Blackburn Rovers blog: Crowd deserves praise for derby day conduct (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Blackburn Rovers blog: Crowd deserves praise for derby day conduct
8:09am Tuesday 4th December 2012 in News
By Dan Clough, Reporter
DERBY day is always a stressful day, but Rovers and Clarets fans can both be congratulated for the way they conducted themselves despite the heated occasion.
After just seven arrests, five Rovers fans, one Burnley fan and one unknown, the police issued a thank you to supporters.
And I would like to echo those sentiments as fans of both clubs made for a cracking atmosphere – but a safe one.
The police should be congratulated, too. Some may feel the measures put in place were somewhat draconian, but when a game of this magnitude passes with the vast majority of fans enjoying the day while feeling safe, they have done their job.
I was providing the paper’s live web updates from the Turf and met Rovers legend Kevin Gallagher before the game.
When I asked him of his thoughts ahed of the match, he said he was hopeful it would pass without incident and was memorable for all the right reasons.
He made the point that we could do with the East Lancashire derby becoming a far more regular encounter, not least because then it would lose its novelty value.
And if the novelty value is taken away, then the chance of trouble flaring would more than likely diminish.
I for one would like the game to be a more regular feature on the calendar purely for the excitement it causes.
It is a very under-rated derby, with those not previously involved always shocked at the intensity it brings.
Just see Jason McAteer’s comments after his first trip to the Turf in 2000.
This was a man who previously played in the Merseyside derby, and he said the ferocity was like nothing he had seen before.
The match itself was disappointing from a Blackburn Rovers fan’s point of view.
We were not good enough, considering the importance of this match.
But a draw was a decent result in the end, and now we can all start to look forward to next March when it will be the Clarets fans’ turn to be herded down the M65.
Meanwhile the FA Cup third round draw is always an exciting time, as it is the best chance we can get of a fun away day.
I always dream of an away tie against someone from a lower league, like the time we got Blyth a few years ago (although that almost ended in disaster!) On this occasion, Lincoln or Mansfield would have been fun, as would Harrogate or Hastings.
But not Bristol City. It happens every year and it is always an anti-climax.
Knowing our luck, if we beat Bristol City we’ll probably end up with an away tie against Aston Villa.
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (54)
9:19am Tue 4 Dec 12
dangerous dave says...
Would have be far cheaper with minimal Policing costs and greater revenue to both clubs if match had have been shown live on screen at Ewood - of course if FA rules allow!!
OUT WITH SHAW AGNEW SINGH BLACK HENDRY VENKEYS
9:43am Tue 4 Dec 12
forever blue and white says...
9:45am Tue 4 Dec 12
ewoodcow says...
Fully agree. I'm sick of people moaning about the measures put in place but if it means I can go to the game in safety then long may they continue.
In many respects I think it also adds to the atmosphere of the day with 3,000+ Rovers supporters all congregating at Ewood prior to travelling.
10:05am Tue 4 Dec 12
AndyW says...
Just?!
Any arrest over a game of football is ridiculous.
You have fully-grown (well physically, not mentally) adults punching each other in the head because they support different teams.
Absolute madness.
10:22am Tue 4 Dec 12
ChrisDeBerg says...
Dave, you really are just annoying with your slurs from behind your keyboard in your dark room of weirdness! I'm sure your sat in there with the likes of 'SmellTheCoffee' and co... Inventing new 'hate' stories each day to try and poison football fans with your ridiculous accusations. Why not try and support something else, like maybe a 20 ton lorry...
DANGEROUS DAVE OUT
10:42am Tue 4 Dec 12
dangerous dave says...
!!
OUT WITH SHAW AGNEW SINGH BLACK HENDRY VENKEYS
10:43am Tue 4 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
DELUDED DAVE OUT.
Hes pis5ed because he had to listen on the radio. Him and the other tinfoil bandits that dont attend games but have an opinion - usually a negative one - on all things Rovers.
11:07am Tue 4 Dec 12
leitchy says...
11:31am Tue 4 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
11:55am Tue 4 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
They're here Dave....!
11:57am Tue 4 Dec 12
dangerous dave says...
ha ha certainly hit a sore point!!!
OUT WITH SHAW AGNEW SINGH BLACK HENDRY VENKEYS
12:19pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Robbie says...
12:28pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Tatts says...
The support from the Burnley end by comparison was pitiful and I'm sure even the most ardent Dingle would acknowledge that.
The funniest moment of the day was seeing Shebby lauding up the applause at the end by bowing in front of the fans. I'm not sure as to his credentials but he's certainly good for the comedy factor.
Ps DANGEROUS DAVE OUT!
12:31pm Tue 4 Dec 12
SimonGarner says...
Will you do one, please.
(I 4th that)
12:40pm Tue 4 Dec 12
blue_and_white says...
12:47pm Tue 4 Dec 12
chickenfarm says...
Once Rovers supporters realise that you have no right to be in the premiership any more the sooner you can move on as a football club. Until then you will be a complete laughing stock to the football world.
1:15pm Tue 4 Dec 12
penrithrover says...
AGAIN, WHY ARE YOU SO SCARED OF DANGEROUS DAVE`S OPINIONS ?
1:21pm Tue 4 Dec 12
shaus says...
1:25pm Tue 4 Dec 12
shaus says...
1:28pm Tue 4 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
1:52pm Tue 4 Dec 12
chickenfarm says...
2:06pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Harwoodstblue says...
2:31pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
2:34pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Tatts says...
The atmosphere in the Burnley end was dire! Your crowd brought shame on the East Lancs derby.
Also, to say we are down on our luck is a massive understatement and you still couldn't beat us, even at your ground!
You'll never beat the Rovers!
33 years and counting...
2:38pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
2:48pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
3:05pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
3:13pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
3:20pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
3:39pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
4:01pm Tue 4 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
its the same twaddle that was belted around all year. especially around the dodgy dossier time.
if it helps you sleep at night carry on believing it. change your username as many times as you want.. its still smelly and cohorts talking crap as usual.
"chatting to someone in the pub.."
well if that isnt hanging proof for you I dont know what is!
4:03pm Tue 4 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
4:16pm Tue 4 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
I'll keep it flowing with some Shakespeare:
Whats in a name? A stench that is Smelly would stink just as vile...
4:21pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
4:30pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
4:33pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
4:36pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
4:43pm Tue 4 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
.. And I would have got away with if it wasn't for that pesky fairytale evidence.. Bah humbug!.. He says..
Disney must be interested in your skills by now smelly..
4:47pm Tue 4 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
5:30pm Tue 4 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
We are under attack! Mobilise the troops sergeant!
Cuckoo.. Cuckoo..Cuckoo.. Cuckoo..
6:41pm Tue 4 Dec 12
MatthewCA says...
Hope we learn how to safegard 3 points after 80 mts of the game as soon as possible to stay alive in this championship.
Thanks to all the people to keep faith in fair play and attend in the stadium like a good support to there players.
8:28pm Tue 4 Dec 12
J.C - Rishton says...
I monitor ALL Rovers articles from round the world automatically on my computer and there was no "cryptic artical. Also why do you state "national press" - why not just name the news paper ?????????????
As for your "owner/invester" - shows you know nothing of the ownership situation at Rovers - if you are so interrested then join BRAG and they will tell you, not only WHO owns the club but what percentages they own, thousands of Rovers fans understand the ownership situation.
As for any "arrests" - I think thats just pub talk (at the moment), I've certainly not heard anything on the grapevine.
8:31pm Tue 4 Dec 12
J.C - Rishton says...
He went bankrupt because his "soccer schools" in the US lost about £4m and he was personably liable -
Christ, if you're gonna rite you're rubbish then please do the most basic of homework beforehand !!!
8:44pm Tue 4 Dec 12
BlueSkies says...
Oh and tell your mate, Dangerous Dave :- it's not VENKEYS.
I've told you before, you should get out more and watch a proper game of LIVE football. The truth will eventually come out and I'm sure there's plenty of substance to your claims, but in the short-term, support your team..... you don't have to go to home matches either if u don't want.
9:31pm Tue 4 Dec 12
andychoc says...
Fantastic day out, fantastic atmosphere and all round a fair result.
Just one thing, when shebby turned up at the end why all of a sudden were we clapping and cheering him????? Im still baffeled to why he is running our football club, the guys a clueless moron.
Anyway roll on Blackpool away, another mouth watering derby
COME ON YOU BLUES!
10:33pm Tue 4 Dec 12
mys says...
3:18am Wed 5 Dec 12
penrithrover says...
DANGEROUS DAVE and lots of others will again be proven right in the long term , with people like you we will have to accept 2nd or even 3rd best , Singh is clearly always looking for the cheap option , he should have got an experienced manager in , with his own coaching team , most supporters seeing the sight of Hendry with a Rovers top on , now that we know all about his disgraceful behaviour sickens most of us , if not you , (perhaps a team of paid employees being used as P.R. people) many thousands more, we want decency to return in our coaching team.
5:15am Wed 5 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
5:19am Wed 5 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
5:29am Wed 5 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
5:46am Wed 5 Dec 12
Jacko67 says...
11:23am Wed 5 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
Whats wrong Smelly? my one mispelled word the only thing you can come back as a retort on? How about answering all the OTHER questions myself and JC put to you.. like which newspaper, what article.. specifics.. proof.. something that you seem to be lacking of at any time with your tinfoil claims.
Dingle.
11:53am Wed 5 Dec 12
blueblooded says...
DINGLE.
7:38pm Wed 5 Dec 12
bburnrover says...