...with people buying tickets for the Lokeren game. ITV are outside interviewing people in the queue about the risk of violence at the game. I hope everyone tells them there won't be any and the Lokeren fans will be as welcome here as we were there.
The Ulltras are talking to the Lokeren fans about meeting up and walking with them to the ground, they're all meeting at the Admiral Of The Humber if anyone fancies joining in.
They ought to speak to the OB if that's what they want to do. I would imagine the riot gear is being polished as we speak, they don't seem to understand that football fans are people.
David Burns banging on all morning about what a great opportunity this is to make a good impression on our friends from Belgium. Not only because of the match but in terms of showing our visitors the City's attractions, bars, restaurants etc. Anyone in business worthy of their salt should be meeting our guests off the ferry and at the very least advertising their business. Let's hope that this week boosts our image as COC 2017 and that things aren't ruined by either a few mindless idiots or by over zealous policing.
I know of a few groups meeting fans and taking them round places like old town, marina, Princes Ave and Newland Ave.
That shouldn't be published as it will now probably never happen. Old bill will be down on that like a sack of bricks. They'll probably call the arms police in and fire tear gas into the pub to separate both sets of fans.
Unfortunately there is always the risk that our idiots feel the need to retaliate. If they don't turn up in riot gear and it kicks off they'd be criticised for being under prepared. If they do turn up in riot gear and it goes without incident they'll get criticised for being over zealous. Damned if they do, damned if they don't really.
I've seen people calling for a 'fans park' to be set up for them in West Park but who the hell wants to spend all day in a soggy dreary park? They'll want to be in the city centre where they can drift in and out of pubs/restaurants pop back to their hotels if they need to. Said this on Twitter but Trinity Square should be the focal point, bring in a few beer wagons, deck the square out abit and put on a few bands. Perfect setting to spend the day, they need to be shown the best of Hull not Admiral/Anlaby Road and West Park ffs.
It's a very good idea, but they've already been told they have to go to the Admiral Of The Humber and as any sort of fan park involves the club working with the council, it simply won't happen.
15,000 tickets sold by 10.00am this morning... http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/1415-lokeren-h-tickets-general-1876092.aspx
Is that number pre general sale starting? Seems a fair few ST holders have given it a pass. I'm not going, I travelled all the frigging way to Belgium last week to watch the pissing reserves, I ain't travelling another mile to watch that sack of ****.
According to Burnsy the club wanted to set up a fan park but ran into difficulties with the council. Now there's a surprise... Burnsy tried to contact the council but couldn't get any answer as they have given themselves another day off after the Bank Holiday. Another surprise...
The council are clueless. And to think we pay for people to work on behalf of the tourist trade in this city. We, means the tax payer. They are absolutely hopeless. 1,400 people coming over to spend a night and three days in the city centre and it will be as dead as a doornail after 6.00 pm. Nothing organised, nothing arranged. How do these people stay in work?
I think it's only football fans who are all treated like potential criminals , at other times we welcome tourists and try to ensure they have a good time in our city