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.”