Norwich v Ipswich match in April could be moved to Friday...

(EEN)

Engineering works on the line between Norwich and Ipswich mean the next East Anglian derby could be switched to a Friday night, sparking fears of trouble on the city streets.

Norfolk police have approached the two clubs and the football league about potentially moving the Carrow Road fixture to the evening of April 10, rather than the following afternoon as currently scheduled.

The prospect of an evening kick off has triggered concerns it could lead to more disorder, as fans would have longer to drink beforehand, while officers will also have to deal with usual Friday night activities in the city centre.

Talks between the clubs, the police and the football league are under way.

The derby is currently due to be played at 3pm on Saturday April 11, but the often fiery fixture has regularly been switched to 12pm on a Sunday to head off disorder.

However, with Network Rail due to be carrying out engineering work on the railway line between Norwich and
Ipswich that weekend, it is understood that police are worried that, with train services disrupted, more fans will arrive by car - making it harder to marshal them.

Norfolk Constabulary has approached the clubs and the EFL about moving the match and it is understood one of the options is for an evening kick-off on Friday, April 10, when trains will be available.

A police spokeswoman said: “We're having ongoing conversations with all partners to explore the options available.”

Network Rail did not respond to a request for a comment, but a spokesman for Greater Anglia, which runs the trains, said: "We are aware of the gameweek when this match is scheduled and will ensure we work closely with all stakeholders involved when preparing."

Norwich City and their Suffolk rivals have not commented publicly.

But it is understood Ipswich Town Football Club is keen for the game to be played at the weekend, rather than on the Friday night - and officials are making representations about how to achieve that.

If the game is played on the Friday night, it would be the first evening Carrow Road derby date since a Friday fixture in September 1997.

On that occasion, the Canaries, in front of 18,911 fans - some 7,000 fewer than are likely to pack Carrow Road next time around - triumphed 2-1.

Winger Darren Eadie put Norwich City ahead, and a Jason Cundy own goal doubled their lead. Mark Stein, on loan from Chelsea, netted Ipswich's consolation.

However, the prospect of a Friday night kick-off next April has raised eyebrows, given the often volatile nature of the fixture and the ground's proximity to Norwich's busy night-time district of Prince of Wales Road.

People living in the area are worried that fans from both clubs could take the Friday afternoon off and start drinking hours before kick-off.

When the two sides last met at Carrow Road - which had a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday, April 6 and ended in a 1-0 win for the Canaries - there were ugly scenes as rival fans confronted each other.

Seventeen people were arrested over violent disorder which broke out in roads near Carrow Road and some supporters were given jail sentences.

Previous years have also seen trouble and arrests before and after games between the two sides.

During a derby match at Ipswich's Portman Road in December last year, chants of "scum" were directed at

Norwich City's then joint majority shareholder Delia Smith, with a can of lager thrown at her car.

The animosity could be even fiercer this year, with Norwich City currently facing a fight against relegation and their bitter rivals chasing a return to the Premier League.

Norwich City's controversial sale of Marcelino Nunez, who scored the winner against Ipswich the last time the sides met at Carrow Road, to the Tractor Boys has also upped the ante.

Posted By: DrDublin on November 27th 2025 at 10:15:48

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