Mass Brawl on Ebbw Vale train 12/11

[ChiefPlanner]

French fans are usually very entertaining. Was on a Glasgow - Euston one Sunday the day after Toulouse had won the Heineken Cup at Murrayfield.

We stopped at Rugby!

Cue 30 French fans piling off the train to take a group photo under the station sign while platform staff desperately tried to shepherd them back on board while the remaining (British) passengers reacted with either bemusement or amusement.

I agree - good banter with the French - caught a couple on the inwards workings with no tickets (probably used to Paris standards) - "desole Chef" and money passed over with no issues ....

 

[fowler9]

There do seem to be a number on here that think any aggro on the trains is drunken football fans. If it is more the case than with rugby fans it is probably because there are a lot more of them. I was in New Zealand during the Rugby Union World Cup and the Stadium being used in Nelson was about the size of South Liverpools ground which is now Liverpool South Parkway.

My point is it is a much less popular sport. It isn't Football or Rugby that is the problem, it is dealing with large numbers of drunk people.

My thoughts are with any train crew and passers by that were hurt.

 

[DarloRich]

Firelty - i hope the staff involved are recovering and are not badly affected by this terrible behavour.

Secondly - I'm fairly certain if this involved football fans the usual ruk frothers would be out wibbling themselves crazy. Odd that we aren't allowed to call out the rugger chaps for their behaviour.

Bet you never have problems with drunken hordes of sewing fans, or cooking fans, or even model railway fans...
It's strange how supporting so many sports involves getting unfit to walk, let alone actually be able to play the game

and yet the behaviour of spotters on their tours is often appalling.......

 

[Michael.Y]

All we know is that the assailant was a passenger on a train between Cardiff and Ebbw Vale. We've no idea of their personal preference in sport.

As for their behaviour on trains, I've yet to meet a member of an organised rugby hooligan gang who has boasted in the face of a BTP officer of the number of times he's been arrested and released without charge. I've also yet to see a segregated rugby match.

 

[WelshBluebird]

As for their behaviour on trains, I've yet to meet a member of an organised rugby hooligan gang who has boasted in the face of a BTP officer of the number of times he's been arrested and released without charge. I've also yet to see a segregated rugby match.

To be fair we can all use anecdotes. For example I've not seen a football fan having a tinkle in the vestibule of a HST but have seen a Rugby fan do exactly that between Newport and Cardiff on a match day.

In reality, a few people hit the nail right on the head earlier. International match days are used by a large number of people in South Wales as an excuse to drink! The fact the pubs in town are always rammed when a game is on is testament to that.

 

[Michael.Y]

In reality, a few people hit the nail right on the head earlier. International match days are used by a large number of people in South Wales as an excuse to drink!

Was probably a disgruntled shopper choosing an international match day as an ideal opportunity to buy some overpriced tat.

 

[Greenback]

I'm fairly certain if this involved football fans the usual ruk frothers would be out wibbling themselves crazy. Odd that we aren't allowed to call out the rugger chaps for their behaviour.

There is no evidence that those involved were rugby fans, and it would be just as silly to call out football fans for an incident if it couldn't be established that was what they were.

Since we can't seem to get away form the football fans v rugby fans aspect of this thread, I see no need for the thread to stay open.