Preston North End Police and Leeds United have set a perfect example of how things should be done on a matchday.

As a sport, we’ve taken big strides from the days of weekly riots, crowd troubles and ritualised violence in the terraces. All that remains of our “casual” past are Stone Island jackets, polos, the iconic ‘three stripes’ and that drunk bloke who sounds like he’s playing Green Street bingo with the opposing fans.

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Following the ugly scenes in the away end at Elland Road during Leeds’ match against Birmingham City, which resulted in ten arrests, Preston Police have set a model example of how to treat fans, and in turn, be treated.

According to FSA Fair Cop, an advisory service for ‘fans in trouble,’ their approach was simple but effective: engagement with the travelling support started early, match categorisation was ‘reduced from B to A,’ 35 per cent fewer officers were working the game, and ‘fans were policed on behaviour, not reputation.’

The result? No arrests, no pyrotechnics, no beer throwing and no disorder.

FSA Fair Cop were quick to tweet about the peaceful nature of yesterday’s match, leading to much response from Leeds fans who praised the policing on the night…