'Chanting' away supporters to march through town

43 minutes ago

Ros Tappenden,South of Englandand

Lewis Coombes,BBC South sports editor

News image — AFC Bournemouth host Sturm Graz for their first European home game

Dorset Police Two female police officers with their backs to the camera are looking over the pitch at the Vitality Stadium. The grass can be seen behind with a stand full of supporters. The officers are in uniform with black hats and fluorescent jackets tat say Police and Football Officer. — AFC Bournemouth host Sturm Graz for their first European home game

Hundreds of Austrian football supporters are expected to walk en-masse through a seaside town ahead of its club's first European home game.

More than 150 police officers will be deployed when AFC Bournemouth meet Sturm Graz at the Vitality Stadium in the Europa League later.

Just as Cherries fans did in Spain ahead of their opening away match, visiting supporters are expected to march towards the stadium in a large group.

Dorset Police warned of some traffic disruption but sought to reassure residents, saying the procession was "absolutely normal" for European football.

The force said the European fixtures represented "a first for Dorset Police" and officers had been working with the UK Policing Football Unit and European police forces to prepare.

It said the matches would "look and feel" different to other games, with overseas fans also likely to stay longer.

Assistant Chief Constable Lindsay Dudfield sits in the red and black stands of AFC Bournemouth for an interview. She has tied back blonde hair and is wearing a black police uniform with a white shirt and black tie. — Assistant Chief Constable Lindsay Dudfield said officers were prepared

Assistant Chief Constable Lindsay Dudfield said: "We anticipate there could be several hundred walking through the streets of Bournemouth and they may have flags, they may have banners, loud hailers, drums, they're likely to be chanting their club songs.

"Just to reassure communities, this is absolutely normal for the European football. We have planned for it and we have prepared for it."

Sturm Graz fans are expected to gather in the town centre during Thursday afternoon before the fan walk from Lansdowne Roundabout on Old Christchurch Road, via Christchurch Road, through Boscombe and Gloucester Road to the Vitality Stadium for the 20:00 BST fixture.

"This is likely to cause some disruption to the road network along the route and our local officers, as well as partners, have been engaging with businesses that may be impacted," a police spokesperson said.

Councillor Millie Earl sits in the black and red stands of Vitality Stadium for an interview. She has shoulder length, straight blonde hair and round metal-rimmed glasses. She is wearing a pale grey suit jacket and and white shirt with an open collar. — Council leader Millie Earl said she hoped European fans made the most of the town's hospitality

Police will also be present in the town centre after the match.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council leader Millie Earl said: "Our area is used to welcoming visitors all year round because we are a tourist town but this is something a little bit different.

"With all the fans that are coming from Europe, we're hoping people will make the most of the hospitality we've got, they'll stay in hotels and spend their money here.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for our area, but it's going to be interesting for residents too because it's going to be very different from the tourism we usually experience.

"We've still got a lot of learning to do but I hope that fans come here in good spirits, play by the rules and we have a really good match."