The details for the 23rd edition of Flag Day have been confirmed, with host Sean Donnelly outlining why the date has been moved from the first day of Bristol City's season to August 17.
Flag Day, which dates back to 1996, is a celebration of Bristol City fan culture with supporters meeting outside Donnelly's Three Lions pub in Bedminster, displaying banners, singing songs and decorating the streets with colour.
It was expected to coincide with City's Championship opener against Leeds United on Sunday, August 4 which has been moved to a 4.30pm kick-off to accommodate Sky Sports desire to broadcast the game.
Given the potential volatile nature of the fixture, and after extensive discussions with Avon & Somerset Police, Donnelly and the Section 82 fans group who are the driving force behind the banners have decided to move Flag Day to August 17.
That will be City's second home league game of the season against Queens Park Rangers at the more traditional kick-off time of 3pm on a Saturday meaning the festivities can get underway, as normal, at 10am.
"The police never told us to move the game but we understand the nature of the fixture and what could happen," Donnelly told Bristol Live.
"All it takes is one idiot to infiltrate the crowd, from either side, and start causing trouble.
"It's not that the police told us to move it, they said they were happy for it to go ahead on August 4, it's our decision based on what could happen if it goes ahead."
Sky Sports had even wanted to film Flag Day to coincide with their coverage of what should be a blockbuster match between City and Leeds.
However, the potential for trouble and all the implications of negative images being televised to a nationwide audience have led Donnelly and Section 82 to make the decision.
"On the one hand, having the Sky cameras could have been great; as an advertisement for the club, the city, the supporters and even the pub," Donnelly added.
"But that works the other way and the last thing we want is for Flag Day to be given a bad name.
"It's still going to be a celebration and it's still going to be one big party."
The event has taken placed every year since 1996 and was traditionally held at the end of every season, with the exception of City's relegation to League One in 2013.
It was moved to the start of each season in 2016 following the death of loyal Robin James Grieve, who was a major influence in making Flag Day the spectacle it is today.
