Former West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa star: Why have a kick off at 5.30pm?
Former Albion and Villa striker Garry Thompson today added his voice to those questioning the 5.30pm kick-off between Villa and Albion.
Mr Thompson, who played for both clubs in the 1980s, was at the game on Saturday.
He said: "I walked through the Albion fans before the game. There was a bit of banter but no edge of violence that I could tell.
"But people carry on drinking and then more things might happen.
"These late games have to be better stewarded.
"In the week people finish work late and they don't have the chance to get at it. But on a Saturday they can be waking up from eight in the morning – what are they going to do?"
He also believes the jubilant home fans went too far by confronting players on the pitch. Thousands of supporters invaded the pitch before and after the final whistle celebrating Villa's 2-0 win over their Midlands rivals.
He said: "I can't understand the fans who went on before the final whistle. I can understand it at the end – that happens in cup ties, people get excited, it was a joyous occasion.
"But since then I have heard about a couple of incidents where players have been jostled by those fans. That shouldn't happen. Banter is fair enough but there is no need to do that.
"It wasn't the best day for Midlands football when it should have been great."
