GET THE LATEST ROBINS NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX SIGN UP Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The throwing of cabbages and other vegetables used to be restricted to comedy sketches in Monty Python films.

Now, it seems, football supporters have got in on the act, in the latest show of disrespect to people in the pressure-cooker hot seat of management.

Of course I’m talking about the disgraceful actions of one Aston Villa supporter, who chose to hurl a vegetable at Steve Bruce, less than 24 hours before his exit from Villa Park.

Last month I penned a column about the ever-limited lifespan of managers in the Premier League and EFL, and Bruce has become yet another boss to fail to reach two years in charge before being ousted.

Villa’s results weren’t exactly spectacular, especially given the wealth of the talent on show when they drew 1-1 with Bristol City little over a week ago, but regardless of tactics, team selection or style of play, no one deserves to have things thrown at them.

Bruce, with more promotions from the Championship under his belt than anyone else, has had to deal with plenty of hardship, both on and off the field.

(Image: PA)

The Midlands club were on the verge of administration in the summer before a takeover, hampering close-season recruitment, while Bruce also suffered heartbreak away from football, losing both parents in the past 12 months.

Maybe it’s worth taking that all into consideration when you’re stood there, cabbage in hand?

Days later the pre-match comments of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola struck a chord, as he declared that his side’s team bus “shouldn’t need the protection of the police” en route to Anfield for Sunday afternoon’s Premier League blockbuster.

Last season Liverpool fans caused several thousand pounds worth of damage by throwing objects and breaking windows of the Man City bus ahead of a Champions League tie. Why?

I remember Steve Cotterill’s final game in charge of the Robins, when a supporter charged to the front of the Atyeo Stand to launch an expletive-led tirade at the City boss, who just eight months earlier had helped the club secure their first title in 60 years!

It wasn’t that long ago that Lee Johnson revealed he had received death threats on the back of Bristol City’s poor form and opted to move house.

I’d also add that you can’t sit through 90 minutes at Ashton Gate without hearing obscenities in songs about Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke and his family members.

All this over a game of football, how can that be right? In what other industry would the above happen?

Potentially politics, where eggs have been launched and punches thrown on the campaign trail, albeit against (and by) people deciding the future of our country (not that it’s in anyway excusable).

If you received poor service in your local supermarket, you’d probably head to customer services to complain, not chase down the store boss and threaten him or his family. Alternatively, you’d choose to shop elsewhere.

That’s where football differs, of course. If you’re fed up with your team’s play or results, you don’t just head down the road to support another club.

It’s in your blood, it’s your team, but that doesn’t give you carte blanche to do whatever you like.

I’m old enough to remember real terrace humour, before the days of all-seaters. I’m aware it’s a passionate game, where tensions run high. I engage in banter with friends who opt to support the rival team to mine.

But strip it all back and think about it rationally and you have to wonder what goes through some people’s heads at times.

Maybe the old saying from Mr Shankley about football being more important than life and death was wrong after all.