Reports from the post..... TONIGHT'S Bristol derby match was marred by a pitch invasion and violence between supporters of City and Rovers. please log in to view this image The final whistle at Ashton Gate was followed by a pitch invasion by a group of home fans - condemned as "disgraceful" by City manager Sean O'Driscoll. Three police officers were injured and although only 12 arrests had been confirmed by 10.30pm, that figure is likely to rise as police look through CCTV recordings and video posted online from in and around the ground. The officer in charge of policing the match criticised the "small minority of hooligans" who ruined the match for the majority of fans. There were running battles outside the stadium, 20 minutes after the final whistle. A group of Rovers fans managed to break through the lines of riot police and confront City fans who were similarly intent on trouble. For a couple of minutes the police struggled to contain the sheer numbers and pitched battles were fought in the car park of the KFC restaurant in Winterstoke Road before riot police went in to restore order. Police then marched the City element away from the stadium up Winterstoke Road, with a dog unit standing by in case further trouble flared. Further violence was reported near Greville Smyth Park, near the ground. Police said that there had been a perfect build-up to the game with both sets of fans well-behaved and in good humour - but trouble first broke out as fans moved towards the stadium, with the first flashpoint outside the Miners Arms pub in Bedminster Down Road, where objects were thrown at a minibus containing Rovers fans. Asked about the invasion, City manager Sean O'Driscoll said: "I think it's disgraceful. We're in the second round of the JPT and it's almost like we've got promoted to the Championship. I can understand rivalry but not hostility. We've got police horses on the pitch, the poor groundsman is going to have a right job. So it doesn't help, it's just stupid." Match commander Chief Superintendent Caroline Peters said: "We warned before the match that we would not tolerate any form of anti-social behaviour or violence. We will now aim to bring the offenders to justice using CCTV coverage and other intellegence and information gathered tonight to bring the offenders to justice." Video here of some trouble afterwards: [video]http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid2522818775001?bckey=AQ~~,AAABKPKaGak~,TpOrUJp AbLgGxuXzl9bPBh1WGq4tomUE&bctid=2649910732001[/video] .
To be honest, it all seems a bit handbags. I think the Post has really exaggerated the scale of the problems because they desperately need to boost their flagging circulation. I could be wrong, but that video was lots of people running about and a few police horses. I get fed up with the phrase 'a small minority ruins it for the rest'. I'm sure that the vast majority didn't have their evening ruined at all (apart from Gasheads cos we lost ). There was always going to be a certain amount of trouble because there will always be an idiotic element that follows football in any city, Bristol included. But if you listen to everything the media says you'd think we're all going to hell in a handcart, which we're not (apart from Massive ). Oh, and I'm sure I saw McGas in there somewhere, buggering a police horse.
The post has exaggerated, So has everyone, City fans ran on the pitch went to the rovers fans, You lot sang and so did we, Fans were then took off the pitch, End of. You're fans were no saints last night, Racism and chucking coins at a 12 year old boy who now has a lump on his head. It all seems like trying to 1 up everyone. Trouble was minimal last night and its made out to be like it was a mass brawl by media
Shiny, im not trying to point score, i just copied and pasted the post report. The report also stats Rovers fan started some trouble after the game outside so im not saying were all innocent. Were certainly not angels. As the title says, I hate to do this as I was praying both sides behave themselves. Such a shame because it wqs a good game. I only seen what sky showed. It didnt show the issues during the game in the corner where ROD has reported Rovers fans causing trouble. It did show City fans along the dolman stand being very abusive in the faces of Rovers players and spitting at players and it showed the pitch invasion with City fans going to the Rovers fans. I have seen comments from Rovers fans saying they were pelted with seats, coins amongst over things. Definately case of both as bad as each other. Dont think im trying to point score here. They will make future games bubble matches because of mindless twats on both sides. Im not denying what Rovers fans have done. I didnt see it but the post, you, ROD and others have said so and I believe that.
Shiny, your idiots were doing the coin throwing mate, throwing coins at small kids in our crowd, and according to a couple of friends of mine who were there, one tosser threw the corner flag "like a javelin" at a child no older than 10. SCUM However, I am sure both sets of fans caused some problems last night, it was always going to happen and always will happen.
The 12 year old boy im referring to is Scott Murrays son who was a ball boy in front of your lot. I'm not trying to defend our idiots but I wont sit here and have it look like it was just our fans....
Rovers fans charged the Williams stand where they knew full well the police would stop them and they couldn't get up the wall? But when City came on to the pitch they ran to the back? Now I'm not condoning anything here but if they were all up for it?? Where did they all go when it came on top.? That was what started it inside the ground.. Also that clip that CJS put up did you hear the copper at the end say "I don't get paid enough to go in that lot"
Met plenty of your type throughout my years, you're one of those that like to load the gun and leave someone else to fire it, you're no better than the idiots who confronted your fans or those the threw coins etc. Gutless ****.
Chris I don't know you, but from your posts over the years I don't think you would throw a coin at Scott Murray (and I know your comment was an attempt at humour). There are morons on both sides - we as fans need to work with the clubs to identify them and let the justice system deal with them.
delboy, chill out, no need to be like that here. you miss understood chris's comment. it was just banter to wind you all up. good comment smbcfc
