Soccer hooligans' web of fear

The thugs from Bolton are exchanging intimidating messages with rival supporters on the Internet in an attempt to drum up trouble before matches.

But their computer messages have been constantly monitored by a specialist police football liaison officer.

This weekend, the officer, who has gathered dossiers on 20 suspected trouble-makers, confirmed the web had been used to swap messages between rivals.

The 38-year-old officer, who the BEN has been asked not to name, revealed that up to 20 messages were posted on a website before last month's clash with Blackburn Rovers, in a bid to organise confrontations between rival gangs.

He said: "There must have been 20 messages over a seven day period, discussing trying to organise meetings and trying to drum up interest on both sides.

"They know we are monitoring the web so there were no specific threats. It was more like 'The boys will be coming so be ready' or 'The boys are coming to Blackburn, be ready. We have not been round for some time but we will be coming to you'.

"They are using the web as an advert to try to get as many people interested as possible. These messages are followed up during the week with mobile phone conversations."

The messages were posted on a website -- not named by the BEN to protect the police operation -- which also contains vile messages of hate and racist taunts from other football hooligans across the country.

The officer confirmed many of the messages were posted on the site late on Friday night as thugs tried to arrange disorder at weekend matches.

He said: "They never put times and contact numbers or the size of the group concerned down because they know we are monitoring the site.

"Nine o'clock on a Friday night is normally the busiest time. They can also go in to chat rooms on the site, using special passwords to make further arrangements in private."

There was no trouble at the match in Blackburn, despite the messages having appeared on the website.