By Nick Griffiths Crime Reporter

Last updated 12:51, Thursday, 27 November 2008

The number of arrests linked to Carlisle United games more than doubled last season – but club chiefs say the rise is down to trouble at one match against Leeds.

Police made 48 arrests connected to Blues games both in the city and on the club’s travels during the 2007/08 campaign – up on the previous year’s total of 20.

Thirty-one were for public disorder, 11 followed drink-fuelled offences, with a handful of pitch invasions, racist chants and just one violent disorder crime making up the rest.

Thirty-eight of the arrests took place in Carlisle with 10 made at away games.

Twenty-eight of the arrests happened as Carlisle played former Premier League giants Leeds United at Brunton Park last November.

The Home Office figures do not specify how many of those arrested throughout the season followed United and how many were opposition fans, although police estimates place it at “about 50/50”.

But the increase follows a rise in the number of both home and away supporters at Brunton Park after the club clinched two promotions to climb to its current place in League One.

It has led to games against big city clubs such as Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, who have themselves brought large numbers of travelling supporters to the city.

The club pointed out the number of arrests were tiny compared to the actual number of people now attending games.

Managing director John Nixon added the rise could be accounted for by the 28 arrests made when the Blues played Leeds United at Brunton Park.

He said: “Most of those arrests [at the Leeds game in November last year] were not actually in or at the ground but in the city centre after the match.

“We are proud of the behaviour of the vast majority of our supporters, both home and away.

“We are renowned for the large numbers of travelling supporters who follow us despite often having to travel huge distances.

“More than 180,000 people came to our league games at Brunton Park last season, when our average crowd of 7,825 was the highest for more than 30 years. From that, 38 people were arrested.”

Trouble flared before and after the sellout match against Leeds in which Carlisle inflicted the visitors’ first defeat of the season in front of a crowd of nearly 17,000.

This season’s game against Leeds passed off without serious disorder, with only one arrest being made.

Mr Nixon added: “I’d like to stress that we are continuing to work very closely with Cumbria police to reduce and hopefully eliminate any public disorder or arrests for other offences.

“Our police bill has increased dramatically as we have risen from what was the Conference, through League Two and into League One.

There were 22 banning orders in place against Carlisle United fans last season, with nine of those newly imposed during that calendar year.

Chief Inspector Mark Pannone said: “The arrests last year, which resulted in a significant number of banning orders, demonstrates the importance we put on policing football.

“Preventing football violence and disorder is a priority of ours, reflected in the number of arrests and positive actions we take. This year fans both home and away have been fantastic, demonstrated by only one arrest at the Leeds game this year.”

More than 600 arrests were made across all the clubs in League One.