Rival Football fans banned from attending games after fight in Cheltenham town centre
Eleven men, who are supporters of Cheltenham Town and Bristol Rovers, were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court
Eleven men have been banned from attending regulated matches after being involved in a fight in Cheltenham town centre.
The men, all aged in their 20s and supporters of Cheltenham Town and Bristol Rovers, appeared at Bristol Crown Court for sentencing on Monday 20th and Wednesday 23rd October.
Each was issued with a three-year football banning order, fined £214, and sentenced to undertake between 40 and 100 hours of community service.
The altercation occurred on Bath Road, Cheltenham, on Saturday 15th October 2022, ahead of a League One fixture between the two teams later that afternoon.
Police were called to the scene following reports of a disturbance involving fans from both clubs.
Investigators said the rival groups had been drinking in nearby pubs before they began goading each other.
A fight erupted on the street, with punches being exchanged before the groups dispersed and went their separate ways.
Officers investigating the affray reviewed CCTV footage from the pubs and issued a public appeal for information.
A total of 15 men were identified, with all being charged with affray offences.
In court, 11 of the men pleaded guilty to the charges against them, while one man was found not guilty.
Charges against three others were dropped.
During sentencing, the court heard in mitigation that the individuals were "young and immature" at the time of the incident and had since "grown up" and would not behave the same way now.
The football banning orders against the men have the following conditions:
- The men must not enter any premises for the purpose of attending any football matches in the United Kingdom which are regulated for the purposes of the Football Spectators Act 1989. The Secretary of State makes Orders as to which matches are regulated.
- When football matches are being played outside the United Kingdom, they must report to the named police station and surrender any form of travel authorisation held in their name according to instructions notified by the Football Banning Orders Authority
Football Officer PC Adrian Tuft from Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "I am pleased that these men are now facing the consequences of their actions.
"The fight took place on a busy street in the middle of the day and it's lucky that no-one was badly injured. Hopefully this case shows that violence and inappropriate behaviour linked to football fans will not be tolerated."
John Duffy, the Safety Officer at Cheltenham Town FC, said: "This firm action, taken by Police with the full support and cooperation of the club, shows a determination to ensure that anyone who behaves poorly in or around a Cheltenham Town FC fixture can expect to face the consequences of their actions."