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| Rhyl cancel Chester's visit |
| Tuesday 13 July 2010 |
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RHYL have been forced to cancel their home game against Chester on Saturday for fear of a repeat after their ‘fans’ rampaged through Colwyn Bay last Saturday. Rhyl, relegated from the Welsh Premier League at the end of last season after difficulties in clearing an unpaid tax bill were looking forward to a bumper crowd against the newly-reformed Chester FC. But, after drunken Chester fans ran amok through Colwyn Bay and caused a mini-riot at their Llanelian Road ground last Saturday, North Wales Police advised Rhyl to cancel the game. The Lilywhites will instead play Blue Square Bet Premier Altrincham at Belle Vue on Friday evening (7.30pm). Rhyl manager Greg Strong, who has a long-standing friendship with his Alty counterpart Graham Heathcote. “Everyone here was looking forward to welcoming Chester and a few familiar faces to Belle Vue,” Strong told the Daily Post. “But we value our supporters and a lot of work has been done to improve the ground, so we felt we could not take any chances. “As it is, Graham is an old friend and he has helped us out massively by agreeing to send a side along on Friday evening. “It is much appreciated and it should be an attractive match for our supporters.” A Rhyl spokesman said: “Following a meeting with North Wales Police, Saturday’s scheduled match against Chester is off. Fans are likely to be aware of the trouble which flared from a minority of Chester fans during their friendly at Colwyn Bay on Saturday, which resulted in a heavy police presence. “Police intelligence have reports that the same minority of the newly reformed club were planning a similar situation for the match at Belle Vue on Saturday which would likely escalate into the town centre.” Chief Superintendent Andy Williams said: “The events at Colwyn Bay on Saturday July 10 were unacceptable. Police resources from across North Wales were called in to deal with groups of people causing violence both before and during the game. “I deliberately do not refer to these individuals as ‘football fans’ and I recognise that the majority of Chester FC followers are law abiding people who simply want to watch a game. However, we are not willing to tolerate a repeat of despicable behaviour by a minority of mindless thugs intent on causing harm to people and property. “We are proud of a close relationship with the football club and they unreservedly agreed to this request.” |