Double Derby Day: this Toon is big enough for the both of us

Officials have moved to allay fears revolving around the safety of Newcastle City Centre playing host to two ferocious rivalries on the same day.

On Sunday  4 March, Newcastle University take on bitter rivals Northumbria to contest the annual Stan Calvert Cup, but on the same afternoon, Premier League side Newcastle United host their local counterparts Sunderland in the much anticipated Tyne-Wear derby.

Holding both events simultaneously has caused a number of observers to voice their concerns about the wellbeing of students and the possibility of clashes between football fans and Stan Calvert participants as both flock to the city centre in either celebration or despair.

There have been cases over the years in which students have found themselves in conflict with residents of the North East in the middle of town and, with hostilities usually heightened by derby day, many have been alerted to the possible problems an increased student presence could create.

Earlier in the season Northumbria police made 21 arrests in connection with the match at The Stadium of Light back in August. And, after the Magpies 5-1 win last season, police had to make 37 arrests in the periods before, during and after the match.

While police will be expecting a number of disturbances caused by football fans going by past experiences, they will also be weary of the disorder students can cause as well. It was only two years ago that Newcastle and Northumbria students forced Bar 42 to close three hours early after Stan Calvert participants began vandalising and rioting inside the venue.

However, despite these previous incidents, those involved in the organisation are convinced that this year’s Stan Calvert events and celebrations will go off without a hitch. Newcastle City Centre Pubwatch Chairman and Sam Jacks owner Damian Conway confident that the centre will be “extremely safe”.

Conway also says he is satisfied by the football fixture being moved to a midday slot, stating that this puts “a river and five hours between fans and students” and he is pulling out all the stops to ensure that there is very little opportunity for fans and students to mix in the city centre. Suggesting that the likelihood of many supporters still stumbling around town on Sunday evening are minimal, the Utopian Leisure Group Marketing Manager is set to close Sam Jacks in the afternoon to eject football followers and prepare for Newcastle University students in the evening, stating that only persons in possession of NUS cards will be allowed into the venue.

Conway admits that the outcome of having both events staged on the same day isn’t desirable and the possibility of having them staged a week apart would be preferable. However this wish is more to do with the strain put on his business rather than the negligible dangers that students face, as a large police presence and state of the art CCTV systems draw Conway to the conclusion that he would be “surprised if there is any situation.”

The University officials involved with Stan Calvert, Performance Sports Manager Fraser Kennedy and AU officer Alice Holloway, share the views held by the Newcastle City Pubwatch Chairman.  Kennedy stated that after meetings with the Chief Inspector of Northumbria Police, there are ‘no concerns’ held by Newcastle University with regards to the wellbeing of their students after Stan Calvert’s conclusion.

Kennedy did say that “a letter is due to be sent out to all students asking them to avoid the city centre between 12pm and 5pm” but he was quick to stress that this was normal University procedure and that the letter would have been sent out irrespective of when Stan Calvert was to be held. He also added that there were no fears from the police about fans mixing with students, as “the majority will be away from the city centre by the time the students go out.”

Union representative Holloway further quashed fears by making the stance of the AU perfectly clear, stating that they wished “all students to stay safe during Stan Calvert, but as kick-off for the football is early in the day at 12pm, they don’t foresee any trouble in town due to the clash.”

While safety is indisputably paramount for the University, they also have another problem to contend with as there is the possibility of a number of top athletes being torn between representing their University and attending one of the most mouth-watering ties the Barclays Premier League has to offer.

While both University spokespeople are aware that spectator numbers may dwindle due to the clash, both are confident in the pride all athletes hold in their positions representing Team Newcastle maintaining that they would be astounded if any individual decides to let their team mates down.

Hollway said she “wasn’t worried about losing athletes on the day as I know how much the students enjoy competing”, exclaiming, “who could resist the offer of beating the Poly for a fifth consecutive year!”

Kennedy’s sentiments were of the same nature, pointing to the once in a lifetime aspect of representing the University, concluding “I have no fears athletes will pick going to this match over playing in Stan Calvert, you only get a few chances to take part, you can go to as many Tyne and Wear derbies as you want.”

Newcastle is primed for a feast of sport on the first Sunday in March and whatever occurs there are guaranteed to be a number of scuffles and brawls. But officials and police are hoping that these conflicts are confined to the playing fields and as long as Newcastle United and Newcastle University fulfill their roles, it will be hugs rather than punches being exchanged in the Bigg Market.