I posted a question a few weeks back in the sports section - why do footballers spit? I got no answers. Like you i blelieve it is against council public health byelaws to spit in a public place. There used to be notices in the street years ago. Something to do with the spread of tb I think. Before the Clean Air Act 'coughing up phlegm' in the morrning was considered normal. Football fields are public places. Not only that, it is also against the FA rule on ungentlemanly conduct. Why do they not do something about it when you see youngsters copying them? Takes me on to my next whinge - gum on pavements! Tax the gum manufacturers and put the cost of cleaning on to the users.