Police vow to deal with hooligans but some Chester FC fans won’t return to Chorley

Feb 2 2012 by Gary Porter, Chester Chronicle

A CHESTER FC supporter says her son is too frightened to return to Chorley after innocent Blues fans were ambushed by a hooligan mob following last season’s match.

Lancashire police have vowed to deal with any troublemakers targeting Saturday’s game, but mum Sara Morley says her eight-year-old son George does not want to go back to Victory Park.

When Chester last visited Chorley almost a year ago, Blues fans – including women, children and pensioners – were attacked after the match by a mob of home supporters on a park adjacent to the ground.

Sara and George, who is a ball boy at home games, were among those innocent fans who were pelted with missiles as they tried to make their way back to their car.

She crouched down next to a fence and shielded her terrified son, who was sobbing, as the mob carried out their attack.

Sara said: “I will be going on Saturday with my friends, but I will not be taking my son George.

“It was his choice not to go, he has been put off going. He said ‘no way, I’m not going there again’ after last time.

“I love following Chester FC and I am trying to not think about last year and hope that this time Chorley and Lancashire police get it right and there won’t be any trouble.”

Sara received a phone call from Chorley FC chairman Ken Wright after last year’s match having written directly to him to ask why one of the exit gates was chained and locked, why the tannoy system could not be heard clearly, and why the policing was so ‘inadequate’.

“He apologised and seemed genuinely concerned, and assured me the club would sort out the issues I raised,” she said.

Both sets of supporters had clashed before and during last year’s game, which Chester won 1-0.

Police are warning troublemakers they will not be tolerated as they aim to avoid a repeat of the violent scenes.

Match commander Inspector Steve Evans said: “We have worked closely with both Chorley Football Club and local licensees and there will be a policing operation in place on the day in and around the ground as well as the town centre with the main aim being that everyone can enjoy the game safely.

“There were some incidents of disorder when the two teams played each other last season and there will be a police presence at the ground.

“Anyone who is looking to cause trouble should be warned that it will not be tolerated. The vast majority of people want to enjoy the game and do not need mindless idiots spoiling it for them.”

Chester FC have been given an allocation of 1,000 tickets. Supporters are being urged to arrive early with the match kicking off at 1pm.

THE Chronicle asked Chester FC fans on Twitter whether they would be attending the match at Chorley on Saturday:

Phil Turner: "I'll be there on sat!! Nothing stops me from supporting Chester FC! Except snow, ice and dodgy owners!"

Daniel Burns: "Couldn't miss it. Regardless of last season, at this time of the campaign the players need the support... I do hope lessons have been learnt from last time, and hopefully we talk about on the pitch more than off the pitch come Sat."

Katie Woodcock: "I shall be at Chorley, regardless of the scenes off the pitch last season. Im there to support the players on the pitch."

Mark Worrall: "I can understand why fans don’t want to go, but I won’t be deterred from supporting my team by the actions of some mindless yobs."

Ashley Field: "I will be going to Chorley and i will be going to support the team. im just hoping that the other fans will be going for the game as well."

Richard Jones: "I’m not going as we were caught up in the after match problems... decided to keep my money for championship drinks!!"

Steven Parsons: "Not going to Chorley as went last year and don't feel comfortable taking my son despite prob improved policing and arrangement."