Carlisle United chief executive Nigel Clibbens has spoken out about what he described as "rising" cases of bad behaviour by fans at games.

The chief executive confirmed that a supporter has been banned for throwing a coin at a Blues director at a recent match at Brunton Park.

He also said the club are "aware" of plans to disrupt home games amid talk of supporter protests.

Clibbens said the Blues are anticipating increased costs from policing and stewarding as the club prepares for the risk of such incidents.

He said such spending risks being taken away from plans to invest in the team.

And he appealed to fans to rethink any plans for behaviour which could prove "counter-productive" to team and club - and run the risk of supporters receiving banning orders.

Clibbens, in an article on the club website, said: "Fan behaviour incidents at home games are rising, which is a growing concern, with further possible implications for the club.

"[The] Barrow [game] saw no arrests in the ground or on the club footprint, but we were reported to the FA for home fans in the WRE [Warwick Road End terrace] throwing drinks at a player.

"There was some disorder and arrests in the city, and we take that seriously. We don’t want CUFC-related disorder anywhere.

"A supporter has been banned for throwing a coin at a home director at the Harrogate game.

"A full Safety Advisory Group inspection took place at Walsall game. Events in the WRE late in the game, objects brought into the WRE by some fans in breach of ground regulations, and a fan on the pitch, are all in the spotlight.

"We are awaiting its findings and what it means for the club."

The coin is understood to have been thrown in the direction of co-owner Steven Pattison at the Harrogate game on Tuesday last week. In supporters' group minutes, the ban handed to the fan was described as a "short “cooling off” ban".

Amid talk of a possible protest against the club's owners at tomorrow's FA Cup second round tie with Shrewsbury Town, meanwhile, Clibbens added: "We are aware of plans to disrupt home matches to stop games.

"Fans need to remember, actions can be criminal and an offence under the Football Offences Act (1991). These issues carry very serious consequences for all concerned.

"Fans risk bans, which we don’t want to be faced with giving, but we cannot and will not tolerate disruption and bad behaviour. It is counter-productive and does absolutely no good in making things change.

"As a result, we expect to incur significant additional unplanned stewarding and police costs dealing with home fans on match days in the coming weeks.

"This again risks taking much-needed cash away from spending on the club, and the team, as we approach January.

"Dealing with this could also require increased searching and revisiting whether bags can continue to be allowed into the ground, which could sadly affect all fans.

"We don’t want to be faced with any of this, but I need to be up front and tell fans what is at stake in the short-term.

"I have said in the long-term, the result of this could be higher policing costs at home games, which will cost the club many thousands year after year ahead."

Clibbens also said damage to sections of Hartlepool United's Victoria Park ground in Augst "tarnished the reputation of the club and our fans".

"The club has now received a bill from Hartlepool for fan damage caused at the away game," he added.

Clibbens endorsed comments made by manager Keith Millen last week, who called for a "positive atmosphere" from everyone connected to the club and city, rather than "going against what we're trying to achieve.

The chief executive also said fans can make their voice heard "in a way that will be listened to" by approaching him directly, or by emailing or telephoning him at the club.

He also pointed out the club's work on "fan engagement", including regular meetings with supporters' groups (CUSG).