Disgraceful scenes at Upton Park make you grateful we watch our football at Carrow Road

Weds 26 Aug 09

A lot has already been said on the matter since West Ham and Millwall's 'supporters' decided to lock horns last night in what was a worrying throwback to the 80s.

But at times like this, you always wonder whether football has the potential to slip back into the dark ages, where scenes like last night's in East London were commonplace.

The clubs – and the FA to be fair – have put a hell of a lot of work in since the late 70s and early 80s. CCTV ensures the trouble inside stadiums is now very rare.

Increased Police presence around the grounds and a slicker approach to supporters arriving by public transport has made it virtually impossible for fans to get at each other.

Some would say that it is Police overkill and there have been occasions where innocent, law abiding fans have had their day ruined in the name of keeping the peace.

All-seater stadia has made a huge difference as well but as we saw last night, if the wrong two clubs come together, it can still all go horribly wrong.

Upton Park is now, by and large, a decent, modern stadium but that didn't stop a Met Police nightmare happening yesterday evening.

And you do worry that if the authorities take their eye of the ball, it could creep back onto the terraces.

According to eye witnesses from last night's troubles and some Millwall messageboards, the Police could have planned the visiting supporters' route into the Boleyn Ground much better than they did.

And why was this game allowed to be played on a Tuesday night anyway? The Police in this part of the world insist on the Norwich v Ipswich derby kicking off at some unearthly hour, which is fine.

But how the most violent derby in England is allowed to be staged in the evening is beyond me.

The worry now, of course, is whether this will affect England's chances of hosting the 2018 World Cup.   Part 2 >>