Concerns over Spireites-Blades match clashing with Remembrance parades

Concerns have been raised about hooligans causing trouble at a football match which coincides with Remembrance Day parades in Chesterfield.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Nov 2016, 12:31 BST
Updated 16th Nov 2016, 16:49 BST
Chesterfield Royal British Legion secretary Cecilia Harper and chairman Peter Fairey with members Jill Smethurst, Richard Bannister, Anne Hartley, Val Keeton and Derek MiddletonChesterfield Royal British Legion secretary Cecilia Harper and chairman Peter Fairey with members Jill Smethurst, Richard Bannister, Anne Hartley, Val Keeton and Derek Middleton
Chesterfield Royal British Legion secretary Cecilia Harper and chairman Peter Fairey with members Jill Smethurst, Richard Bannister, Anne Hartley, Val Keeton and Derek Middleton

The derby clash between Chesterfield and Sheffield United takes place at the Proact Stadium on Sunday, November 13 at 2.15pm.

The match had been due to take place the day before, but the game was selected by Sky Sports to be broadcast on television.

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Neither Chesterfield or Sheffield United made the decision to play the match at this time.

But the chairman of the Chesterfield branch of the Royal British Legion, Peter Fairey, said: “One of our members who is a Chesterfield season ticket holder, as I am, raised concerns that this match is going to be on Sunday, November 13, which of course, is Remembrance Sunday.

“The concern is that it could disrupt things.

“We understand that the match has to be played - but it is a matter of respect.

“Why should we be dictated to by Sky Sports?”

A number of services, including a parade organised by Chesterfield Borough Council, are due to take place around the same time that supporters of both teams will be heading to the game.

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Sky said the match was selected at the start of the season and that at the time they would not have known it would coincide with parades.

Superintendent Jim Allen: said: “The Sheffield United fixture is the biggest game of the season for Chesterfield and is the biggest football policing operation for the town this year. As a result, a significant number of police resources will be deployed to ensure that the game passes off without incident. The fixture will have no impact upon police assistance at remembrance events.”