Police fear there may be ' Considerable public disorder ' and the match is only going ahead after a row about the unexpected expense of policing the game had been settled with the organising committee. The committee has had to increase the price of tickets by over 20% plus to cover the cost of staging the game,the police wanted to issue a charge of £108k but have compromised to eventually reduce the price to £40k,this and internal stewarding cost are the reasons given for the increase in the price of tickets. Avon and Somerset police say the game's organising committee arranged the match without consulting them first and ignored pleas from both the force and the FA not to hold the friendly during the Olympics, which is already putting a strain on police resources as the force is required to send officers to bolster security. Rather than cancel the game, the organising committee has decided to raise prices from £12 for adults, £10 for senior citizens and £8 for under-16s to £15, £12 and £10 respectively. He has raised his break-even attendance figure from 5,000 fans to 5,800.It is also rumoured that the East End will be not be used by our fans for the game,what will this lead too future closure for certain games. Mr Fear,a member of the committee told the Evening Post of his frustration and anger at police costs he describes as "outrageous".He said: "This is the first time in Bristol football history that the police have reacted in this manner and it is having a detrimental impact on our ability to stage a game that both clubs and the wider public desperately want to see go ahead. Mr Fear claims it is impossible to stage the fixture at any other time. He said: "It is not practical to arrange a testimonial game during the regular season and, therefore, we are forced to fit in with the pre-season programmes of both clubs."I fully understand how stretched the police are, but Bristol City and Rovers and Louis Carey's benefit committee should not be placed in this situation. Both football clubs are keen to promote goodwill between the two sets of supporters and I have a commitment from both that they will do their utmost to promote this game as a family affair." "An appeal was also issued nationally by the Football Association to all clubs in the country, asking them not to organise any high-risk fixtures during the Olympics."The testimonial committee ignored the advice of the FA and arranged the match and went public with their plans before consulting us." Although the Olympic's is a massive and prestigous event,it takes place over 100 miles away,they say the game will only attract 5k to 6k people,how can the police justify an initial cost of £108k,then reduce it to £40K,are they not capable of policing a crowd of 6k,which is smaller than your average football match,suddenly they can reduce their cost by over £68k,are they control freaks,moaning because the clubs announced the details before they had been consulted. Why do we continue to get all these problems with sport in our city,it seems a mystery to me,are they trying to make us a backwater and become the city of boredom... http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/story-16247939-detail/story.html This a local football game,greatly looked forward too by most Bristol football fans and we just want to attend the game and support a Bristol lad who has been a great servant to our club.
im ****ing pissed off they've have given those scummy bastards the whole eastend, 3,000 tickets!!! they don't even get that for a home game What a joke!
It's very sad that a Testimonial should warrant such a Police reaction. However both clubs have 'nutters' and the Police feel they should cover all possible situations. Comments such as 'they've have given those scummy bastards the whole eastend' doesn't help Louis Carey's 'day in the sun' one little bit.
i'M SORRY SHINY THAT IS EXACTLY THE INFLAMMATORY LANGUAGE THAT THE POLICE WILL PICK ON TO PROVE THAT THEY ARE CORRECT. IT'S A PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY / TESTIMONIAL FOR LOUIS CAREY. NOT A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH FOR THE TWO CLUBS OR SUPPORTERS!
You're in a Catch 22 situation with this one. Surely you want a good attendance for Carey's sake, but comments like that and Shiny's are not going to help. Many Rovers' fans are going to ask themselves why pay £15! to support Carey and go through all the hassle you are hinting at.
It would be nice for "gasheads" to turn up,if only 1500 came we could still get 10000 fans of our own there,we are not dependent on BRFC,a good event for Louis is what we want,so let us hope we have a friendly,enjoyable,harmonious game.. I'll be going regardless of a few "gasheads", I've enjoyed and watched Louis playing since he was a teenager and that is what's important to me..
Well said cidered. Seems a few folk on here have completely missed the point and the attitude displayed justifies the polices stance. I'll be very suprised if we sell 1k tickets TBH. Hope it all goes well for LC, he's been a good servant to you and deserves the recognition.
well the eastend is our end, im sorry if 2 swear words upset people, but its our end where the only section of the stadium sings, and now we wont get to support louis from there, this was terribly planned, as people have said 1500 for them and we can have the rest. Just annoyed we cant support and thank louis for what hes done in the comfort of our own stand!
The more I consider it the more I think this match is well-intentioned but unwise. Firstly both clubs are presently doing all they can to convince future neighbours that they need have no fears about living near a football stadium. Any hint of trouble and it will be seized upon. Secondly you usually reward a long serving player with a match against a higher- placed club. Even as a Rovers' supporter I'd have to say that efforts should have been made to get a Premier League team XI as opposition. And finally there's the result. A loss for us will not be such a big deal as a loss for you. No matter what anyone says bragging rights will be at stake. However if we lose we can say it was only a pre-season match, away, against a team two divisions above us. If you lose I can see it getting rather unpleasant. Yeah, perhaps it wasn't such a good idea after all.
It is fitting for the Bristolian that his testimonial game will come against City's near neighbours and greatest rivals. Louis said this....... Carey, 35, said: "I'm truly grateful to the club, Bristol Rovers and everyone involved in arranging this game, especially my testimonial committee. "It's the first time to two sides have met for some time and it should be a really fun day. "It's my chance to thank the supporters for their backing in my time at the club over so many years. I've enjoyed every minute of my time at Ashton Gate and I'm so grateful to have the chance to play for another season. "A Bristol derby to really kick start the 2012/13 season will be great, like the olden days of the Gloucestershire Cup. I can't wait for the match." http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Loui...rby-Rovers-v/story-16086351-detail/story.html Enough said for me..
Put your thinking cap back on Shiny and concentrate on Bristol City. This is a game that should command respect from both teams because it is to honour a City great in Louis Carey. Enough said.
well i'm sure that 99.9% of gasheads will agree.. there will always be a few mindless idiots who will only want to cause distruction.
Both clubs have some right nutters, they are however not true City or Rovers fans, will be better for everyone if they kept away........I for one would love to see those blue & white quarters coming out onto the Ashton Gate pitch, always a special occasion for me has it would be for louis!!
The point is that everyone has to behave themselves If Rovers sell 3k tickets then great It's Louis' night and everyone needs to respect that
