So, it has been announced that Burnley is one of several ‘high risk’ clubs whose supporters will not be allowed to go to Millwall next season. What a cowardly, disgraceful decision this is.
What a blow to our supporters club, too. It’s hard enough following Burnley while living down here without getting kicked in the teeth like this. For many of our members, including those who aren’t able to get to that many games, this is one match they would certainly expect to attend. There are quite a few Burnley supporters down here – I’m one of them, and yes, it is personal – for whom this is the closest Clarets match of the season, and as such it’s eagerly anticipated. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the London Clarets always have a good turn out for this one, and it generally offers a chance for us to all get together and for some old friends to meet. For taking that away from us, thanks a lot.
Are the police now saying they are unable to maintain control over a football match? Are Millwall FC now admitting that they can’t control their own supporters? What a shocking admission this is. As a London resident, part of my hefty Council Tax bill goes towards the upkeep of the Metropolitan Police. Why are they now shirking their responsibilities? How pathetic that a police force responsible for keeping order in one of the land’s toughest cities and a prime terrorist target are now saying they cannot police a mid-ranking First Division football match.
Of course, there is disorder at Millwall matches. Not always, but it happens, and we saw it last time we played there. But why are we being punished for this? Why do we pay, by having the opportunity to cheer on our team withdrawn from us? If Millwall FC can’t control their supporters, why is it our fault? Why are people like the London Clarets being punished for something Millwall supporters did? Why, in effect, have we all been banned from a football ground?
It seems the riot after their play-off defeat against Birmingham was the last straw. But as that proved, there are people who attach themselves to Millwall to make trouble, and trouble they will make come what may. When they can’t get to the away fans, they will have a go at the police. That was the battle after that match: yobs v police. Are the police just trying to make things easy for themselves? Who are they protecting? What other possibilities did they consider before taking the soft option of banning away supporters? It's so easy to do. We don't have a say and we don't count.
Besides, only six clubs are banned – us, Forest, Leicester, Portsmouth, Stoke and Wolves. The hardcore yobs – those who are determined to make trouble – will just pick their targets from the rest. There’s plenty left to go at.
Anyway, it’s all bollocks, of course, because people will still go. Oh sure, you need membership, but it’s been done before. Remember Luton, Torquay? Doubtless some of our lot will go. They’ll somehow buy a ticket for a home stand, try to keep quiet, hope to avoid trouble. In doing so, they’ll be more in danger than if they were in a properly policed and segregated away end, but why should we be told we cannot go and see our team play on our own doorstep? Others will, of course. There are people who have seen every Burnley game for the last 20 or 30 seasons. We have members who post ever present seasons. You cannot simply expect people not to go. So, expect home sections littered with low profile pockets of Burnley supporters. Expect more trouble in the ground as a direct result of that. But then it will all be our fault, won’t it? We’ll be blamed for having the audacity to go and watch our side instead of doing what we’re told.
Is the net result of this going to be to move trouble from outside the ground to in?
I am desperately disappointed, because even if people do manage to sneak in, something will be lost. Sure, we’ve had some hairy moments, usually after games, but we’ve had some great visits to the New Den too. What about last season when we triumphed on the hottest day of the year? How about that time we won 3-2 with two Mark Winstanley goals? The atmosphere, hostile, with both sets of fans trying to out sing each other, had played its part in those matches too. Then our after match drink-ups have always been daft and joyful, as a good sized gathering have celebrated coming through the ordeal.
Burnley supporters have played their part in our successes at Millwall. Our superb support away from home is rightly acknowledged by the club. In denying Burnley that support in what could be an important game, the team too is being disadvantaged.
I know it can get a bit worrying after the match at Millwall. There have been times when I haven't felt particularly safe, although I've never come to any grief. But that's my choice. If I didn't want to go, if I didn't feel I could face it, I'd stay away. I'm capable of making that decision. I don't need some patronising authority to take that choice away from me.
It's doubtless well meant, but Burnley's offer of a big screen at Turf Moor does nothing to soften the blow. Everyone who understands football knows there is no equivalence between being at the match and watching it on TV, however big the TV happens to be. You’re either there, or you’re not. And we’re going to trog up to Burnley to watch a match in our own backyard on the telly, aren’t we?
I should stress that I've got nothing in particular against Millwall. I don't think their supporters are all yobs any more than I think, say, that all Burnley fans are racist. And I think it would be quite wrong to ban their supporters from Turf Moor. We cannot show that we think their treatment of us is wrong by treating them in the same way.
The League should resist. A condition of fixtures should be that both home and away supporters can attend. Don't expect them to. They're bogged down in a battle with the TV companies and they can't think about anything else. When the game comes, Burnley FC's representatives should shirk the boardroom, cold shoulder the Millwall lot and show their sympathy with the supporters by staying away. Or perhaps they couldn't bear to miss the game?
Still, save your ire for Millwall and the law, who together have stitched us up. Not for the first time, the Metropolitan Police have shown contempt for football supporters. The timing of this announcement – when the football media is obsessed with the World Cup and nothing else gets a look-in – is also deeply dubious, tinged with more than a shade of the Byers.
The only people being punished are the supporters and teams of the six clubs that have been singled out for this draconian treatment – and we haven’t done anything wrong. We’re being punished for the misdeeds of others. It’s unjust, authoritarian, ill-thought-out and short-sighted. Should we be surprised?
But what a crappy game this is becoming. Next season, I am to be prevented from watching my team play a few miles from my own front door. Furious doesn't begin to describe the way I feel.
Click here to read the absurd joint statement from Millwall FC and the Metropolitan Police.
