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Luton fans banned from Watford pubs on match day

Kimberley Piper & Justin Dealey
BBC News, Hertfordshire
Getty Images A general view outside Vicarage Road stadium. There is the black and yellow crescent of Watford which has a red moose on it. To its right are the words WATFORD FC in red. Getty Images
Luton Town will take on Watford at Vicarage Road in their Championship game on Sunday

Luton Town fans will not be able to use pubs in Watford when the two rival football clubs face each other on Sunday.

Hertfordshire Police said it was licensees that had taken the decision to not serve Hatters fans when their team takes on the The Hornets in the Championship battle at Vicarage Road.

The force warned home fans they would not be allowed to exit the stadium via Vicarage Road itself until away fans had left after the match which kicks off at 12:00 GMT.

Ch Insp Ian Grout said: "Our primary role is safety… Watford fans will be free to leave through Cardiff Road or into Harwoods Road into west Watford."

"As the police we do not have the power to say to pubs you must open to away fans," he added.

Police have also put in place an alcohol ban on Vicarage Road, along with greater resources on the day.

PA Media Watford's Jeremy Ngakia (left) in black and white kit and Luton Town's Alfie Doughty, in orange, battle for the ball during a Sky Bet Championship match at Kenilworth Road.PA Media
The two teams last met at Kenilworth Road, Luton, in October

The last time the rivals faced each other was on 19 October when Luton came out on top with a 3-0 home win at Kenilworth Road.

Ahead of that game Hornets' fans were brought into Luton by coaches.

On Sunday, 230 police officers will be working at the stadium and behind the scenes.

That level of policing is about eight times more resources compared to Watford's game against Leeds 11 February.

Chris Gurney/BBC High-vis police car bonnets seen as a group of cars are parked together.Chris Gurney/BBC
During Sunday's game 230 police officers will be working at the stadium and behind the scenes

Planning for the game started four months ago.

Ch Insp Grout, a self-confessed Watford supporter, added: "If [Watford fans] wait for 15 minutes after the game, once Luton fans have exited, we will open up Vicarage Road.

"It's an important match for both teams and I want people to come and enjoy the game and be safe.

"If fans are intent on coming to cause disorder we will deal with that accordingly, so please don't come.

"Our plans in place will happen and everyone will come watch a game of football and go home safely."

There will be drink kiosks open for Watford fans who choose to wait for the opening of Vicarage road.

Luton last visited Vicarage Road in October 2022 when the team lost 4-0 against Watford.

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