POLICE in charge of controlling soccer matches have revealed they wrote to the Football League calling for caution over the scheduling of crunch derby games.

And the officers in charge of policing at Ewood Park also say vital lessons were learned following the major problems at last season's controversial Manchester City game.

The infiltration of City supporters into sections of the ground reserved for Blackburn Rovers' supporters led to concern.

Thousands of fans from Manchester got into all parts of the ground and home supporters complained about the lack of segregation.

City went on to win the game and gain promotion to the Premiership and at the end of the match the visiting supporters invaded the pitch.

Many fans are concerned about possible problems when Rovers face Burnley in the long-awaited derby clash.

Inspector Stuart Caley, of Blackburn police, said: "We have written to the Football League with regard to the scheduling of next season's fixtures.

"We suggested it would be a good idea to avoid certain dates for key local fixtures such as the first and last day of the season and public holidays."

Inspector Caley refused to comment on what options are under discussion but they are thought to include earlier kick-off times, live replays for fans unable to get tickets and restrictions on the number of visiting supporters.

The problem of crowd control was also discussed at the police authority meeting held today.

Chief Constable Pauline Clare wrote a report for the meeting which reads: "The Blackburn Rovers versus Manchester City match on May 7 presented a number of policing problems.

"Vital lessons have been learned which will assist in policing next year's Division One fixtures."