THE FA are investigating an incident of a flare being let off in a pub amid growing concerns about the unruly behaviour of some City fans.

The T&A understands that there has been a “significant” rise in banning orders at Valley Parade this season.

And police costs at the club are expected to be the highest they have ever been.

In a recent incident before the Rochdale game, a group of supporters lit up a flare inside a pub in the town centre.

The football authorities wrote to City after being made aware of the incident and investigations are ongoing.

Defender Romoney Crichlow also claimed this week that he was targeted for vile abuse online after making a mistake against Gillingham.

He is keen to move on and asked City not to take any further action but has shut down his personal social media channels.

The club hold regular meetings regarding the rise in anti-social behaviour and disorder involving supporters. They have received several warning letters about possible financial punishments.

At the start of the season, a home fan was hit by a flare thrown from the upper tier of the Kop after City had scored against Newport.

The following month, police stopped a man from bringing in a pyrotechnic to the Walsall game.

As the 38th anniversary of the Valley Parade fire disaster approaches, the throwing of flares is particularly insensitive.

There were 18 football-related arrests last season, the highest for five years, and 10 banning orders. But that is set to rise for the current campaign.

Chief executive Ryan Sparks also had to change his mobile phone number after receiving threatening calls and got rid of the private number plate on his car, which had been targeted outside Valley Parade.

A club statement before this season began warned that City were likely to pay “80-90 per cent” more to cover police costs because of the rise in incidents.

With so much at stake in the closing weeks now as the Bantams chase promotion, the club are aware of potential trigger-point games and the risk of further problems.

As City strive to push their claims as a family-friendly club, the unruly behaviour of a small section of the fanbase ridicules those efforts.