During today's Bolton Wanderers / Man U match, the announcer mentioned that fans were asked not to display the away club's colors at the Reebok. I wondered if anyone could shed a little more light on this how this policy came about. If the away club's color is red, would a spectator be denied admittance simply for wearing a red shirt? Or just for wearing the away club's jersey? Is this common at other stadia in England? Thanks!
Yeah, someone wearing a United shirt would not be allowed in the Bolton end and vice versa. The reason is simple, safety and security. Bolton fans do not like United fans and there would have been trouble if the fans were in the wrong section or openly displayed the wrong colours. You often find that in derby games, such as Bolton V United, where there is a lot of bad blood and risk of violence that the game kicks off early (ie midday today) and that there are restrictions on the ticket avaliablity. Not being allowed into a ground while wearing another teams colours is a pretty standard thing throughout England and most probably Europe.
It sounded to me like the commentator (sorry, don't remember who it was) was talking about an entire section of away supporters, not the occasional away supporter mixed in with the home crowd. But it sounds like, from what Prenn said, the travelling fans do have their own section at the Reebok, but can't wear their team colors anyway? I'm accustomed to seeing sections full of away fans, all wearing their team colors...that's why the comment struck me as odd. But I do see the security advantages.