Portsmouth fans face another season of mandatory 'bubble' bus travel for the away fixture at Southampton, with the first derby of the campaign scheduled for October 11. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary estimates policing the two south-coast derbies this season will cost £400,000, a reduction from the £500,000 spent last term. Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said the managed travel approach, while unpopular, has proven successful in maintaining safety and hopes it can be scrapped in future seasons if the risk level decreases.
Fewer Public Support Unit officers will be deployed this season, contributing to the lower projected cost. Jones expects the final bill to be closer to £200,000 per game. The legislation that limits how much police can charge the clubs for operations outside their stadiums remains unchanged, meaning the force can only recoup around £35,000 from each club per match.
How the bubble system works
Away supporters for the October 11 match at St Mary's must travel on designated buses from set pick-up points, with the majority departing from Fratton Park at 08:55 for the midday kick-off. Portsmouth have been allocated 2,500 tickets for the game. This system is a continuation of the one introduced last season when the fixture returned after a 13-year absence. Jones acknowledged the inconvenience, stating she appreciates it means a long day for fans but insists it is the best way to keep people safe.
Police perspective on safety
Donna Jones praised last season's derby operations, which resulted in minimal arrests and trouble, allowing thousands of families to attend. She told reporters that the force would love to move away from the buses in the future if the two clubs remain in the same league and the threat assessment allows. The current risk level, informed by intelligence and a history of disorder including a problematic 2019 meeting, necessitates the intervention. Jones emphasised that the vast majority of fans are law-abiding and the goal is to prevent a repeat of past incidents that saw serious injuries and public disorder.
Portsmouth head into this key fixture sitting 19th in the Championship with 8 points from their opening seven games. Their recent form reads DDWLL, with their last outing a 2-2 home draw against Blackburn Rovers before the international break. The team's goal minutes, with 7 scored and 12 conceded, highlight the need for defensive improvement ahead of this key match. A positive result at St Mary's would provide a significant boost to their league position. After the derby, the next fixtures see Pompey host Stoke City on October 19.
The return south-coast derby is scheduled for Sunday, February 28 at Fratton Park.
The original report is at Portsmouth News
