Fans at Wear-Tees derby to be kept apart by barriers

Jan 22 2012 by Andrew Glover, Sunday Sun

Sunderland’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) cited problems with Boro fans persistently standing during their two previous visits to the ground before relegation to the Championship.

In 2003, 30 fans were arrested after pockets of violence broke out inside the ground.

Problems were sparked by Boro fans who had bought tickets in Sunderland areas of the stadium. The visitors won the crunch game 3-1.

Boro’s allocation had been cut on that occasion but Sunderland insist no one without a purchase history has been able to buy home seats for next Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round tie.

Michael Brunskill, spokesman for the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF), said: “It’s obviously very disappointing for the thousands of Boro fans who’ll miss out but I think plenty of Sunderland fans will think it’s a shame too. Away fans add loads to the atmosphere. Half the fun in a derby is the rivalry between fans and the noise that generates. Some of that will now be lost.

“I’d also imagine it makes stewarding the game a little trickier as it increases the possibility of away fans without tickets trying to get into the home end.

“The local SAG say that tickets were cut because fans persistently stand. Well there’s an answer to that and it’s one the FSF has been banging on about for years, let’s have safe standing areas in British stadiums.”

Safety chiefs have urged visiting fans to take advantage of free transport to the game with buses being laid on by the two clubs as a result of negotiations over the ticket allocation. Middlesbrough confirmed last night that 31 coaches had been filled so far leaving the possibility that more than 1,000 away fans will travel to the Stadium of Light independently.

Teessiders with tickets have been reminded there is still time to book the free transport, with police advising fans that rail services to Sunderland will be running on a reduced Sunday service.

Fans can board the coaches at The Swan in Billingham at 10.30am, at Albert Park in the Middlesbrough at 10.45am with the convoy leaving the Riverside Stadium at 11am.

The match kicks off at 1.30pm and will be shown live on ITV.