"When saving money infringes on the ability of people and businesses to go about their everyday work and enjoy a day out at football, something is clearly wrong."
Those are the words of Huddersfield Town chief executive Nigel Clibbens speaking after the club and Hull City issued a joint statement accusing West Yorkshire Police of imposing 'unwarranted restrictions' on a game between the two clubs because of a 'specific agenda'.
The clubs released the joint statement after internal police emails about procedures for the match in March were made public last week.
Ahead of the game in Huddersfield, police limited tickets for Hull City fans and made them travel on official coaches to the game , which Hull won 1-0.
The restrictions left both sides unhappy and prompted protests by fans of both clubs , who said that the heavy-handed nature of the restrictions painted a picture of football fans as hooligans which was incorrect.
Fans' groups used the Freedom of Information act to request internal emails between the two clubs and West Yorkshire Police about the game.
These emails showed that police were warned that the restrictions they had imposed could be seen to be irrationally compared to procedures at other games.
West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson has ordered an inquiry in the policing of the game to be handled by the force's new Chief Constable Mark Gilmore.
Chf Con Gilmore was not part of the force when the restrictions were put in place.
Today's joint statement reads: "It has become abundantly clear that West Yorkshire Police were pursuing a specific agenda in their unwarranted imposition of the travel ‘bubble’. Indeed, their internal legal advisors recognised this in the run-up to the match.
"We are delighted that the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner has acknowledged that the concerns raised with him in advance of the match were justified and is now conducting a comprehensive review of the decision-making process that effectively led to Hull City fans being inappropriately labeled as hooligans.
"We look forward to the outcome of that review with interest and hope that, in future, West Yorkshire Police takes a common-sense approach when planning for football matches.
"The diligence of both the Football Supporters’ Federation and Reds Away in pursuing this matter alongside supporters’ groups representing both Huddersfield Town and Hull City is to be commended. Without their perseverance it is likely that West Yorkshire Police’s counter-intuitive approach to this game would have simply been swept under the carpet. Thanks to the fans’ continued indignation over a lack of consideration for away supporters, this has not happened, and West Yorkshire Police’s flawed decision-making process has been exposed."
Speaking on behalf of Huddersfield Town, Chief Executive Nigel Clibbens added: “Throughout the ‘New Era’ under the chairmanship of Dean Hoyle, Huddersfield Town has had a good, professional working relationship with West Yorkshire Police. The safety of our fans and visitors is a top priority for the club.
“The Hull City game was the third time the police refused to sanction a change of fixture at Sky’s request, which put Huddersfield Town in a very difficult position.
“Huddersfield Town understands the police has to protect the ‘public purse’ and the challenges that can bring, but when saving money infringes on the ability of people and businesses to go about their everyday work and enjoy a day out at football, something is clearly wrong.
“The club was disappointed to read some of the comments in the documents and now hopes the police reflect upon and learn from what has taken place.”
