As excitement builds for the upcoming East Anglian derby between Norwich City and Ipswich Town, concerns have emerged regarding a proposed shift in the kick-off time to a Friday evening. This change, suggested due to engineering works on the rail line connecting the two cities, could see the match rescheduled from April 11 to April 10. Such a move has raised alarms about the potential for increased disorder in Norwich. Read more about Rowett Confident Norwich Can Avoid Relegation Threat.
Norfolk police are currently in discussions with both clubs and the English Football League to address the implications of this potential change. The primary worry is that an evening kick-off would allow fans more time to consume alcohol before the match, coinciding with the usual Friday night activities in Norwich's city centre, complicating policing efforts. Read more about Hareide Battles Brain Cancer, Football Community Unites.
Historically, fixtures between these two clubs have been moved to earlier times to mitigate the risk of unrest. In recent seasons, these matches have often been scheduled for Sunday afternoons, with the last encounter at Carrow Road, which ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Norwich, taking place at 12:30 PM. Read more about Zimmermann Retires: Norwich City Legend Calls Time on Career.
The engineering work planned by Network Rail over that weekend has raised specific concerns for police regarding transport disruptions. Such interruptions could lead to an influx of fans travelling by car, further complicating crowd management. A police spokeswoman stated, “We’re having ongoing conversations with all partners to explore the options available.”
While Network Rail has yet to issue a public statement regarding the fixture, a representative from Greater Anglia, the train service operator, has confirmed awareness of the derby's timing and their commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders.
Despite the logistical challenges posed by a Friday night kick-off, Ipswich Town Football Club has expressed a preference for the match to remain scheduled over the weekend. Club officials are reportedly advocating for this outcome, as a Friday evening fixture would mark the first such derby at Carrow Road since September 1997, when Norwich secured a 2-1 victory before nearly 19,000 fans.
However, the prospect of a Friday night match has raised significant concerns, particularly given the derby's history of volatility. Local residents fear that fans might take time off work, leading to excessive drinking prior to the game.
The previous derby at Carrow Road was marred by incidents of violence, resulting in 17 arrests in the vicinity of the stadium. Such confrontations are not isolated; earlier matches have witnessed escalated tensions between supporters. With Norwich City currently battling against relegation and Ipswich aiming for promotion to the Premier League, the atmosphere is expected to be charged.
Adding to the rivalry, Norwich City recently transferred midfielder Marcelino Nunez—who netted the decisive goal in the last derby—to Ipswich, further intensifying the competitive spirit between the clubs. As discussions regarding the kick-off time continue, the outcome of this significant match remains uncertain, with both clubs and the police acutely aware of the potential implications.