The fighting between City and United at the FA Cup semi-final and Community Sheild last year was quite frankly like going back to the dark ages. There was fighting at the service stations all the way there and all the way home, all the way down Wembley Way and around Wembley itself. Coaches smashed up, serious fights everywhere. In the ground there is YouTube footage of fabs trowing bangers and fireworks at each other. Really on a level ten shelves up from anything in rugby league. But the Manchester derby has never changed. I've been to one derby in my life where I didn't see any trouble and that was the one at the end of last season at the Etihad.

I didn't see one bit of trouble between City and Stoke for the FAC final last year.

But I'd rather not dilute what seems to be a growing problem in RL by comparing it to footy. This is not footy, this is a different sport and a sport that doesn't usually tolerate this kind of behaviour.

Considering the ground is so 'big' I felt hemmed in and claustrophobic and had to sit forward just to get a decent view. And we were not in the cheaper seats either.

There's a picture in todays Guardian of a bloodied and battered Wire fan.

I had a great time at thenGF and never saw any trouble, loved the atmosphere and leeds out played us for the win.

I used to go the GF as a neutral until about 3 years ago. There's just so much tension built up around the last game of the season and that resonates around the ground and the fans. Previously I've found it very intimidating and won't go unless we get there, as I like to wear my wire top but this just attracts trouble.

Personally I don't think that the GF is a day for the Rl family to go and support this great game, that is the challenge cup. The GF creates a unique tension and I have seen more violence at GF's than any other game.

Forget the booze and segregation debate as we don't get that level of trouble at other games where beer is in full supply.

The showcase event for portraying RL is the challenge cup..... If you want intensity and tension then go to the GF

There are plenty of JCL's at Grand finals, and the fact that people have been drinking longer also makes a difference. I know a lad who is a Leeds United regular and he said the attendance was was down for the game against Barnsley, that suggests that there was quote a few of the football lost at the game. I also saw Man City/Wire fans I know who seemed intent on defacing the home of England's most succesful club with stickers.