LANDLORDS at city centre pubs are preparing for potential trouble from football thugs when York City play host to Hull City on Boxing Day.

More than 3,500 Hull supporters are set to descend on the city for the match on the afternoon of December 26.

Pubs are planning to employ extra doorstaff or even closing to avoid trouble.

The Hole in the Wall, in High Petergate, is to shut during the day to avoid any potential problems, but is planning to reopen in the evening.

The Exhibition, in Bootham, will remain open, but will not be letting in any Hull fans.

"I was hoping the game would be moved forward to lunchtime," said licensee Helen Blanchard.

"But by keeping the 3pm kick-off time, there is time for them to get more beer in before the game.

"We will be keeping trouble out of the pub, the regulars can still come in for a nice post-Christmas drink, and the Hull fans can stay away."

Mounted police and dogs are being drafted in for the game and police are set to maintain a very visible presence, with extra officers on duty.

Police are not enforcing closure orders on any bars, but have put a message out on the pager system to warn landlords of potential problems.

When the teams last met in the city, York players were pelted with coins, and several away fans were arrested - six for drink-related offences and one for throwing a missile.

In 1999 a city centre pub was forced to close after it was damaged when trouble flared in High Petergate as fans made their way towards the match.

The Hole In The Wall stopped trading while staff cleared up the mess, believed to have been caused by visiting Hull fans.

Another man was arrested following an incident at Yates's Wine Lodge when about 30 fans refused to leave the premises when asked to move on by police before the match.

Updated: 14:43 Thursday, December 20, 2001