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.
13. Maidenhead United
60 yellow cards, three second bookings, no red cards = 69 points. Photo: subm
14. Hartlepool United
67 yellow cards, no second bookings, one red card = 72 points. Photo: subm
16. AFC Fylde
49 yellow cards, three second bookings, three red cards = 73 points. Photo: sub
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