IT WASN?T exactly what Bermuda Football Association had planned.

But the violence that marred opening day of the Premier Division season last Sunday won?t have surprised too many.

Although BFA president Larry Mussenden was quick to point out that last season was largely trouble-free, football and the moronic weapon-wielding thugs who reappeared on Sunday afternoon are never far apart.

That?s not to say the game?s to blame but history has shown us that society?s misfits do have a habit of making their presence felt at a sport and a venue where they?ll be noticed most.

Of the hooligans who blighted the British leagues for more than 30 years, few were considered fans of the game, just foul-mouthed and fearless troublemakers who got a kick (and gave a few of their own) out of causing maximum disruption either inside or outside of the ground.

It?s the same with the lunatics here.

Call them gang members if you wish. But in reality they?re just a bunch of young punks hell bent on causing trouble, and for whatever reason our Police service have so far failed miserably in efforts to bring them under control.

It?s not as though they?re hard to identify.

Most of those involved in football ? players, officials and the real fans ? know who they are, yet by and large they escape unpunished. Why wouldn?t they continue?

So far it?s been a case of knives, machetes and baseball bats ? nasty weapons that can cause some very nasty wounds. Miraculously nobody?s been killed.

But isn?t it only a matter of time before someone pulls out a gun?

After all, despite our strict firearm laws we all know they exist ? there were even rumours of such a weapon being sighted at Southampton Oval last Sunday.

In Britain it took a huge Police presence and tough legislation to eventually restore order and allow those who love the game to return to the terraces without fear for their safety.

Much the same is required in Bermuda. Our football problems haven?t reached the same epidemic levels as they did across the pond, but there was sufficient evidence at Southampton on Sunday to suggest that if we don?t clamp down now there?s much worse to come.

In fairness, the BFA and the clubs have heightened security since a pitched battle marred the Friendship Trophy final two seasons ago ? memories of which have been rekindled during court proceedings this week.

But there?s only so much they can do within the confines of the law, particularly as it?s become clear the parents of these young hoodlums are unwilling to play their part.

A common belief is that those in the Police service simply aren?t doing enough.

We know when and where the trouble is likely to take place, we have a good idea who?s going to be involved. What more information do they need?

At almost every other event likely to attract a crowd of 2,000 or more, Police would be expected to attend. Why not soccer games?

Just a couple of Police officers on patrol at every Premier game, even the presence of a Police vehicle, might go a long way towards making the thugs think twice.

And if reinforcements are required, so be it.

It isn?t just the future of football at stake. The consequences of repeated incidents of violence are far more dire.