By Rogero
October 21 2006

A record number of football banning orders have been imposed on hooligans across the UK. Government figures showed there were 3,387 "fans" subject to the orders.

Statistics for 2005-2006 reveal the following statistics.

In terms of banning orders - A total of 995 were imposed, a  rise of 7%, after allowing for those that have expired. Meanwhile, arrests for football-related offences fell by 7% to 3,462.

Leeds United are the club with the most orders. Twenty orders imposed during the season brought its total to 115. Portsmouth were second with 110, followed by Cardiff City with 109, Stoke City have 108 banned and Manchester United 106.

In terms of arrests The Premiership overtook the Championship for the largest number of arrests. A total of 1,221 at Premier League games, up from 984 in 2004-05, while Championship arrests fell from 1,047 to 877. The club with the highest number of arrests was Tottenham Hotspur, with 169. Spurs were followed by Manchester United (147), Chelsea (126), Sheffield Wednesday (89), Coventry City (88) and Leeds United (76).

Luton Town and Hull City had the largest number of supporters arrested for violent disorder (the most serious category of football-related offence) both clubs having 21 detained in this category.

The Sports Minister Richard Caborn is quoted as saying "The thrill of watching football from the terraces without fear of violence is the right of the genuine majority fans and should not be compromised by the tiny minority of thugs intent on causing trouble. The increased numbers of families, women and children now attending matches proves that the face of the average football fan is changing for the better - making football more inclusive, friendlier and safer than ever before."