Muratti day trip is cut to curb heavy drinking

Guernsey traditionally takes hundreds of fans to Jersey for the big game – far fewer Jersey fans head in the other direction – and there have been incidents in recent years.

Guernsey fans have often been escorted back to the harbour by Jersey Police, usually for their own safety.

The fans were due to arrive in Jersey with Condor Ferries at 10.40am on Saturday 21 May, ahead of a 2pm kick-off.

This week Condor bowed to pressure from Jersey Police and changed the boat time to get into St Helier at 12.30pm.

It still leaves Jersey at 6.30pm to return home.

A Condor spokesman confirmed the outbound journey had been put back by just under two hours at the request of the Jersey authorities.

The Jersey FA said that police had always been preparing for trouble.

‘At our very first meeting with the police, they made it clear that we had to minimise the opportunity of fans congregating and drinking in St Helier for a period of time on Muratti day,’ said Jersey FA CEO and former Muratti manager Dave Kennedy.

‘They then insisted that we speak to Condor about moving the arrival time back in order to ensure this would be the case.

‘I am as disappointed as anyone as I know how special the occasion is, but the Guernsey fans will still have more than enough time to arrive at Springfield and enjoy the build-up.’

Jersey Police confirmed its officers had requested a change in the boat time in a bid to cut drinking before the match.

GFA chief executive Gary Roberts said it was a shame.

‘This is disappointing for the Guernsey supporters who were looking forward to enjoying a day out in Jersey for a Muratti for the first time in four years,’ he said.

The Guernsey team is flying on the morning of the match, but the GFA has had to change travel plans for some officials who were travelling on the boat.

This will be the first Muratti final since the start of the pandemic, and the first in Jersey since 2018, and a large number of Guernsey fans are expected to travel for the match.

‘We have waited a long time for the return of Murattis and the modifications to Springfield will mean the spectator experience will be better than ever,’ said Mr Kennedy.

‘I am sure Guernsey will bring their tremendous support and play their part in creating an amazing atmosphere.’

Part of the ‘cage’ around the pitch at Springfield has been removed this spring.

Violence has not been an issue at Murattis in Guernsey for many years, but there have been sporadic incidents in Jersey. In 2006, when Guernsey lost, there was fighting at the Springfield ground and damage caused in the streets of St Helier, there was a punch-up on the pitch immediately after the final whistle when Guernsey won in 2010, and most recently in the streets after the game in 2016.

A group of supporters were ejected from the ground fairly early on in the game and police set up a cordon in the streets afterwards, before escorting the Guernsey fans to the boat.