AS I look forward to the big Rovers v Burnley derby clash on April 1, I can only look on in amazement at the situation concerning the proposed transport arrangements for away supporters.

The arrangements are bad enough but the fact that the club has suggested this and is organising it is even worse.

The provision of free transport to Turf Moor for Rovers fans in December worked so well and, in co-operation with excellent policing, made for a trouble-free day for our supporters. The idea of asking Burnley fans to pay £4 for a similar service is a joke.

What are they trying to achieve? The result will be fans making their own way to Blackburn instead of the majority being under a police escort on official coaches.

You can see what's going to happen a mile off. All the police preparation for the game, all the money spent on the operation, could be for nothing.

If, as we are always led to believe, Burnley are a big club with rich financial backers, surely the coach cost is minimal.

Not to tar everyone with the same brush, but there is a hooligan element with any club. Unfortunately, they are bound to surface on an occasion like this.

This problem will never totally disappear, but it could be encouraged to with a scheme of free travel.

It is beyond me why the club asks for a paltry £4 when it may make a big sporting occasion in East Lancashire less pleasurable for genuine fans.

NEIL M WALSH, Peel Park Avenue, Clitheroe.