1:25pm Monday 25th January 2010
By Matthew Greening
So Saints and Pompey get to meet in the next round of the FA Cup.
This is the sort of fixture that fans want; excitement, good football, city rivalry and a chance to show that despite recent problems for both clubs the football heritage in this area is still very strong.
I was glad it was a Saints home draw, not because it favours Southampton (I must maintain police impartiality) but because I genuinely think that it's a great ground for putting on a safe event for everyone. I think of the tens of thousands of fans for whom this will be a great day either at the stadium or around the two cities or watching or listening at home.
I was policing the Ipswich match on Saturday and when the results were in this was the draw I was looking for.
We'll deliver a top class police operation and support both clubs so it's a great day for everyone to be proud of and remember for ages.
We have already had our first planning meetings and there will be lots to do over the next 3 weeks and I will be saying more here and elsewhere about how the work is going.
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