Hampshire Police will keep rival supporters separated for Sunday's south coast derby at St Mary's, with the coach-managed travel bubble that debuted last season set to return for the Championship fixture between Southampton and Portsmouth.

Why the bubble is back

The arrangement, which sees away supporters transported to and from the ground under close police escort, is a direct response to the disorder that accompanied the 2019 derby at Fratton Park. That fixture prompted a policing and club-level rethink that produced the bubble system when the clubs met in the Championship last season.

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dodds said Hampshire Constabulary had worked alongside both clubs to "make sure that we get it right and hopefully celebrate the success of another safe, enjoyable game for everyone." He added that the force received "a lot of positive feedback last time about people being able to bring their family and children along to games that might otherwise not have been the case."

Dodds acknowledged the inconvenience the system creates for some supporters but argued that "for the majority the feedback we get is it enables them to enjoy the day and to do it safely." He was clear, however, that any move away from the current approach is ultimately a decision for the clubs rather than the police.

The cost question

The reported operational cost of £400,000 has attracted scrutiny, and Dodds addressed the figure directly. He argued that "custodial sentences, criminal justice costs and post-match investigations can go on for years and they are well in excess of that amount of money," framing the upfront spend as cheaper in the long run than managing the consequences of disorder.

He conceded it is "a really challenging conversation and definitely ongoing at a national level," which is about as close to a straight answer as these things tend to produce.

What happened last season

The results of last season's policing were mixed in the sense that the matches passed without serious crowd trouble, but courts still processed 21 people for offences including throwing missiles, pitch invasion and criminal damage. Fines totalling more than £10,000 were handed down, and Football Banning Orders amounting to 61 years in total were issued. One supporter received a three-year ban and a fine after throwing a crutch that struck a ball boy at Fratton Park.

Dodds said specially trained officers would be deployed around the ground on Sunday, alongside other tactics the force declined to specify publicly. The operation will cover "the safe arrival and departure of all fans," coordinating the coach travel approach that both clubs have chosen to maintain.

The wider picture for supporters

For the thousands of fans from both sides who simply want to watch a Championship match, the bubble is a practical hurdle that comes with the territory of a fixture that carries this much local weight. The police position is that the system has earned its place: it keeps families in the ground and disorder manageable, even if it narrows the options for supporters who would prefer to make their own way.

Whether that arrangement continues beyond this season will depend on how Sunday goes and on conversations between the clubs and the force that Dodds suggested are already under way. For now, the bubble stands, and the second of this season's south coast derbies in the Championship will take place inside it.

Frequently asked

Why are Southampton and Portsmouth fans kept apart at the south coast derby?
Hampshire Police and both clubs introduced a coach-managed travel bubble for away supporters following serious disorder at the 2019 Fratton Park derby. The system is designed to prevent a repeat and allows families to attend safely.
How much does policing the south coast derby cost?
The reported cost of the police operation is around £400,000. Hampshire Constabulary argues that this is lower than the long-term costs of criminal justice proceedings that would follow any serious disorder.
What happened to fans arrested at last season's south coast derbies?
21 people appeared in court for offences including throwing missiles, pitch invasion and criminal damage. Courts handed out fines totalling over £10,000 and Football Banning Orders amounting to 61 years in total.