[Ste]

hooliganism is nothing compared to what it used to be like. Even Millwall fans have calmed down a bit.
Policing methods have improved, identification of trouble makers has improved, cooperation by the clubs has improved.
There is barely any trouble at a vast majority of football matches nowadays. Yes, we don't hear about some of it but how often do you see pitch invasions? crowd fighting? injuries after the game between fans?
It is exactly the same in other countries.

Anyway, regarding the topic - it is not right throwing things at players under any circumstances. It is hardly unheard of, and it happens in other countries as well.
The difference is that the fans are so far back from the pitch in other countries that they can't actually reach it. Watch Italian football to see how many flares get thrown down to the front.

I'd say a reason (notice I say a reason not the reason) more things are getting thrown at players is a result of excessive goal celebrations, players seem to goad (sp?) the crowd more than they used to.
Also players move from club to club simply for financial gain. How many players stick with a club there whole career any more? A transfer was relatively rare in previous times.
While us fans stick by our club through thick and thin, the players sometimes seem that they couldn't care less and simply move when times get bad.

But anyway, fans should stick to giving the players stick from the terraces instead of throwing things at them. Noone deserves to be injured no matter what.

A coin in the head can hurt a hell of a lot, it's small and pointy.