Three men banned from football matches for offensive chants about Suffolk fan Simon Dobbin

It comes after disorder at a Cambridge vs Peterborough match last year

Simon was left with permanent brain damage after being assaulted in East Street, Southend on 21 March 2015.
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 27th Mar 2023

Three men have been banned from attending football matches for offensive chanting about Suffolk fan Simon Dobbin, during a Peterborough United vs Cambridge United match last year.

47 people have been interviewed so far in connection with disorder during the fixture on October 29.

Dean Foster, 20, Kyle Mortlock, 23, and Thomas Mott, 22 - all from Cambridgeshire - were identified as part of a group trying to goad Cambridge United fans by singing about Dobbin.

Simon was left with permanent brain damage after being attacked in Station Approach in Southend in March 2015 following a Southend United v Cambridge United match.

He died five years later at the age of 48 at home in Mildenhall.

Medical tests have shown there was a direct link between his death and the injuries he had sustained.

All three men must pay a fine and will be prevented from attending matches or being in the area of the Peterborough's Weston Homes Stadium on matchdays.

Inspector Shish Thind, who is leading the investigation at Cambrigeshire Police, said: “The behaviour from this small group of individuals was wholly unacceptable and incredibly disrespectful.

“While all three have shown remorse for their actions, I hope these sentences serve as a warning that we will not tolerate such behaviour, there is no place for it at our football games.”

Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge United Football Club, Alex Tunbridge, said: “Cambridge United was appalled to hear such unacceptable chants and there can be no justification for such callous acts.

“The chants caused significant distress to the family and friends of Simon Dobbin, as well as the Club and wider fan base.

“Cambridge United will continue to support Nicole and the Dobbin family.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.