I can see they want to take the sting out of the match, but a Sunday lunchtime just doesn't feel right and takes away somewhat from the occasion in my opinion. If it's about not wanting people to drink at lunchtime before the game, why not noon Saturday?
2

hampstead_blue added 12:38 - Jul 2 Interesting piece. Not sure about the role of the trust in rescheduling. Many of the decisions are about policy and law. Some of the language is a touch overblown. Statements such as '“In the absence of any evidence of consultation, it is difficult to avoid reaching the conclusion that the timing of the game has been deliberately arranged to make it difficult for fans to get to it." That's pushing it bit I think. Conspiracy theories have no place at a reasoned conversation. Ok, it's no convenient, but you've got to trust that there are reasons, and good ones, which have caused this change. I'd like a more balanced approach from Mr Ross. The club and authorities will shun this type of communication.

1

BYRNE_16 added 12:50 - Jul 2 Yes they should have consulted fans about the change of date, but we all knew from previous derby days that dates do change! Until we hear from ITFC, NCFC or the police themselves then we are second guessing the reason for the change of date. I can understand probably the reason why, Saturday is historically the most busiest shopping days that Ipswich has, if you then add 30000 supporters trying to get to and from the match the you could have potential issues. I think what both clubs should do is offer transport on derby days to and from the game if there are going to be issues on the trains.

0

Seasider added 13:27 - Jul 2 Well done to the Trust for once again speaking up,something which the Supporters club when it was independent used to do. I was pleased to see that it was originally planned for Saturday but feared a move. Feel this decision has been taken without due consideration of the railwork. The trouble at last match was not on a Sunday. Valid point made that match would be played at anytime Sky required. Norwich game still being played on a Saturday,if request has come from them its a Bl..dy disgrace. Once again thank you to the trust for looking after the interest of ITFC fans

0

truckerblue added 13:34 - Jul 2 Seems to me that plod are causing more problems than they think they're solving!
1

bigfatjoe87 added 13:56 - Jul 2 Plenty of time to make the arrangements now. I for one would like it to be sorted as quick as possible. i think this change was to be expected giving most derbies do be changed to this hour.
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itfc1981 added 14:08 - Jul 2 Perhaps the game should be played in Guam with a 6.30am kick off to reduce the risk of trouble for Suffolk constabulary?
2

forensic_bloo added 14:51 - Jul 2 Merseyside, Manchester and London Derbies have all kicked off at "normal" times in recent years (be it 3,4, or 5 on Sat or sun) so these things can be policed if necessary. However, nice work by the trust with getting the relegation into their statement..... "and we're sure that the prospect of renewing rivalries is something that softened the blow of relegation for Norwich fans" :)

0

verulam added 15:21 - Jul 2 This was all so easily avoidable. As Scooterblue noted, the engineering works are planned months in advance so all that is needed is for that information to be fed into the FA match scheduling computer so that it knows to avoid this type of fixture on that date. Some organisations don't seem to have quite made it into the 21st century!
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