BOSSES at Swindon Town Football Club have vowed to crackdown on yobs by attempting to shut down websites promoting extreme violence.

Hardcore groups are posting messages on the web gloating about glassing attacks, stabbings and mass brawls in the town.

The faceless thugs, who only give nicknames to avoid being traced by police and discuss their best acts of violence, also use the site to goad fans from other clubs into a fight.

One of only a few messages safe to print, which was written after a Town played Hartlepool at the County Ground on August 28, read: "A mini bus drove past me and a mate on Manchester Road. One of their lads got out. My mate hit him and slammed the door on his arm."

Football club safety officer Clive Doyle called the thugs a disgraceand was furious that the Swindon Town logo had been used on one of the sites.

He now plans to speak to Swindon Town directors to see what action can be taken but admites it will be difficult to close down internet sites.

But he said the problem had drifted away from stadiums because of tight controls.

"We run a safe stadium and don't have any fights or disorder inside," he said.

"It is a serious issue that offences are now happening away from stadiums because of measures like high level policing and CCTV.

"I think people are using football as an excuse to create mayhem.

"I will be speaking to the directors about the websites as they don't enhance the image of Swindon Town Football Club."

On Saturday, the Adver revealed that more than 20 fans have been banned from the County Ground for football violence offences.

Police say problems are heightened when there are local derbies and have vowed to crackdown on troublemakers.

"We do monitor these websites and take appropriate action where necessary," said police spokesman Alvina Kumar.

Tony Norris, chairman of the Swindon Town Supporters' Trust, said members were more than 1,000 per cent against hooliganism.

"It makes me feel sick to the stomach that there are people out there who tie this in with football," he said.

"It's a result of the culture of binge drinking and fighting. Anyone who ties it in with football is deluding themselves."

Coun Brian Ford, Swindon Council's lead member for community safety, said that he was appalled with the thug's behaviour and wants anyone caught to be dealt with severely.

"Perhaps anti-social behaviour orders are too good for them," he said.

"Efforts should be made to close the websites down but it is no good opting for a piecemeal approach, the Government has got to look at it properly."

We have decided not to name the hooligan groups behind the websites to prevent giving them any publicity.

Ben Payne