Football has always been an exciting sport but the high profile of the game seems to have ballooned in more recent years.
There is much more of an entertaining feel to the game, and the enjoyment of the whole day as an experience.
The match alone, especially with the right result, should keep fans satisfied at the end of the game, in addition entertaining half time activities on the pitch adds value to the whole matchday experience.
Football is now played in newer and safer surroundings, following the tragedy that took place at the 1989 FA Cup Semi Final at Hillsborough.
Following Hillsborough, Lord Justice Taylor recommended a huge programme of investment in order to make football grounds safe and comfortable environments for supporters, and to help eliminate crowd disorder problems of the past.
One of the key elements of the Report was the introduction of an all-seater policy at designated football grounds. While many fans have complained that the elimination of terraces has affected the atmosphere of the game, as the Taylor Report states the all-seater stadiums are far safer to manage spectators if each ticket sold is for a specific seat.
All-seater stadiums have resulted in cases of football hooliganism decreasing significantly. In addition arrests for football related crimes have reduced dramatically since the late 1980’s, whilst attendances have risen steadily. For further facts and figures regarding football related crimes.
The Government also addressed the safety of spectators inside football grounds, by introducing the Football Spectators Act. This suggested the compulsory distribution of identity cards, which would identify any known football hooligan and prevent them from entering the ground. This system encouraged Clubs to use their own membership schemes.
The latest figures on arrests for football disorder released by the Home Office show an encouraging picture which demonstrates the strategies being followed by the police, government, football authorities and clubs are showing some very encouraging successes.
Control is being exerted by developing intelligence, continually reviewing match day tactics and utilising specific Home Office funding to create and maintain dedicated football hooligan operations across the country with 36 currently operating. This approach is having positive results. There have been 1,263 new banning orders since August 2003 and most matches are trouble free, which means overall costs to Clubs and taxpayers for policing football matches, has fallen.
Alongside all the work going on to exclude those that pose a threat to order from football matches, positive encouragement is being given to Clubs and fans initiatives to ensure the situation continues to improve.
David Swift, Association of the Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead on football disorder and Deputy Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police, said:
“Disorder has not gone away and there has not been a massive reformation of troublemakers. However, rigorous controls and investigations are working.”
All statistics released regarding football hooliganism were collected by the Football Banning Orders Authority and published by the Home Office. The statistics cover all domestic and international games played in England and Wales from August 2003 to June 2004.
The concerted effort to clean up the game has improved the quality of the league. The rise of overseas players and youngsters coming through the Academy systems, have made the game even more exciting to watch. This new trend in football has improved the viewing figures for various television companies, and has attracted a varied fan base, including more family based support and also fans from abroad.