It can be intensely physical and closely fought, meaning tensions can sometimes boil over.
Using data sourced by Transfermarkt, here is a ranking of the National League’s dirtiest teams.
The table, in ascending order, has been compiled using a points system – a yellow card counts as one point, a sending off because of two yellow cards counts as three and a straight red counts as five.
9. FC Halifax Town
51 yellow cards, no second bookings, two red cards = 61 points. Photo: Graeme Bandeira
11. Chesterfield
51 yellow cards, two second bookings, one red card = 62 points. Photo: sub
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