- Jun 27, 2012
- 14,567
Very surprised that for the first time in a decade going to Selhurst then the Albion fans were allowed to walk side by side with Palace fans after the match last night. There was no traditional holding back fans to be escorted back kettle style to Norwood Junction for special trains. I left after about the last 10 minutes or so , went to go to the toilet (shut - "broken by the fans" said a steward) and then walked up the hill at the back of the Arthur Wait expecting to be going nowhere but there was no sign of a police barrier. However the mingling and a few examples of "banter" meant there were already police horses getting a work out . It was pretty intimidating stuff for both sets of fans and certainly for a fair few Palace/Albion fans with their kids anticipating the fringe elements of their support looking for a workout seemed nervous and i'm torn as to whether it was the right decision or not.
That said in the end I didn't really see any incidents on the 10 minute walk back to the station and although there was some safety issues on the train platforms and I witnessed a couple of arrests - it seemed to go off with less issues than Dunk and Sanchez in the tunnel. There was still a hefty police presence nonetheless , with the usual barking dogs, rows of vans lurking in the background and some minimal stewarding/interventions to get fans on their way.
Happy to get home earlier than normal though and the spirit of the Albion fans bouyed by the equaliser perhaps helped the situation but it was strange.
Perhaps new tactics from the police ? Lack of numbers to enforce the kettling ? Forced by the train situation ?.
That said in the end I didn't really see any incidents on the 10 minute walk back to the station and although there was some safety issues on the train platforms and I witnessed a couple of arrests - it seemed to go off with less issues than Dunk and Sanchez in the tunnel. There was still a hefty police presence nonetheless , with the usual barking dogs, rows of vans lurking in the background and some minimal stewarding/interventions to get fans on their way.
Happy to get home earlier than normal though and the spirit of the Albion fans bouyed by the equaliser perhaps helped the situation but it was strange.
Perhaps new tactics from the police ? Lack of numbers to enforce the kettling ? Forced by the train situation ?.