A crusading Hull City fan has been explaining his decision to launch legal action against West Yorkshire Police over the Huddersfield tickets row.
Louis Cooper, 15, has taken the action over travelling restrictions imposed on Tigers' fans for the match.The teenager, who lives in Manchester, has instructed solicitors to challenge the police's decision forcing Hull fans to travel on official coaches from the city, regardless of where they live.
Louis, who travels to every Hull City home and away game, said he would have to make a 350-mile round trip to the game when the ground is just 30 miles away from his house.
He said: "How is it that I am treated like a criminal and have to accept these ridiculous restrictions?
"I have travelled to Beijing to watch Hull City and have done so without restrictions.
"The police have made it impossible for a lot of fans to go to the game.
"This will be the first away game I will miss this season."
The match on March 30 was originally set for 12.30pm, but kick-off has now been changed to 5.20pm because the game is to be televised on Sky Sports.
West Yorkshire Police originally refused permission for the game to be held at this time due to cost of policing and concerns at the prospect of away fans drinking in Huddersfield before the match starts.
They changed their mind when a series of sanctions were agreed, which included the travel restrictions and Hull City being allocated only 1,500 tickets for the Championship clash at the John Smith's Stadium, which can hold up to 4,000 away fans.
Disabled supporters will be allowed to travel to the game independently from Tiger Travel, providing they are accompanied only by their sole carer.
Louis said: "One of my best friends lives in Hull and is disabled so he needs assistance from both his parents and usually stays in a hotel after the game.
"But, unfortunately, West Yorkshire police have only accommodated for people who need help from one person.
"This means my friend cannot attend the game either."
As Louis is under 18, his grandmother Sylvia Rothwell will act as his litigation friend if the case comes to court.
Lochlinn Parker, the solicitor acting for Louis from law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn, said: "Fans like Louis are baffled as to why the police have categorised this game at the highest-risk level and placed restrictions on the free movement of fans.
"We believe the decision is unlawful and will be writing to the police shortly to ask them to drop the restrictions.
"We hope they will but, if not, we will be left with no alternative but to make an application for judicial review of the decision."
The same fixture at the KC Stadium earlier this season passed without incident and last season no Hull City fans was arrested for an alcohol- related offence.
Both Huddersfield and Hull City fans have joined forces in condemning the police's sanctions.
