YOU’VE got to feel sorry for Burnley football fan Jason Taylor, who lives just a few minutes’ walk away from Ewood Park.
For on the day of the most anticipated East Lancashire derby for 33 years, Jason will have to make a 60-mile round trip to watch the clash in Blackburn.
He is the victim of the military-style police operation which is being planned to prevent rival factions clashing at the match in three weeks’ time.
The only way any Burnley fan can travel and watch the game is to get a match and coach travel ticket from Turf Moor which forces fans to join the procession of police guarded-coaches from the Burnley ground.
It worked when the Clarets played Rovers in the Championship and also in the FA Cup in 2005.
The measure may seem draconian, especially to someone like Mr Taylor who wanted to walk to Ewood Park with his grandfather, a life-long Rovers fan.
But it is the safest way of marshalling the match and making sure that the occasion can be enjoyable for all – no matter which team you support.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here