Antisocial media Throwaway hits of online hate are hard to avoid for today's young players

Umberto Eco made a provocative statement about social media when receiving an honorary degree in Turin in 2015: it "gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community.

- Jason Stockwood

Then they were quickly silenced, but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel prize winner." While I do not entirely agree with this sentiment, there is some truth to it, particularly in the realm of football, where social media has significantly altered the share of voice between clubs and some fans.

I missed the Denmark v England game owing to a work commitment but ventured online to gauge reactions to England being top of their group in the Euros. The vitriol against Gareth Southgate after the draw was incredible.

Our most successful national manager since 1966 was the target of memes about boredom, safety and mediocrity.

The fury directed at Southgate during the win against Slovakia that took his team to a fourth consecutive major tournament quarter-final was remarkable.

Three years ago, at the beginning of my term as chair of Grimsby Town, we recognised the importance of being available online to try to foster a culture of trust and transparency. Over time, I dialled this back because it was hard to predict reactions.

After a negative result, trying to highlight positives was like inviting 50 people to line up to punch you in the face. I learned to stay offline on Saturday nights, as immediate post-match emotions tend to skew responses.