Overenthusiastic fans - unfortunately mostly mums and dads -  shout abuse, use offensive language and sometimes throw in the odd punch at players, referees and coaches, and fellow supporters.

But, what is even more troubling, many times the abusers are taking out their frustrations on junior players.

While this level of abuse has not made its way in to local sporting fixtures, members of the Tuncurry Forster Football Club have faced a growing incidence of loud and abusive behaviour.

Keen to tackle the issue before it becomes widespread, the club has had an a-frame sign made up  pointing out its five golden rules: These are kids; This is a “game”; The coaches are volunteers; The referees are human and It’s not the World cup.

Tuncurry Forster Football Club coaching director and Football Mid North Coast representative, Jonathon Newman said the sign had been made up to remind spectators that the game was primarily for the benefit of the kids.

“We now live in a culture where people want to win,” Jonathon said.

“You might think of the result at the end of the game, but that is not the most important thing,” he said.

“This board is to ensure people realise it (football game) is for fun and about the kids.

“We are about encouraging children to play a sport.”

Jonathon said many people became so wrapped up in the game they forgot the coaches, committee members and referees volunteered their time freely to the game and for the benefit of the youngsters playing.

He said coaches and committee members had been subjected to a lot of criticism from over enthusiastic spectators and parents.

“It is endemic in all sport in Australia now.”

Coaches and committee members should be appreciated and respected for their contribution, he said.

Not only did coaches attend weekly matches and training sessions, they waited around for the last child to be picked up following these sessions.

Since news of the new board was posted on the Tigers and Mick’s Sign Shop Facebook pages, response from the public has been nothing but positive:

 “I think all soccer grounds should have this,” wrote one person, while another wrote: “Great sign......kids should be having fun playing sport....parents have to butt out and  just watch the game and stop screaming at the kids, coaches and referees.  Love it, awesome.”

During the past years the Tigers have introduced a handful of initiatives to encourage respect, including silent Saturday asking spectators to not be so vocal.