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| Hammam on anti-hooligan success | Hammam on anti-hooligan success |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Outgoing Cardiff City chairman Sam Hammam has said part of his legacy will be how he tackled the club's hooligan problem head-on. | Outgoing Cardiff City chairman Sam Hammam has said part of his legacy will be how he tackled the club's hooligan problem head-on. |
| He told BBC Wales that his "you've got to meet them to beat them" approach had led to self-policing among fans. | He told BBC Wales that his "you've got to meet them to beat them" approach had led to self-policing among fans. |
| "When you reach out to them, talk to them about what you're trying to achieve you discover how positive they are," he said. | "When you reach out to them, talk to them about what you're trying to achieve you discover how positive they are," he said. |
| Mr Hammam was succeeded by Peter Ridsdale as chairman last week. | Mr Hammam was succeeded by Peter Ridsdale as chairman last week. |
| Mr Hammam said the club had come on in "leaps and bounds" on the hooligan issue. | Mr Hammam said the club had come on in "leaps and bounds" on the hooligan issue. |
| "They're no longer involved, they don't come along to games to fight," he said. | |
| His policy of mixing with troublemakers in an attempt to tackle the problem was greeted with criticism or scepticism from some quarters. | His policy of mixing with troublemakers in an attempt to tackle the problem was greeted with criticism or scepticism from some quarters. |
| Mr Hammam said: "I started a campaign' 'You've got to 'meet them to beat them.' | Mr Hammam said: "I started a campaign' 'You've got to 'meet them to beat them.' |
| "A lot of people who are hooligans are very nice, genuine people at heart and love their club. | "A lot of people who are hooligans are very nice, genuine people at heart and love their club. |
| 'Slightest problem' | 'Slightest problem' |
| "A lot of people in this country grow up viewing the police, judges, the lawyers - anything to do with the establishment - as the enemy, from a very young age. | "A lot of people in this country grow up viewing the police, judges, the lawyers - anything to do with the establishment - as the enemy, from a very young age. |
| "They see officialdom beating them up and knocking them down, so when you reach out to them, talk to them about what you're trying to achieve you discover how positive they are and how disciplined they can become." | "They see officialdom beating them up and knocking them down, so when you reach out to them, talk to them about what you're trying to achieve you discover how positive they are and how disciplined they can become." |
| Arrests at Cardiff City matches fell last season | Arrests at Cardiff City matches fell last season |
| Latest figures showed arrests at Cardiff City matches fell from 77 to 55 in 2005-2006. | Latest figures showed arrests at Cardiff City matches fell from 77 to 55 in 2005-2006. |
| "A lot of people who were themselves troublemakers are now the ones who keep the rest in check. Look at the younger elements, it's the fans who stop them," said Mr Hammam. | "A lot of people who were themselves troublemakers are now the ones who keep the rest in check. Look at the younger elements, it's the fans who stop them," said Mr Hammam. |
| "You don't need a policeman or a steward to stop them, the fans are stopping themselves, they are their own police. | "You don't need a policeman or a steward to stop them, the fans are stopping themselves, they are their own police. |
| "Now when our fans have the slightest problem, within seconds they turn to the policeman who is responsible for us on the day. The demarcation lines between club, police and fans don't exist any more." | "Now when our fans have the slightest problem, within seconds they turn to the policeman who is responsible for us on the day. The demarcation lines between club, police and fans don't exist any more." |
| Mr Hammam added: "My method was very clear and now a lot of police forces all over the country are using my method." | Mr Hammam added: "My method was very clear and now a lot of police forces all over the country are using my method." |
| He was given an emotional welcome by supporters before the club's 2-2 draw with Derby County on Saturday. | He was given an emotional welcome by supporters before the club's 2-2 draw with Derby County on Saturday. |