3 JULY 2004, Page 27

Our hooligans are worst

From Michael Henderson Sir: If Rod Liddle (English hooligans are pussycats', 26 June) genuinely believes that English football fans are no worse than those in other European countries, he need only visit any ground where they congregate. Of course there are tribal loyalties elsewhere, but it is only English hooligans who cause trouble wherever they go, from Rotterdam in 1974 (where it all began, with Spurs yobbos) to Portugal this summer. How about the Heysel Stadium, Brussels, in May 1985, when a reckless charge by Liverpool fans led to the deaths of 38 Juventus supporters?

Michael Henderson

Ashboume, Derbyshire