Gutted i cant make it..... Police are preparing a derby day style policing operation as Sunderland take on Celtic this weekend. Up to 8,000 fans of the Scottish club are expected to travel to the region for the match at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, Sunderland Football Club have said. Now Northumbria Police has warned that it will not tolerate any disorder inside or outside of the match. The game on Saturday, July 29th, is a pre-season friendly which also celebrates 20 years since the Stadium of Light first opened its doors. The event also marks 50 years since Celtic won the European Cup. Northumbria Police has said that there will be a “highly visible policing presence” at the Stadium of Light, in Sunderland and in Newcastle on Saturday. A lot of the fans will travel by coach but Nexus are bracing themselves for a busy day on the Metro as some fans will travel by rail via Newcastle Central Station. A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “Northumbria Police is proud of the fantastic reputation that we have for policing football in this region. “However, we will not tolerate disorder inside or outside the stadium and we will have a highly visible policing presence at the Stadium of Light and surrounding cities on the day. “Disorder at our football matches has fallen in recent years, and we trust fans to work together with police and the football clubs to maintain this. “Metros and trains will be extremely busy and fans are advised to plan their transport to the game in advance, leaving plenty of time for their journey and where possible travel together to avoid congestion. “Our priority is the safety of the public, we will be speaking with fans, and will be available to offer any advice or reassurance that they might need.” They added: “The North East is one of the most passionate places in the country when it comes to sport, and that is something we want to celebrate.” Extra Metro trains are on stand-by to cope with large numbers of fans expected to descend on the region. Celtic supporters will be among the first to enjoy the newly revamped Stadium of Light Metro station, which has been given a red and white facelift ahead of the new season. A Nexus spokesman said: “We will have extra trains on stand-by on Saturday, if needed, although the vast majority of visiting fans are expected to come direct by coach. We work with the football club and police to plan for high profile football matches in Sunderland. “Metro gives the Stadium of Light among the most frequent train services for a ground outside London, and we will have extra staff to welcome and assist visitors to the region.” Celtic supporters have a chequered history at pre-season friendlies in the region and in 2007 there were 15 arrests following clashes after a friendly against Newcastle United.
I would have liked to be there to mark the 20th anniversary. I'm not going without the bairn though and it's not a game I'd take her too. The Celtic fans are proper ****ers.
Just goes to show how much of a big club Celtic are (aswell as Rangers), and how they're wasted in that amateur league.
I might head over. I think there will be small spats of bother but that's par for the course with that many away fans and jocks at that. Overall it should be a good day out. We should have a home friendly every year. Athletic Bilbao would be great opposition one year as there's a bit of history between the clubs.
Not going to this, you only need to get caught up in one incident and a season's ban could be forced on me. Celtic will be looking for trouble. **** that. I'll wait for the Derby game. 8000? ****ing hell. There'll be hell on. No ta.
Sure there was around 15,000 Rangers at Roker park in 1993 Bennet testimonial? There was hell on then and there will be on saturday.
About 8,000 mate,,they had the cut off Roker End and some of the Clock Stand paddock..Loads of bother that night as well..
I will be going, but on night shift so not going for a beer.. I will be amazed if people don't get hurt this weekend..
