"DISORDER will not be tolerated" - that is the message from police to York City fans travelling to and from matches this season.

British Transport Police say they are all set to face the new football season and tackle disruptive fans travelling to domestic matches by train.

Thousands of fans from all over the country are expected to travel to, from and through the region to hundreds of football matches throughout the season.

York City will play at least 48 games, around half of which will be at KitKat Crescent.

Football Intelligence Officer John Stubbs has issued a stark warning to anyone intending to cause trouble this season.

He said: "We will not tolerate football-related disorder in any form on the rail network.

"Officers from British Transport Police will do everything in their power once again this season to deter and disrupt trouble makers and ensure that the majority of law-abiding fans, and people who use the rail network, enjoy a trouble-free season."

Officers have pledged to be out in force to ensure fans travel safely to all matches, and to prevent any incidents of disorder at stations or on trains.

Jane Townsley, chief inspector of operations, said: "The policing of sporting events and football matches are a major part of our role.

"Our officers have real expertise in this area and the force devotes considerable resources to ensuring that fans travel safely on the rail system."

The north-eastern area is home to three premiership and 16 football league teams, and more than 2,000 matches will be played within it this season.

She said the thousands of people who use the rail network to travel to games pose a "significant challenge" to officers every season.

She added: "Successful football policing depends on a number of factors, including good intelligence, planning, and co-operation between police and train operators.

"We also meet regularly with the Football Association, football clubs, and local police forces to plan strategies for individual matches."

Last season, 57 people were arrested in the region for football-related incidents and 18 football banning orders were put in place.

There are 11 existing banning orders applying to York City fans.

Nationally, British Transport Police arrested 331 people last season, with 61 people subject to football banning orders.

A further 72 incidents from last season are still being dealt with, several of which are related to this area.