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.
21. Oldham Athletic
66 yellow cards, three second bookings, one red card = 80 points. Photo: subm
23. Ebbsfleet United
68 yellow cards, one second booking, three red cards = 86 points. Photo: subm
24. Boreham Wood
68 yellow cards, no second bookings, four red cards = 88 points. Photo: sub
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