Local authorities push for earlier derby kick-off

, 23 December, 17comments | Jump to most recent

Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council have informed the Premier League of their objections to the scheduling of the Goodison derby for an evening kick-off.

Everton's clash with Liverpool on 7th February was put back to 5.30pm for live television coverage but both the council and local police are uncomfortable with late weekend games.

"An evening kick-off time at a weekend is undoubtedly the most challenging and gives us the least chance of meeting our responsibilities," a police report stated.

"It is for this reason we, the police, have specifically requested that this fixture should have a lunchtime kick-off."

The BBC report that the Premier League may face legal action to get the match moved.

Reader Comments (17)

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Tony J Williams
1 Posted 23/12/2014 at 17:26:54

Expected that, I was surprised when I saw the time for the Derby released

Jim Bennings
2 Posted 23/12/2014 at 17:25:44

When will they realise if there is people out there intent on causing trouble, the kick off time has nothing to do with it.

ItÂ’s bad enough that the fans never have a 3pm Saturday home match anymore without the local constabulary trying to force another daft early kick off to subdue the atmosphere even further.

Conor Waters
3 Posted 23/12/2014 at 17:25:41

So its ok to play this fixture at 4pm on a Sunday or at 7.45pm on a Tuesday night, but not 5.30pm on a Saturday just cannot happen? I don't live locally but surely it can't make that much of a difference, or cause such a big headache for the police. I mean, we've already played Chelsea and Arsenal at the same time slot this season. And they're more likely to cause trouble.

Its backward thinking like this, pre-empting trouble, that creates a negative attitude towards football fans. A bit like how booze is readily available and being guzzled down by fans in their seats at rugby and cricket matches, but is forbidden within football grounds, well at least in your seat. Fucking social class profiling is what it is.

Nick Entwistle
4 Posted 23/12/2014 at 17:40:42

Awww what's the matter? The Police don't want to actually police?

Paul Tran
5 Posted 23/12/2014 at 18:01:46

Can't afford the treble time, Nick. They're probably reading what people are saying on both sides' forums and are bracing themselves!

Nick Entwistle
6 Posted 23/12/2014 at 18:51:32

I could imagine something possibly maybe potentially happening if being top dog on Merseyside meant something. But who's going to get into a dingdong off the back of a tallest dwarf competition?

Patrick Murphy
7 Posted 23/12/2014 at 18:55:44

Whilst our local council and police are worrying about a possible problem, I wonder if the London authorities have the same worries about March 1st 2015 when it is a possibility that Spurs could play Liverpool in the League cup final at Wembley whilst Everton travel to Arsenal for a PL televised fixture. Obviously we all hope that the Wembley final doesn't include our neighbours.

Chris Butler
8 Posted 23/12/2014 at 19:38:08

What a load of nonsense just typical of the council and the police creating problems where non exist. Morons will be morons do the police honestly think these people care what time kick off the match is. Arsenal v Spurs was played at 5:30 and there wasn't any trouble. As people have said they are paid the police not ruin the game for the vast majority of fans by playing it at some ridiculous time.

Peter Murray
9 Posted 23/12/2014 at 21:18:41

Nick Entwhisle (#4):

Yes, the police do police Â– and do it well... despite a Bullington Club of nasty posh boys determined to smash them and therefore the security of our local communities Â– which includes all those around Goodison Park.

Have you ever been away with the Blues abroad? How about Lille? Now thatÂ’s a police force you might have something to complain about.

Ian McDowell
10 Posted 23/12/2014 at 21:46:19

Of course it won't be played at 1730. Liverpool fans have a history of bad behaviour and it won't change.

Peter Murray
11 Posted 23/12/2014 at 21:36:08

Merseyside police and the City Council are quite right to oppose a 5:30 pm kick-off.

It represents over an extra 2-4 hours drinking time on this game compared to previously scheduled times. That, in itself, irrespective of the match, increases the possibility of trouble.

But, of course, this is moneybags TV controlling things. And what do they care about any other issues?

Andrew Ellams
13 Posted 24/12/2014 at 08:42:42

Peter I take you are a police officer right? If so, can you let us know why 5:30 on a Saturday is so different to 4:00 on a Sunday or a midweek evening as asked above?

Karl Masters
15 Posted 24/12/2014 at 09:42:38

Typical police! Sick of lunchtime kick offs and the flat atmosphere they create. 3pm is fine and under the lights is fine too by me. There will always be drunks causing trouble and as the death of Ian Doyle sadly proves, people who want to cause trouble in city centres will do it any time of the day or night.

Incidentally, I don't recall them having a problem with last seasons game at Anfield being a night game, but I suppose the fact it was played on a Tuesday in January was down to them in the first place. Interesting to see they are the ones insisting on lunchtime kick offs isn't it. No doubt if they had their way we wouldn't play derbies at all and would just give both clubs 2 points instead every season.

James Royston
16 Posted 24/12/2014 at 12:48:58

Of course even the potential for any sort of problem should be removed if at all possible. Surely the "so important" TV companies can make a transfer with one of other TV games that weekend to a mutually acceptable time. TV seem to be able to dominate everything to do with match days anyway, like the proposal for Fridays. Remember the local Council & Police were able to recommend a reduction in cup allocation tickets at Arsenal " when it suited them".

Franny Porter
17 Posted 05/01/2015 at 13:37:35

Has anyone got any idea of when "the authorities" are gonna make a decision on the derby time?

Ray Roche
18 Posted 05/01/2015 at 13:54:02

No Franny, it's all gone quiet over there.

Franny Porter
19 Posted 05/01/2015 at 14:25:19

Pesky authorities! They will probably change early February thus fucking everyone's plans up.

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