No truth in rising hooliganism claims, say police

BBC3 documentary Football Fight Club 2 told of 'a significant rise' in the number of instances of disorder inside stadiums – and claimed Wolves has one of the most active youth firms in the country.

But cops at the West Midlands Police football unit say arrests have gone down both inside and outside grounds.

This, they say, is down to 'an intelligence-led approach' that seeks to deal with 'risk groups' before they can cause problems on match days.

Sergeant Mick Wilkinson said: "There is no truth in claims that hooliganism is on the rise in the West Midlands.

"The close working relationship between the police and the West Midlands clubs is an important factor in the general improvement in supporter behaviour that we are seeing."

"The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about fight club."

So says the famous line from the Brad Pitt movie. Well, perhaps it is time for a new rule: Grow up.

Football hooliganism is a shameful stain on our nation's history and deserves to be left where it belongs, in the past.

Depressingly, however, it is alive and kicking enough in Wolverhampton to have caught the attention of documentary makers.

Is anyone really impressed by those who indulge in violence for violence's sake?

They look like morons in their beanie hats and built-in goggles, looking for trouble in the name of Wolves.

They are not fit to lick the boots of any player or true fan of the club.

Self-styled 'leader' Christian 'Denny' Denton is a father of two. Is there nothing better he could be doing with his time? Does he not believe he could set an example to his children?

He is 25 years old. It is not as though he can claim it is hot-blooded youth guiding him on this path.

After all, 71 years ago boys as young as 18 or 19 were on the beaches at Normandy fighting for freedom.

With a quarter of a century on this planet, Denny could have made something of himself already. He still could.

What is even more worrying, however, is his claim that 'professional people', including firefighters and teachers have joined in.

If that is true then we have to ask what could possibly have driven them to such a demented and pointless pastime?

For Denny, it is apparently not enough to watch a game and go home.

"I need to do something extra," he claims.

Well do something then.

Volunteer to help people in the community, take an older person their shopping, or better still; be a real role model to the children.

The violent behaviour and pathetic excuses of a small and ignorant bunch of thugs shame an entire city.

We know that they are in the tiniest of minorities when compared with the decent fans who believe Molineux is a place for families and football to be a passion shared in friendship.

Hooliganism is the scar on the face of the beautiful game.

And the more we continue to allow grown men to excuse themselves by hiding behind their relative youth, the less they will be inclined to grow up and take responsibility for themselves.

The programme highlighted Wolves Youth, which is part of the Yam Yam Army and is said to have a reputation for taking the fight on the road at every opportunity.

And members of the crew – led Christian 'Denny' Denton – were only too happy to boast about their exploits.

One hooligan sporting a Wolves pin badge, his identity concealed with sunglasses and a face-mask, compared football violence to a Class A drug.

He stated: "Football violence is like heroin, once you've had a hit, you're just looking for the next buzz."

"How many teams take 100 to Millwall?" another lad in a Paul & Shark beanie asked, as one of his mates shouted 'more like 200' in the background.

"No one turns up in Millwall."

Denny also revealed his ambition to take on a European firm, a dream that is still some way away considering Wolves' position in the Championship – at the moment, they're ninth – and 43-year absence from European tournaments.