Wrexham.com Go Inside The Policing of Wrexham v Chester ‘Bubble Match’

‘No arrests were made’ during yesterday’s Wrexham and Chester derby match – which saw a huge policing presence and also the return of the ‘safe transport’. 

The ‘Bubble Match’ as its commonly known as, has been seen as a controversial move by some since it was first introduced to the fixtures back in 2013. Since then every Wrexham and Chester game has been subject to the safe transport methods.

Yesterday Wrexham.com spent the day with North Wales Police to observe the policing of the ‘Bubble Match’ and the procedures that take place throughout the day.

The day began with a briefing with Superintendent Alex Goss and Superintendent Robert Kirman, who outlined the plans for the day to over 100 officers.

Superintendent Goss said: “There is a 2pm kick-off, we’ve brought it forward to alleviate any of the issues. Home fans are in the Mold Road and Yale stands, away fans are in the Glyndwr University stand. Chester have been allocated 1200 seats but we are expecting about 1000 fans.

“There is history in both clubs of disorder because it is a derby. Chester supporters will be brought in 18 coaches and the convoy will be leaving Sealand Road directly to the ground. When they come in colleagues from Cheshire will be there.

“At Glyndwr University there is the Urdd Eisteddfod where there will be in excess of 900 candidates in the university. There is going to be congestion around the university. We have had a number of meetings with the university who are aware of the significance of the event

“People will be leaving on Mold Road, events like this cause disruption and we need to minimise that. It is about looking after people who live there.”

Superintendent Goss also reiterated that it was a ‘minority of fans’ that could behave antisocially, adding: “The vast majority coming want to have a good time and enjoy themselves, we are dealing with the minority who want to cause disruption

“We have a robust place in place and it’s about keeping the community safe.”

After the meeting officers were dispersed across the town centre and Mold Road – with Wrexham.com joining Town Centre Inspector Simon Kneale on his patrol of ‘key areas’ around the town centre where risk fans had been known to congregate before the matches.

Throughout the day a dispersal order for ‘risk fans’ was in place across the town centre and those found behaving antisocially during the match risked a banning order, which would stop them from travelling to any of the Euros football matches later this summer.

Inspector Kneale said: “The police in town is about engaging. We understand a lot of people are here to watch the football, we won’t tolerate anti-social behaviour.

“Nationally football disorders have been in decline – with CCTV and the police helicopter people are well aware they are being captured on film. What’s important for us is the early intervention with the football banning orders and stopping those people at an early stage.

“Without this tactic all disorder would put the safety of the community and supporters at risk. in our eyes that is a proportionate response.”

LLPD Chopper was also on hand throughout the day

Due to the Eisteddfod taking place home fans were prohibited from parking at the university and were encouraged to park in the town centre and not in residential areas around the grounds.

One of the first stops of the day was to Yale Park, just across the way from Glyndwr University to check if any fans had parked their cars in the area and to engage with residents to advise them of what was going on throughout the day.

Speaking about the patrols, Inspector Kneale said: “We have concerns from residents who live on this estate with parking so we have officers at the front to stop vehicles from parking here.”

Both Yale Park and Windsor Drive were later coned off to prevent fans parking on the streets

As part of the ‘Safe Transport / Bubble Match’ away fans are transported in a convoy of coaches to the grounds to prevent the two sets of fans from meeting prior to the match. In this instance Chester fans were transported in a great big convoy down the A483 to the Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium for 1:30pm.

In total there were 18 coaches of Chester fans – which arrived quite fittingly to Coldplay’s ‘Paradise’ blaring out of the Racecourse. From there fans were stopped and searched before being allowed into the stadium.

Wrexham.com queried with Inspector Kneale on if the thought the ‘safe transport’ method is one that puts fans off from attending the fixture and if the heavy policing comes across as intimidating to members of the public.

Inspector Kneale said: “We have seen today at the gate the number of Wrexham supporters here. People will always come as it is a local derby. The tactic is decided between the two clubs and the police – they decide on the tactic used and we work in partnership. There are stewards inside and we support them when needed.

‘One dad said to me that he wouldn’t have brought his young son to this match before without the policing, but has brought him now. If it makes people feel safe then that’s brilliant.

Fans celebrate Wrexham’s first of three goals – orange smoke appears in the process…

“Most regulars know us and the regular officers know who more the prominent fans are. A lot of them understand our viewpoint and know the boundaries. The vast majority are just good natured.”

Inspector Kneale added: “Although labelled a risk it doesn’t mean they will be. banning orders are enforced robustly, it’s an early intervention process and stop trouble before it begins.”

The policing of the match doesn’t stop at the ‘safe transport’ and once inside the bubble a number of officers remained standing between the Mold Road Stand / Glyndwr University Stand / Yale Stand.

Our view was somewhat restricted during the second half. Hear Robbie Evans hit the third goal in from a 98 yard bicycle kick…..

During the match one ‘fan’ was ejected and there were reports of coins being thrown onto the pitch – however the person responsible was not found.

After the match arguably has the largest policing presence, with Mold Road cordoned off by rows of riot police and police vehicles while fans exit the stadium.

Once the Wrexham fans left the stadium, the great big Chester convoy began its journey back up the A483 in a relatively hassle-free manner. Earlier in the day we had been told that large crowds of fans had previously stayed on Mold Road while the convoy left – however in this instance a few joyful Wrexham fans remained simply to wave the Chester fans off!

From there the road reopened quite quickly, with all vehicles moved and officers stood down from the area within half an hour.

During one final patrol around the town centre, Inspector Kneale said: “It was a really successful day, everyone was in good spirits. It’s nice to hear such positive feedback from members of the public – it’s about safety and we have to keep people safe.

“Without the line at the end all those fans wild have come together, I think that is evidence on why we need that tactic. If the safe transport hadn’t been on, both sets of fans would have been trying to meet. Now both sets of fans have left and we don’t have that problem anymore.

“All officers have stood down half an hour after the game and there are no arrests. Coin throwing was reported, but the stewards couldn’t find him. The evidence gathering team will look into that, however the coin throwing was an isolated incident.”