I have always felt a slight touch of nervousness when I know that a minute’s silence is approaching.

Too many times I have stood either on a pitch, or inside the stands and cringed at the senseless behaviour of handfuls of attention-seeking louts who see it fit to scream obscenities – or in fact just make noise – at the very moment they know they should be keeping quiet.

It’s childish and it is selfish but you cannot stop it. Several times I have witnessed referee’s blowing up well short of the minute to avoid any further embarrassment. It’s horrible and as a result often leaves the self-respecting folk involved feeling rather bad about human nature.

It’s a sad indictment of society today that we even have to discuss these things but we can’t pretend that everyone behaves as they should, when they should.

In recent times the trend has been to replace silence with applause. Whether the idea was aimed at drowning out those silence breakers I’m not sure, but it seems to have been a popular move. Fans even take to singing the name of the deceased person where it fits, and the whole experience has felt more celebratory than solemn. I like the concept.

It’s with these things in mind I am sure, that the official Manchester City Supporters’ Club felt the need to write to Manchester United suggesting that a minute’s applause and not silence would be better for all concerned on February 10, when City visit Old Trafford on the 50th anniversary of the Munich disaster.

Is that a damning verdict on the behaviour of there own support? Or are they merely being realistic by anticipating a lack of respect from certain sections of the City fans? After all, a number of them have continued to sing songs mocking the tragedy which killed 23 people back in 1958, right up until the present day.

United for their part have decided to turn down that suggestion and stick to their planned minutes silence. Good on them I guess.

But….I am certain thousands of people will be on edge at Old Trafford that day waiting to see if the special commemorations are ruined by their local rivals with the world watching on.

Personally I’d have gone with a minute’s applause. It would save everyone the worry of a potential embarrassment.

In fact I am of the view that applause is much more suitable than silence anyway.

What about you? Do you think minute silences should go?