Racist behaviour - along with any kind of hooliganism - will not be tolerated

Chief Superintendent David Baines

Undercover officers will mix with fans to prevent any violence at the all-ticket game.

Oldham town centre and Manchester city centre will have a strong police presence with officers from Greater Manchester Police and Staffordshire Police on duty.

Chief Superintendent David Baines from Greater Manchester Police said: "I apologise in advance if the policing operation impacts upon anybody's enjoyment of the match or their visit to Oldham.

"It is essential however, that the loutish and thuggish action of a few is firmly policed.

"I would ask each of the fans to help in our efforts to make this game trouble free.

"Racist behaviour - along with any kind of hooliganism - will not be tolerated."

Petrol bombs

Mr Baines warned that offenders will be arrested and that his officers will visit Stoke to arrest people not caught on the day.

During the game last year, racist chants were shouted at Oldham supporters and petrol bombs were thrown at police in riot gear.

This year Stoke City have taken steps to stop hooligans causing trouble by putting leaflets encouraging fans to behave in with tickets.

But Stoke City ticket office manager, Richard Potts, told BBC Radio Stoke he was unsure whether the leaflets would have any effect.

'Working together'

"Somebody who is not going to behave will probably just walk round the corner and throw it in the bin.

"Having said that, it just shows that the two clubs are working together and the two sets of police are working together.

"It's just a shame that the football doesn't take the limelight."

Six weeks after last year's violence at the football match in Oldham, the town experienced its worst race riots in 15 years.

Almost 100 people were charged with public order offences and hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage caused.