This is certainly a sad story, but I would ask people not to take films like
'Green Street' as the usual take on watching soccer in England. I didn't rate the film that highly.
I've been to about 1,100 games over the past 35 years and I've never hit anyone or been hit, though I have seen violence both inside and outside stadiums.
Football violence is very tribal - people that would happily buy each other a drink, can suddenly turn into monsters when they meet supporters of a rival club.
Remember, it's much easier for fans to drive to see their team at away games in England than it would be in the US. I've seen Watford play at about 70 different grounds over the years.
The concept of 'ultras' or hard core violent supporters clubs seems more common in Italy and Spain but just about every English team has a number of hooligans.
Certainly, increased policing and stewarding has helped to reduce crowd trouble and there are large numbers of women and children that attend games today.
The concept of swearing at games doesn't bother me at all. I'm not talking about organised chanting which doesn't happen so much these days since fans are all seated as opposed to when fans stood on terracing, but general comments towards players and officials. I certainly swear, even at certain Watford players.
There was a Celtic fan murdered in Northern Ireland last week, after Rangers clinched the Scottish title, but there is still an amount of distrust between the Catholic and Protestant communities there, although the major violence of the 70's, 80's and 90's has decreased.
I like to think that I can go to a Watford game, shout my opinions out, but then go home and not feel the need to attack anyone or drive a car into them.