Louise Clarke urges calm as Notts County lead Chesterfield 1-0
notts county take a 1-0 lead into tonight’s League Two play-off semi-final second leg against Chesterfield, and Nottinghamshire Police have asked supporters to keep the focus on the football at Meadow Lane. A capacity crowd is expected for the 8 pm kick-off, with a Wembley place at stake.
Superintendent Louise Clarke said officers will be on hand to make sure the match runs smoothly. She urged fans not to let emotions get the better of them, saying: “We completely appreciate the significance of tonight’s match, but it is important people don’t allow their emotions to get the better of them.”
Louise Clarke at Meadow Lane
Clarke said the force expects most supporters to behave properly. “From experience, we know the vast majority of supporters will be going to enjoy the football, cheer their team on, and not cause any trouble whatsoever,” she said. “Our main goal is to engage with both sets of supporters and ensure they can all watch the match safely before going home afterwards without any issues.”
She also warned that officers would act if the occasion turned ugly. “We’re not there to ruin anyone’s fun, but I’d stress that our officers will look to take positive action against anyone who tries to spoil the event for the vast majority,” Clarke said.
March 14 Disorder
The appeal comes after football-related disorder in Nottingham city centre following the League Two tie between Notts and Chesterfield on 14 March. Nottinghamshire Police said two fans were charged this week after that earlier trouble, following arrests on Wednesday 13 May.
Charlie Miller, 29, of Tibshelf, Alfreton, was charged with a Section 4 public order offence, along with a 17-year-old boy. Both were bailed with strict conditions until their court dates.
Charges and Bail Conditions
The conditions bar either suspect from attending any Notts County match. They also stop them from being in the vicinity of any ground where Notts are playing, home or away, in the hours before and after kick-off. Miller will appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 4 June, while the 17-year-old boy is due there on 1 June.
Clarke said violence, disorder, or antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated, and warned that fans who get involved in that type of behaviour risk prosecutions and banning orders preventing them from going to matches.
