I WAS at the Reebok for the Everton game, and didn't witness any trouble myself.

However, I'm really disappointed at the fact that the club has apparently sold blocks of tickets to away fans, in the home stands. I don't have a great problem with away supporters being in the home stands - it's not a major problem when there's a bloke and his lad minding their own business.

However, the club have been very naive in allowing large numbers of away fans to group together. Home fans should not feel intimidated by away supporters in areas of the ground where they ought to feel safe.

So what's the solution? It certainly isn't to hand over the whole of the South Stand to away fans - that would just mean that fewer home fans could get in. And we would then end up with one of the smallest grounds in the division, and by far the largest away allocation.

The problem isn't the allocation to away fans, it is in the way it is managed.

Away tickets should be given to the away club to sell from their own ticket office. No away fans should be allowed to travel to the Reebok without a ticket, to purchase on the day, and as extra security against block-booking, all ticket purchases on the day should be limited to two adults.

Some will slip through the net, though most will be well behaved.

However, when there is trouble, the stewards and police must act more quickly and decisively inside the ground than they are currently appearing to do.

Colin Firth

Colin Firth graphic design

Strines Close,

Hindley

colin.firth@tc