AFTER football's darkest years in the 1980s, it seemed as though we had all but defeated hooliganism.

But, to quote York's football intelligence officer, it is "back this year in a big way" - and we are all paying the price.

Outbreaks of violence marred several recent York City fixtures. The number of football-related arrests, and the taxpayers' policing bill, have increased significantly. At least one man will bear the scars of this season forever; he was glassed in a city pub.

The trouble contrasts sharply with the brilliant fan-led campaign to save City. York now has a genuine community club, with a family-friendly atmosphere on match days. It is vital that this is protected.

The club has pledged to do all it can to crack down on the trouble, although much of it is "imported" via the visiting team. But the problem goes far beyond York City.

The hooligan element has re-emerged at every level of football. We reported earlier this month how abusive teenage spectators had almost caused a York schoolboy final to be abandoned.

Humberside police described as "disgraceful" the violence at this week's third division play-off semi-final between Scunthorpe and Lincoln. And at international level, England face being kicked out of Euro 2004 if there is a repeat of the pitch invasion and racist taunts which ruined the game against Turkey at Sunderland in April.

It would also be wrong to pin all the blame on football. Most of the violence in York happened away from the Bootham Crescent stadium.

In truth, the thugs merely use football as their excuse to indulge their mania for mindless violence. They are common criminals, nothing more.

However they are better organised than ever, using the Internet and mobile phones to choreograph their attacks.

Intelligence-led policing was behind the previous success at reducing hooliganism. We hope they can up their game to meet the renewed threat from these imbeciles intent on wrecking our national game.

Updated: 10:26 Friday, May 16, 2003