While watching Sky Sports News this evening, I was disturbed and saddened by the news and scenes from Upton Park, London – the home of West Ham United.

The Hammers met Millwall in the Carling Cup 2nd Round. Both teams are fierce rivals, as is depicted in the film Green Street. Unfortunately, the violence tonight, which has been described as that of the ‘dark ages’ and comparable with the trouble seen in the 1970’s, was very much real and not a scene from a movie.

As the evening drew on and goals were scored in games up and down the country, like most fans watching Sky Sports News, I was more concerned about the events taking place in East London. Reports of stabbings, brawls with rival fans and 500-1,000 riot police clashing with supporters.

Then we saw the pictures of the so-called fans invading the pitch, installing terror in players and genuine supporters, who had simply made the trip for an evening of football.

I wish to echo the views of Phil Thompson on Sky Sports News. In this day in age, with high definition television, surely hundreds would have been caught on the television cameras, if not CCTV. Each and every offending fan must be brought to justice, and if found guilty, face a lifetime ban from all football as a minimum punishment.

The scenes tonight were totally disgusting, and sad the thing is, it was not the minority of the fans. The only way these hooligans will be prevented from causing trouble like this again, is to issue every single one of the animals the most severe punishment that can be served.

The events in London tonight are not what this country needs and will be extremely detrimental to England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Football is a wonderful, beautiful game that should be enjoyed. Those hooligans tonight brought shame upon the sport. A sad day.