Absolutelly ridiculous treatment from one officer today. We parked near Cundy Cross as we were late arriving into town after my daughter's match this morning. After the game we headed into the line of traffic towards Stairfoot. The line of traffic, happened to be the convoy of Leeds coaches, being escorted towards Birdwell (why they take them that way I have no idea). So, on we go through Stairfoot Roundabout, Worsborough Dale, towards the A61 (Sheffield Rd). At this point a Policeman on a Motorbike, pulls alongside me and orders me to turn right towards Barnsley. I live in Sheffield. Why should I go the wrong way? The traffic is gridlocked coming away from town, and I now have to try and turn around somewhere. Just ridiculous. I was in a moving line of traffic heading out of town, and he orders me back into the chaos. Nice one. In the end I had to take a 6-7 mile detour via Ward Green, Kingstone, and back to Birdwell.... because some idiot Policeman didn't want me in his nice line of coaches. Good mind to send SYP my petrol expenses.
No idea, but you have to question the logic of sending people who want to go to Leeds, south, and people who want to go to Sheffield, north.
I'm not sure they can. It would be interesting to hear why they had such an issue with a family in a car being with coaches.
They can do whatever they want as the alternative to doing what the police say, as a football fan, is usually an arrest and a ban. A friend who supports Leeds but lives locally wanted to meet in town after the game. Despite explaining to the police the situation, he was penned in the station alongside others, waiting for a train that he didn't want to go on. Had he tried to get out? Arrest. Plenty of police about today. Arguably needed twice when the two smoke bombs were thrown, all ten officers sat in the away end remained in their seats.
Surprised to see a load of police in a minibus from Mersey Police heading towards the M1 after the match.
Two SYP officers with Alsatians were causing mayhem after the game on Eldon Street. They were just walking aimlessly in the middle of the road towards the bridge only to turn around and walk back. Neither officer was able to control the dog and it actually made for a dangerous situation with two men and two dogs in the middle of the road with traffic coming both ways.
The two female officers on the horse's down by the level crossing were struggling to control the horse's a little bit too. I moved well away to the multi story side while we waited. Less worried about gloating Leeds fans and genuinely worried about a horse kicking someone.
A couple of police vans under Harborough Hill bridge were Greater Manchester. There was also one from Cheshire. Looks as if SYP were stretched yesterday and had to call in forces from further afield.
A SUFC fan on the train going home said they were expecting a big turnout from Birmingham as it was the 35th anniversary of the formation of the Zulus. Big occasion and all that.
My mates an inspector in Manchester Police and he was on duty at the match Given the huge number of police someone thought were required for our own safety it's unsuprising that several forces had to contribute staff.
