UNTIL Tuesday night, Chester was probably one of Morecambe's most anticipated away trips of the season.

A new away ground and a city which is well worth a visit would undoubtedly have encouraged many supporters to make the short journey to the Welsh borders for a day out.

But many fans, especially families, may well have been discouraged by the foul-mouthed and, frankly, threatening behaviour of a minority of visitors who chose to sit in the home end and yell abuse rather than getting behind their team.

Meanwhile, several hundred of their colleagues where a credit to their club, supporting their team and demonstrating the spirit which helped them overcome the financial difficulties which threatened their existence.

It would be a great shame, no a catastrophe if the minority were allowed to ruin the friendly atmosphere which is bringing more and more local youngsters through the tunstiles at Christie Park.

It would be tragic to see the kind of oppressive segregation which so often sees away fans treated like lepers rather than valued guests introduced at places like Christie Park and Giant Axe.

And, while wiser minds than me have spent years labouring over how to make football grounds a welcoming environment for families, here's my two-penneth worth.

Lets have a bit of zero tolerance in the stands. If supporters are causing offence, let's give them a stern warning and ask them to shut up or leave. Unless they immediately comply, let's chuck them out and keep them out of very ground in the country for a set time. That make them think before they open their gobs - no matter how many pints of lager they've downed.