Rival fans split over derby-day 'bubble'

Rival football fans are split over police measures designed to keep supporters separated for the first south coast derby of the season.

The match between Southampton and Portsmouth at St Mary's at midday on Sunday, saw supporters required to travel under a tightly controlled "bubble" system overseen by Hampshire Police.

Under the arrangements, Pompey fans have only been allowed to attend if they travelled on an official coach from Fratton Park.

The clubs agreed to continue the coach travel scheme used last season, with police saying before the game that it would help ensure the safe arrival and departure of all supporters.

Speaking before the match, Portsmouth fan Luke Allaway said he thought the bubble was a bit "over the top" as other fixtures like Millwall games and "northern derbies" also have a "history of violence".

He said he had to "pay about £20 extra" to travel to the game this way, as well as get up early.

Sonny Gillman said it was the second time he had experienced the bubble and he thought it was "way too much", "over bearing" and "too much money spent ".

His friend Lenny Way who travelled to the match with him said he thought the one positive thing about it was that it helped disabled fans get to the ground safely.

Speaking from outside his side's home ground ahead of the tie, Southampton fan Luke Smith, said he thought the bubble was a good idea and he felt "safe" going to the match.

Specially trained officers were deployed around the ground as part of the measures, which were an effort by police to avoid violence, like that which accompanied the 2019 derby fixture at Fratton Park.

Police said 21 people appeared in court over offences at last season's matches, including throwing missiles, pitch invasions and criminal damage.

The resulting convictions led to more than £10,000 in fines and Football Banning Orders totalling 61 years.

One supporter received a three-year ban and a fine after a crutch was thrown and struck a ball boy at Fratton Park.

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dodds said the force received "a lot of positive feedback" about the measures, with supporters saying they were able to bring their families and children to matches when they might not otherwise have done so.