The next East Anglian Derby is currently due to be played on Saturday 12th April, as Norwich City are looking to revive the unbeaten streak they lost when the two sides met at Portman Road in October, where Ipswich Town ran out as 3-1 winners.
However, the reverse fixture could be played under the Carrow Road lights on the Friday before, in a controversial move.
Norfolk Police To Intervene Controversially?
This is at the request of the Norfolk Police, as Network Rail is set to conduct work on the line between Norwich and Ipswich during that weekend, closing the line.
This would prove a safety risk as fans could be arriving from various routes as a result.
Norfolk Police want the match played on the Friday night before so that Ipswich fans can travel by train.
However, moving the fixture to a Friday night could impose safety risks and create an overload on the police force.
The local nightlife area on Prince of Wales Road is a very short walk from the stadium. This could be a spot for further fights amongst drunk fans and other people post-match.
Sky Sports tends to schedule local rivalries at midday on a Sunday. This has happened so far this season.
For example, local rivalries such as the Steel City Derby and the South Coast Derby.
The first East Anglian Derby was also a 12 pm kick-off on a Sunday earlier this season.
Conversations between the two clubs, the EFL and the police are underway. It is understood that Ipswich would prefer to play on the weekend rather than the Friday night, however.
This controversial option is one that is being considered.
If a weekend fixture is agreed, could we potentially see a series of coaches escorted along the A140?
There was a similar situation back in September, as Portsmouth fans were only permitted to travel to their South Coast derby via a series of escorted buses/coaches along the M27.
It’s an option that I could get behind, as it ensures the safety of everyone attending.
