Football fans "have been told to stay away from a Lancashire town" where traveling supporters "regularly stop off on their way to games," according to the BBC. Chorley Council wants to stop coaches of away fans from visiting its town center because it said that fans have been "intimidating" residents and shoppers. A letter was sent to clubs saying fans were "not welcome." Chorley councilor Danny Gee, who sent the letter on behalf of the council's Town Centre Team, "later clarified they were specifically targeting coach loads of fans" and admitted the letter "could have been worded better." Gee said that congregating coaches had become a "big problem" (BBC, 8/16). In London, Jack Watson reported the letter "attracted criticism from football fans," with Football Supporters' Federation caseworker Amanda Jacks being left "genuinely speechless." She called on Chorley to "embrace" the traveling fans, saying, "All they want to do is have a pint or two, maybe a bit of a sing song and then be on their way having contributed to your local economy" (INDEPENDENT, 8/16).
