POLICE football “spotters” are hoping for a trouble free season after the long-awaited Oxford against Swindon derby passed smoothly.

But they are not letting their guard down.

The Oxford Mail joined the police as they worked the game and also spent an evening with the spotters when Oxford faced Cardiff in the first round of the Carling Cup.

Police spotters keep watch for trouble at football matches, but also patrol train stations, nearby pubs and potential ‘flashpoints’ before and after games.

Using intelligence from fans, crowd surveillance and a ‘rogues gallery’ book of known troublemakers, some in their 70s, police categorise a game high, medium or low risk, depending of the level of trouble they expect.

Pc Simon Gray, who works as a spotter at United games, said police had been happy with the way the season had been going.

He said: “There aren’t that many high category games coming up.

“There are a couple which we have minor concerns about such as the next Swindon game and the Port Vale game.

“But we are 95 per cent confident of a trouble-free season ahead.”

Problems can include racist chanting, swearing and abusing stewards, and on occasions, fights and pitch invasions.

The number of seats sold at a game, referee decisions and even the weather can have a bearing on when and if trouble will flare, according to Pc Gray.

Pc Gray, himself a lifelong U’s fan, said: “When it rains we call it our good friend Pc Rain, because it helps clear the ground quickly and smoothly after a match.”

On average Pc Gray works with a team of around 12 officers to make sure the games remain as trouble-free as possible.

Pc Gray said he tried to build up a rapport with fans as he patrolled the ground and pubs.

Alongside a spotter from the away side’s police team, the two patrol the ground ahead of the game, visiting the nearby Priory pub to see if either officer recognises any faces.

Pc Gray said troublemakers often hold down well paid jobs and officers have learned to look out for a ‘uniform’ of expensive labels, such as Stone Island and Armani.

He said although they were confident of a trouble-free season, his team would not be complacent. He added: “The problem is always going to be there, partially because its football and people get worked up.

“Some people have had a hard day at work and use it to let off some steam. But we work hard with Oxford United and are on top of it.”