Thirty years ago, the Football Association ordered Oxford United to put up warning notices at the Manor Ground.

Unruly fans were told that the ground could be shut if there were any more pitch invasions and violent incidents.

Clearly, we have gone a long way since those dark days in the 1972-3 season when disturbances were a regular feature of United games.

If you need evidence, just read the letter from Dover publican Mick Murphy on this page today. He heaps praise on United fans for their magnificent behaviour in his pub last Saturday.

We add our congratulations to the fans who, we know these days, have football, and not violence, in their hearts.

Make no mistake about it, these are exciting times for United.

They are doing well in the league, they have one FA Cup victory under their belt and they stand to make £250,000 from their televised second-round tie at home to arch-rivals Swindon.

A win at the Kassam Stadium that day would put the icing on the cake.

How heartwarming it all is - and what a difference to last season.