I WOULD like to comment on what I see as just another nail in the coffin of British civil liberties.

Everyone knows that weekends are supposed to be about recreation after a week’s work, but I and my disabled brother have been turned away from watching games of football three times recently.

This happened twice at Wycombe Wanderers playing Plymouth Argyle and Oxford Utd respectively, the excuse being given that “ticket sales closed at 12 noon, and there are not enough policemen on duty to deal effectively with riots or bad behaviour”.

The third time was at Bristol Rovers when the excuse given was similar, except that “there was ‘trouble’ the weekend before down at Plymouth’s ground”. On all three occasions there were empty seats available, and we shall never forget the look of despondency on the face of a visiting 10 year old Oxford Utd fan as he and his father were turned away at Wycombe’s ground. Ironically, this was the occasion of Sir Jimmy Hill’s death, a man who had done so much for his fellow players, fans and football. He must have been turning in his grave.

To the credit of Oxford Utd, this pair of 60 year-olds have never been turned away on the day, even at Christmas time when it was packed against Plymouth Argyle.

Whatever has happened to good old common sense?

CHRISTOPHER RHODES-WATERS Butlers Drive, Carterton