Christmas football fixtures should be held locally

12.00.00am GMT Fri 30th Dec 2005

Football fixtures during the festive period should be held between clubs in the same part of the country in order to reduce the long distances experienced by many supporters and teams this week, Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell said today.

Bob Russell MP will put forward a motion in the House of Commons calling on the football authorities to ensure that in future years the festive fixtures should keep travel to a minimum.

Commenting, Mr Russell, a life-long supporter of Colchester United, said:

"Football authorities should take account of traveling distances for players and supporters during this period of the year. Local derbies would be a welcome feature at Christmas and the New Year.

"The football authorities could easily arrange fixtures which would minimise travel over the festive season and encourage greater attendance at games. Clearly travel times are not taken into account at the moment."