HULL City fans are being urged to help banish shameful memories of violence when they take on Huddersfield Town for the first time in almost eight years this weekend.
About 200 Hull City fans fought a pitch battle with Terriers supporters at Walton Street car park in April 2004.
Families were caught up in the violence, which resulted in 18 fans being hauled before the courts.
Seventeen of them were jailed for a 14 years with bans from Football Association games exceeding 100 years.
The two teams played again in January 2005, which passed with little trouble, but they have never met at the KC Stadium since that time.
With the Tigers in fourth and a feeling of optimism flooding the KC, Hull City's Official Supporters' Club is urging fans to concentrate on their team rather than opposition fans.
Chairman Tony Conway said: "We have had so many good times this year and fans should just come along and enjoy the game.
"At a fixture like this, it is always at the back of your mind that there could be trouble which would spoil things for the vast majority.
"But our message would be for fans to enjoy the game and get behind the team.
"Fighting just gives the club a bad name and everyone suffers.
"I haven't seen any trouble at the KC this season and we don't want to buck this trend.
"We are proud of the way Hull City fans have behaved this season and the efforts of all should be to back the team and not worry about the opposing fans."
Playing a Yorkshire rival should make for an even greater occasion, according to Mr Conway.
He said: "Playing a side from Yorkshire will mean they will bring more fans, which should make for an even better atmosphere.
"The lack of atmosphere has been one of our concerns this season and we are looking at ways to improve it.
"People should turn up in numbers as we feel the future is looking very bright."
The hooligans were captured on CCTV punching and kicking rival fans following the 0-0 draw on April 24, 2004.
A seven-minute CCTV video showed men shouting and jeering as families with young children fled in terror.
The fighting was stopped when police poured into the car park.
Fifteen of the men were sentenced at Hull Crown Court for affray. One was convicted for carrying a baton.
All were given football banning orders ranging from four years to eight years.
Humberside Police admit the fixture was earmarked as a concern but believe everything is in place to ensure the match will be trouble-free.
Chief Inspector Dave Hall said: "When the football fixtures were announced, this was one identified given the previous problems years ago.
"We have brought the kick-off forward to 12.30pm after negotiations with both clubs and the Football League. "We hope this will minimise the risk of alcohol-related disorder. The match is also all-ticket for away fans, which will help.
"We assess every fixture on an individual basis based on the number of fans likely to attend, the past fixtures and previous arrests involving the two clubs.
"We have increased the resources accordingly.
"We have intelligence sources and there is nothing to suggest any specific concerns but we won't rest on our laurels.
"We just want to ensure there is a safe environment so everyone can come along and enjoy the game."
No one from Hull City was available to comment.
10
