Portsmouth chief addresses future of controversial south-coast derby 'bubble' with Southampton
Pompey and Southampton fans will once again use ‘club-managed travel’ for both south-coast derbies this season.
Andy Cullen is hopeful Pompey and Southampton can one-day move away from ‘club-managed travel’ for future south-coast derbies.
But the Fratton chief has reiterated supporter safety and protection will always remain priority in any future decision making.
The Blues lock horns with their bitter rivals on Sunday lunchtime for the first encounter of the campaign between the two south-coast sides.
Around 2,500 members of the Fratton faithful will make the short trip across the M27 to St Mary’s on club-arranged coaches, the third time the system has been in place.
It was initially introduced for Pompey supporters in 2012 and returned for for both the Blues and Southampton in the respective encounters last season.
However, the controversial transport method divided the Fratton faithful, with a Portsmouth Supporters’ Trust survey last term stating a total of 51 per cent were in favour while 49 per cent were opposed.
Pompey chief’s ‘bubble’ hope for south-coast derby
Changes have been made for this Sunday’s showdown, with supporters departing Fratton Park an hour later than their trip last 13-months ago.
Indeed, Cullen is adamant fan safety remains the priority but has left the door open to one-day moving away from the ‘bubble’ system.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, the Fratton Park CEO said: ‘I’ve been told by my safety officer to call it club-managed travel as opposed to a bubble but I know exactly where you’re coming from and that’s how supporters think of it.
‘I think that would very much be the hope that we can get to a situation where people can treat a derby game in a different way and be able to travel freely.
‘We’re not wedded to the principle of a ‘bubble’ fixture, what we’re wedded to is the principle of everyone getting to the game safe and has an enjoyable experience.
‘And I think that was one of the successes of last season for both clubs that supporters from both clubs felt secure, they felt safe, they came to the ground without incident and got to a point which we hugely want to replicate this year.
‘None of us want to take the passion and the intensity out of these games, they’re not ordinary games. They’re massive for supporters on both sides, we understand that and sometimes tensions can overrun.
‘But I’ve got a duty to make sure that we do our best and I’m sure Southampton do the exact same way to make sure supporters do feel safe, can travel to the game in comfort and when they’re inside the ground feel protected and safe.
‘That is our overwhelming priority but overtime lets see if we can get to a stage where arrangements are somewhat different to what we saw last season and what we’re seeing this season.’