West Ham Utd have called events at its own home on Tuesday night “appalling”.

The club vowed to ban for life Hammers fans who were involved in the mayhem which scarred the Carling Cup tie against Millwall.

The stance by West Ham echoes earlier calls by the FA for the very toughest sanctions to be applied by the club to some of its own fans.

Today West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury had a message for Hammers hooligans who would return the club to football's dark days of the 1970s and 80s.

‘You will not succeed.’

Duxbury called West Ham a “family club” which would come down hard on rioters.

“The Boleyn Ground has always been a safe place in which all supporters can enjoy football. We are determined to ensure this remains the case” said Duxbury.

"Everyone at the club is shocked and appalled at what happened and we will leave no stone unturned in identifying the perpetrators, rooting them out and then taking the proper action from both the police point of view and the club's.

“The vast majority of people at the game last night were law-abiding, loyal football fans and a small minority spoiled it for everyone. They will not be allowed to succeed.”

The net looks to be closing in on the individuals involved in the chaos of Tuesday night.

West Ham Utd are gathering up video footage, photographic evidence and witness statements to hand to police.