[Archived] Dingles Away travel advice

[Gav]

To be honest I'm not 100% (sorry reading back my reply looked a little blunt) but when I went to the premier league game I'm sure you got it once you were on the coach

You got tickets well in advance last season, not on the coach.

[Majiball]

You got tickets well in advance last season, not on the coach.

Is he not talking about when we were both in the premier league, not last season?

[West Yorks Rover]

To be honest I'm not 100% (sorry reading back my reply looked a little blunt) but when I went to the premier league game I'm sure you got it once you were on the coach

I think when Leeds and Millwall play each other they pick the tickets up at a designated service station and the coaches are escorted to the ground.

I've been telling people for years we live in a police state, but they're not listening !

I would tell people to boycott, but I know how much these games mean to people, wild horses would'nt have kept me away at one time.

No offence taken btw, just thought I was being a bit thick.

[Paul]

And how would you suppose they would get the tickets?

The ticket application form offers fans two options: collect from Ewood or signed for postal delivery at £5.65 to be paid by the fan.

[Gav]

Is he not talking about when we were both in the premier league, not last season?

His reply was aimed at West Yorkshire who was talking about a protest where fans made their own way to the match basically boycotting the transport laid on.

Do keep up old chap

[Tom]

His reply was aimed at West Yorkshire who was talking about a protest where fans made their own way to the match basically boycotting the transport laid on.

Do keep up old chap

Yep I was wrong I thought the arrangements meant you had to get the ticket on the coach making it impossible to travel there yourself with a ticket

Apologies

[McClarky]

Anyone know how sales are going. They are open to anyone on database now.

[McClarky]

No chance of open sale. I just phoned and there are only 10 coaches worth booked so far. 6.52 train here we come.

[tomphil]

My info from the Burnley end is that at NO STAGE will Burnley put tickets on open sale for the Turf Moor game whatever th level of sales

The thinking is that a lot of th troublemakers are either not on any Burnley FC database or are subject to existing bans so they only want people populating the ground who they can pinpoint and account for. Having said that they are selling up to 4 tickets per ST holder so even a few of the most unwelcome elements will presumably have the wherewithal to obtain them by some means

It would be no surprise to me if they didn't go on completely open sale at Ewood either - I can't believe the decision has been taken unilaterally without consultation

The source at Burnley said the two clubs believe they can only ever see the need for the heavy policing to be dispensed with if they can stay trouble free for a period of years and more or less build up a profile of every likely attendee and their likely behaviour

They were on open sale at Turf Moor for home fans on database for last seasons game as they had quite a few left leading up to the match, i know this for cast iron fact. Last night they only had 7k home supporters on for the so called big derby against North End. Ours are now on sale to database attenders, that's never happened so early before. 2k max from us i reckon. Well done Police, Clubs oh and the numpties, it looks like you may have just about killed this game off FFS !!!

[West Yorks Rover]

My info from the Burnley end is that at NO STAGE will Burnley put tickets on open sale for the Turf Moor game whatever th level of sales

The thinking is that a lot of th troublemakers are either not on any Burnley FC database or are subject to existing bans so they only want people populating the ground who they can pinpoint and account for. Having said that they are selling up to 4 tickets per ST holder so even a few of the most unwelcome elements will presumably have the wherewithal to obtain them by some means

It would be no surprise to me if they didn't go on completely open sale at Ewood either - I can't believe the decision has been taken unilaterally without consultation

The source at Burnley said the two clubs believe they can only ever see the need for the heavy policing to be dispensed with if they can stay trouble free for a period of years and more or less build up a profile of every likely attendee and their likely behaviour

Yup, we're not quite a police state yet, but certainly well on the way.

[Ben-2000]

They were on open sale at Turf Moor for home fans on database for last seasons game as they had quite a few left leading up to the match, i know this for cast iron fact. Last night they only had 7k home supporters on for the so called big derby against North End. Ours are now on sale to database attenders, that's never happened so early before. 2k max from us i reckon. Well done Police, Clubs oh and the numpties, it looks like you may have just about killed this game off FFS !!!

Correct and they didn't sell out (but wern't far off in the end)

[Paul]

Yep quite right. The police and the clubs have killed this match and personally I'm pleased to see more and more fans are refusing to be dictated to by the police.

Both clubs are being sent a clear message. It's up to them to sort it out.

It would be interesting to buy a ticket and then turn up for the game without going by coach. What would happen then?

[longsiders1882]

They were on open sale at Turf Moor for home fans on database for last seasons game as they had quite a few left leading up to the match, i know this for cast iron fact. Last night they only had 7k home supporters on for the so called big derby against North End. Ours are now on sale to database attenders, that's never happened so early before. 2k max from us i reckon. Well done Police, Clubs oh and the numpties, it looks like you may have just about killed this game off FFS !!!

Correct and they didn't sell out (but wern't far off in the end)

It's unhealthy this obsession with our attendance. It was midweek round 2 league cup game against lower league opposition. Bearing mind we are struggling to get people in for Saturday league games I'm surprised we had so many on in the end.

They aren't on open sale but are available to people with 100 loyalty points - no idea what that equates to attendance wise. At this point normally people are wondering if/how they'll get a ticket but this time there seems to be plenty available. Will still be the biggest attendance of the season (baring a really unlikely run at the play offs) but a home sell out doesnt feel likely at this point. A shame but I don't think all the blame can be laid t the polices door, some fairly uninspiring policies at both clubs are killing fans general interest. All IMHO of course

[Baz]

Yep quite right. The police and the clubs have killed this match and personally I'm pleased to see more and more fans are refusing to be dictated to by the police. Both clubs are being sent a clear message. It's up to them to sort it out. It would be interesting to buy a ticket and then turn up for the game without going by coach. What would happen then?

You wouldnt get to the turnstile Paul, they have them cordened off with steel frames 15 feet high blocking entire streets.

Last season I was in the main stand (company tickets) in the corner between the main stand and the Rovers fans. The aggro in the home areas was really congregated in one area, at the bottom of that stand level with the penalty area. I was told (by Burnley fans) that group had several banned and well known hooligans within. Equally last season, the area of the riverside adjoining the Darwen End had a lot of similar types, most of whom didnt appear to be regulars.

Truth is, if the restrictions were lifted there would be trouble, the likelihood is thats what some are actually out for too. The vast majority would be absolutely fine, but the travel should be recommended not compulsory. I still think a lot of the fans would use it, especially if the time difference between having to be at Ewood and kick-off was more realistic (say 1.5 hrs before game).

[longsiders1882]

Preston fans appeared to have turned up in numbers last night looking for trouble plus, according to their message board, even greater numbers of chavvy wannabes smashing up the chairs.

Unfortunately they are getting something of a reputation now and I won't be surprised to see this game in future policed in the same way as the Burnley/Rovers game - in other words things will only get worse not better!

[tomphil]

I think it is worth mentioning that the recent Leeds v Sheff Wed game at a similar time on tv saw only just over 1k Owls bother to attend. Obviously Leeds pricing the tckts £36 is the main reason there but look at the size of those two fanbases and their rivalry. I don't think there was travel restrictions so it just shows even the most loyal passionate fans will stay away when the feel aggrieved. This is £38.50 with travel so no great suprise if the visiting support is small.

[Ossydave]

So all these people who are massively against the horrendous 'draconian' (hell fire I hate that word purely because of it's use on here) measures.......

How WOULD you choose to travel to Turf Moor? Have you been by train before? You will be greeted by a heavy police presence at the station, you will be herded onto a massively over-crowded train, you will be greeted at the other end by yet more police, and you will be escorted straight to the ground, it's really not that exciting. See this clip if you don't believe me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-iFOqyFfPc

Would you travel by car? Then walk to the ground pretty much in silence so that no-one picked up on the fact you aren't a Burnley fan and chin you?

[Ossydave]

It's part and parcel of following football though unfortunately, the police dictate where you go and how you get there, it happens in most places. Leeds last season springs to mind, arrived at Varsity to be told we MUST get in one of the taxi's the police had arranged or face arrest, stupidity but there's very little you can do about it.

[tomphil]

It's part and parcel of following football though unfortunately, the police dictate where you go and how you get there, it happens in most places. Leeds last season springs to mind, arrived at Varsity to be told we MUST get in one of the taxi's the police had arranged or face arrest, stupidity but there's very little you can do about it.

Leeds last season 3 of us walked out of the station and straight into the pub across the road then several more pubs actually asking the police were best to go. They directed us to Wetherspoons which was packed with Rovers and Leeds fans and no bother at all. Police all over filming everyone but that was it then taxi to ground at 2.30, similar afterwards. Last time at Burnley we parked up the road near the cricket ground again walking down no bother. The morale is if you look for it you'll get it anywhere and if you turn up in large groups at train stations etc the old bill will corral you. The ones who want to make that choice should be allowed to and the ones who are bothered should travel by the offical organised transport or don't risk it at all. That has always been the way and yes nutters still about but it aint like the 80's now, far from it.

[Paul]

Would you travel by car? Then walk to the ground pretty much in silence so that no-one picked up on the fact you aren't a Burnley fan and chin you?

Yes. I'd simply make sure nothing on my car marked it out as being from Blackburn. Park a sensible distance from the ground and stroll along to the match. Last time we parked at the top of a big hill and walked down. That was it.

It's part and parcel of following football though unfortunately, the police dictate where you go and how you get there, it happens in most places. Leeds last season springs to mind, arrived at Varsity to be told we MUST get in one of the taxi's the police had arranged or face arrest, stupidity but there's very little you can do about it.

No it is NOT part and parcel of following football. I have been watching and following football since I was 12 and in 47 years I have never been ordered to do anything by anyone except when wanting to watch Rovers at Turf Moor.

In those 47 years when I was 19 I went to watch Spurs v Liverpool in the second leg semi-final of what is now called the UEFA cup at White Hart Lane. It was bedlam, we were very scared. Found a policeman in the ground and asked him for the safest way out. He replied "There isn't one."

So I've had one incident in 47 years when I felt genuinely frightened and three years ago at Bloomfield Road someone poured paint stripper on my car. I was parked a mile from the ground - football or not? I don't know.

I drive to football, I park my car, I walk quietly to the ground, if I think it's wise to do so I cover up my shirt and go in and support my team. Let me do that at Turf Moor and I'll go to the match. While someone tries to tell me, a quiet, 59 year old with no history of any trouble-making what to do I'll stay at home.

[Gav]

So all these people who are massively against the horrendous 'draconian' (hell fire I hate that word purely because of it's use on here) measures.......

How WOULD you choose to travel to Turf Moor? Have you been by train before? You will be greeted by a heavy police presence at the station, you will be herded onto a massively over-crowded train, you will be greeted at the other end by yet more police, and you will be escorted straight to the ground, it's really not that exciting. See this clip if you don't believe me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-iFOqyFfPc

Would you travel by car? Then walk to the ground pretty much in silence so that no-one picked up on the fact you aren't a Burnley fan and chin you?

Plenty of people would like to travel independently, you don't have to be wrapped up by the police on the train like the clip, they'd all been in the Jubilee for hours before getting to the station, isn't exactly a surprise that the police took control.

Anything is better than getting to Ewood at 9.30 and bring herded on to stationary buses for 90 minutes before they even set off.

[Ben-2000]

So all these people who are massively against the horrendous 'draconian' (hell fire I hate that word purely because of it's use on here) measures.......

How WOULD you choose to travel to Turf Moor? Have you been by train before? You will be greeted by a heavy police presence at the station, you will be herded onto a massively over-crowded train, you will be greeted at the other end by yet more police, and you will be escorted straight to the ground, it's really not that exciting. See this clip if you don't believe me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-iFOqyFfPc

Would you travel by car? Then walk to the ground pretty much in silence so that no-one picked up on the fact you aren't a Burnley fan and chin you?

I travelled by car to the Youth Cup game a couple of years ago, without a problem. Same for the game back in 2000.

[Ewood Spark]

I have travelled to this fixture over the years by train, coach and car, and had some very 'hairy moments'. For the last four visits the restrictions have been in place and I have not had any problems. Sure, we have to get to the ground a bit earlier, but in my experience this has added to the atmosphere. It has also meant I can take my family and be sure that they will be safe ... and for me that is the main thing.

[Hasta]

I have travelled to this fixture over the years by train, coach and car, and had some very 'hairy moments'. For the last four visits the restrictions have been in place and I have not had any problems. Sure, we have to get to the ground a bit earlier, but in my experience this has added to the atmosphere. It has also meant I can take my family and be sure that they will be safe ... and for me that is the main thing.

They could lift the restrictions but still provide official coach travel you know.

[Ewood Spark]

They could lift the restrictions but still provide official coach travel you know.

Not quite the same thing. For instance when we beat ManUre at Mold Trafford a few years ago I travelled on an official coach but still managed to get involved in a scuffle with a 'scummy cockney' coming out of the ground. There is no danger of a similar encounter at the Dingledome while the restrictions are in place.