Home Canterbury News Article
Whitstable game called off over riot fears
15:34, 09 August 2011
by Joe Walker
Whitstable Town’s scheduled friendly with Horsham FC was cancelled today over fears surrounding the riots in London.
West Sussex side Horsham had been due to play Town at the Belmont tonight (Tuesday), but decided to call the game off over concerns players will have to travel through the capital.
The Hornets assistant manager Hugo Langton said it wasn’t worth the risk with further trouble expected.
He told the West Sussex County Times: “With all the social unrest after dark at the moment it is going to affect a number of us, including myself and manager Justin Luchford, along with about eight of our players.
“It’s not a problem getting to Whitstable, but getting back we would have to travel through places that have been affected and it’s not fair to put people in that situation for a friendly.
“People’s safety comes first of course but it is a bit annoying because Justin and I know their manager well and it would have been a good game.”
Town boss Peter Nott said: “I am disappointed, but I completely understand and fully support their decision - players safety must come first.”
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