21 SEPTEMBER 1974, Page 4

Football violence

Sir: With reference to the recent spate of hooliganism, vandalism and violence connected with football matches, it may be tiniely to point out that, for all they damage our property, and for all their undoubted confusion of mind, the youths involved are nearer to an understanding of life than all those liberals who wish, and try so ardently, to remove all pain, violence and suffering from our lives.

Action will be taken, quite correctly. against these violent and destructive youths, but we should remind ourselves that, in an important sense, they are not our enemies.

John M. Smith 22 Tweedsmuir Close, Buckskin, Basingstoke, Hants.