Report divulges police fears of derby violence Blues fans have ‘second worst record for disorder in league’
BIRMINGHAM City Football Club has the second worst record in the Championship for disorder at matches, according to a national police intelligence report.
A heavily-redacted West Midlands Police document revealed the dismal findings amid plans to prevent trouble at the so-called ‘clappergate’ derby against Aston Villa last autumn. A heavy police presence at St Andrews on Sunday, October 29 left the force with a £41,245 bill, which was paid by the hosts.
Officers were pelted with missiles and complimentary clappers provided by the Blues were thrown at Villa players, with the gesture subsequently branded an “awful and naive idea” by police.
Ahead of the game, tactics includ- ed deploying spotters with knowledge of troublemakers and the authority to speak to known faces.
Villa boss Steve Bruce’s return to his old club was also identified as one possible flashpoint.
Chief Superintendent Steve Graham produced a 46-page plan including risks, the command structure and preventative measures.
In the intelligence summary, Chief Supt Graham writes: “This is considered the biggest derby in the West Midlands and the two sets of supporters have a long-standing history of disorder.
“Recent fixtures have not seen levels of violence evident in derbies of 10 years ago or so, but it is also true that WMP [REDACTED].
“While both clubs have organised groups of risk supporters, [REDACTED]. In the recent UKFPU [UK Football Policing Unit] report, BC were rated the second worst in the league based on arrests.”
The document, released under the Freedom of Information Act, mentions “seat kills” creating a buffer zone between rival fans, before touching on the Blues coach.
“There have been historic flashpoints in this fixture around the managers,” the report reads.
“Steve Bruce, the AV manager, is a former BC manager so this may be exacerbated [REDACTED].”
But with Sky television cameras fixed on the game, officers were keen to portray the force in a positive light. Another section reads: “The way in which we are seen by key members of our communities in such a high-profile event will have a direct impact on their impression of the WMP, and their faith in our ability to deliver a first class, impartial service based upon what they see on TV, read about in the press and hear reports of disorder and about from their friends. Given the large pitch invasion at the end of the AV v WBA FA Cup tie, it is important that WMP is seen as a force that can police such large events. This match is also being shown live on Sky TV and has a high profile nationally as well as locally.”
Police ultimately made four arrests for violent disorder, three for public order, one for pitch encroachment and one each for affray and breach of the peace.
Chief Sup Graham said afterwards the vast majority of spectators were well-behaved and thanked Villa fans for their patience in being held back after the final whistle.
A spokesman for Birmingham City dismissed the intelligence rating as an “old story” and said: “We have no comment to make anyway.”
The spokesman added that police knew in advance of the plans to give out clappers and had not objected.