Safety advice for travelling away fans

For football fans, one of the joys of following a team is travelling to an away match, and the last thing that anyone would want to experience on such a trip is an accident or injury. Taking safety advice into consideration makes for a smoother and happier day out for the away fan.

Thankfully, the days of widespread hooliganism in the game are long gone. Arsenal fans of a certain age will remember the dark days of hooliganism and such incidents as clashes with Millwall fans following the Gunners’ win over their London rivals in an FA Cup match in January 1988. Improved policing and stewarding and the introduction of all-seater stadiums are two of the more significant factors in the decline of violent incidents around matches, but they do still occur in isolation.

If trouble does break out, the first step for any fan is to keep calm. Staying calm means being able to make decisions clearly and methodically. Avoiding confrontation is essential, so fans trying to stay clear of trouble should not give in to threats of intimidation or confrontation. Sticking with family and friends is another wise step, and any fans accompanied by children should ensure their safety first and foremost. Move with the flow of people to avoid becoming isolated and a target for hooligans.

It is much more likely for football fans to be involved in an accident than a violent incident, though it has to be said that accidents are also thankfully rare. The newer generation of stadiums tend to be built in less-congested, out-of-town locations, but many football grounds in the UK are in built-up areas. This can mean busy approach roads and public transport stops that can become crowded on match days. Following the advice of police and stewards on the ground is essential.

In a built-up area where traffic is heavy, the idea that someone could be struck by a car or bus is not outlandish. In the event of being struck by a vehicle, the first thing that an accident victim should do, if possible, is to get off the street to avoid further harm. It is essential to stay calm. The police should be called and the person struck by the vehicle, or those travelling with them, should request that the driver remain on the scene to assist police with their enquiries.

The best legal advice would be for all parties to an accident to exchange only the most basic of information. Bus injury lawyers will be happy to discuss with any accident victim the necessary steps to take in order to obtain compensation for injuries. Medical help is another essential step, and the victim should ask themselves basic questions such as where in the body hurts, and are there visible injuries or bleeding?

Away days in football should be a memorable experience for all the right reasons. Fans attending an away match should take into account relevant safety advice before travelling to ensure a great day out, regardless of the result.