Tensions run high as rival football 'fans' meet in city
By Jessica Shaughnessy, Chester Chronicle

03/12/04

Scratched CarTENSIONS were high in Chester this week as City and Wrexham fans came together for their first derby in seven years.

A charged atmosphere in the Saunders Honda Stadium threatened to spill out into the city but police say they foiled a full-scale riot.

Hooligan elements from both sets of fans managed to rub salt in the wound of Chester's 0-1 defeat, which knocked them out of the LDV Vans Trophy.

Inspector Geoff Williams said up to 100 officers were on duty across the city to avoid a repeat of the riots in 1997, the last time the two sides met.

Six people were arrested for public disorder offences, two of them Chester fans who invaded the pitch at the end of the game.

There were reports of a fight between a City fan and a Wrexham fan, while a family looked on in horror.

Wrexham fans smashed four windows at the White Horse Hotel in Handbridge.

A number of cars parked at the ground were vandalised. Three cars belonging to Chester City officials were scratched, one needing a complete respray, while vehicles belonging to Wrexham fans had 'England' etched into the bonnets.

Three riot squads were present, including one from North Wales.

Prolific hooligans from both sets of fans were located and kept in a pub before being taken to the match in a bus. While Wrexham fans were having a pre-match drink in the White Horse, Chester fans could be found in the Waggon and Horses in Blacon.

Officers walked crowds of fans from the stadium to Chester Station after the game.

With the help of British Transport Police, an extra train was waiting to take Wrexham fans home to prevent them staying in the city.

The police operation was controlled from the ground and the police station at Chester Town Hall.

Insp Williams said: 'The last time we had a fixture between Chester and Wrexham, we had information that there was going to be a riot. In the end, there were big fights between the two sides on Watergate Street and Bridge Street.

'This time we had also received information that fans wanted to meet each other and we wanted to do what it took to prevent that happening. There is a history of antagonism between the two hooligan element of fans.'

Despite the damage to his pub, White Horse landlord Ray Swift said, on the whole, fans were well-behaved.

He said: 'They were generally a good bunch of lads and were no trouble at all. As with everything, you get the odd idiot, but at least it was windows that was broken and the staff and customers were safe.'

Chairman of the Chester City Official Supporters' Club, Barrie Hipkiss, said: 'It's unfortunate that there had to be a police presence but I dread to think what would have happened if they weren't there.'

Police's work is praised

Chester City chairman Stephen Vaughan has congratulated Cheshire Constabulary's prevention of riots between Chester and Wrexham fans.

As they were leaving the Saunders Honda Stadium, fans vandalised cars parked outside, including three club cars, one of which needed a re-spray.

But following Tuesday's 0-1 defeat, Mr Vaughan said: 'I thought the police work was spot-on. It was a full capacity crowd and they had their work cut out for them, but generally I think it went very well. There was a massive police presence, which clearly acted as a deterrent.'

'We liaised with the police before the game but we were mostly guided by them. They did whatever it took to make sure things went smoothly.'

He added: 'I would also like to thank the police for the level of service they provided for us with a heavy discount.

'Obviously 50% of the gate money was going to Wrexham and the police realised both clubs need whatever money they can get.'

Mr Vaughan said there was no truth to the reports on the Deva Chat website that the club will pay for any damage done to Wrexham fans' cars.

He said: 'People park in that car park at their own risk. Our own vehicles were damaged, and that damage would not have been caused by City fans.'