Suffolk police have issued advice to Town supporters travelling to Milan for next Thursday's UEFA Cup second leg with Inter Milan. The Italian police are reported to be aware of Town's good reputation, however they are setting very strict rules.
Chief Superintendent Aldwyn Jones visited Milan recently for a pre-match briefing. We also hear that the police had the major role in securing the extra 2,000 tickets for Town supporters after warning their Italian counterparts of the large number of ticketless fans likely to travel.
According to Chief Superintendent Jones the Italians are expecting Town supporters to be in the ground two hours before kick-off. Fans will be searched as they enter and coins, bottles, flags and cans are likely to be confiscated. Supporters are expected to take paper money rather than coins and we take it the refreshment bars don't give change.
Town fans can also expect to have to remain in the ground for about an hour after the match. Supporters who have drunk heavily before the game could find difficulty in getting into the stadium.
The police also advise anyone who has not got a ticket not to travel to Milan. However, despite the extra 2,000 tickets it is expected that a number of Town supporters have secured tickets in the Italian sections and others will attempt to do so while out there.
Fans are also warned that pickpockets are a threat in some areas of the city.
Chief Superintendent Jones said: "I have been advised by the chief of police in Milan that the procedures they are adopting for the game are standard when fans from Europe are visiting. Having spoke to him I feel it is my responsibility to make the fans aware of what they can expect when they arrive in Milan as some of the security procedures are far more rigid than those they would encounter at some English clubs."
It's also a bit of a contrast to the friendly and welcoming reception we received in Helsingborg in the last round.