'Draconian' match plan criticised

Burnley football club supporters have hit out at security arrangements for their local weekend derby with Blackburn Rovers.

Police are insisting that Clarets fans must travel to Ewood Park on coaches from Turf Moor - even though many already live in Blackburn.

The measures are in place to avoid a repeat of previous trouble that has flared among small sections of fans.

But some Burnley supporters said the tactics were "draconian".

Sixty coaches will be ferrying about 3,000 fans from Turf Moor to Ewood Park for the Premier League clash on Sunday.

I live nearer to Blackburn than I live to Burnley Alan Beecroft

Burnley fan Alan Beecroft told the BBC that many families were going to be extremely inconvenienced.

"Draconian measures, I would describe it as. It is just overkill really," he said.

"I live nearer to Blackburn than I live to Burnley.

"On Sunday my first job will be to drive to within 800 yards of Ewood Park to pick somebody up, then have to come back to Burnley, get on the coach, then go [back] to Blackburn.

"It's just ridiculous. People should not have to carry on like that."

Banning orders

But Supt Chris Bithell, match commander, said the measures were necessary to ensure a safe day for all supporters.

"We know that there is a very small minority of people who may look to cause trouble," he said.

"My message to them is simple, don't even bother. You will be dealt with and put through the courts system.

"We will not let that small minority ruin what promises to be a historic day for two of our football teams."

Letters have also been sent to people subject to banning orders warning them to stay away.

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