Season 01/02 - April

Sheffield Wednesday - Stoke City - ??/04/2002

Source : Press


Naughty

Grimsby Town - Sheffield Wednesday - 01/04/2002

Source: Evening Telegraph

FANS ON RAMPAGE

FOOTBALL fans went on the rampage in Cleethorpes following the relegation battle between Grimsby Town and Sheffield Wednesday.

Scores of police officers, some wearing body armour, were drafted in yesterday as a series of flare-ups escalated into scenes of violence close to the resort's train station.

Tourists enjoying the bank holiday break in Cleethorpes looked on in disbelief, and young children were in tears as alcohol-fuelled thugs from Sheffield threw missiles and hurled abuse at police officers, police dogs and officers on horseback.

At one point a policeman and a fan fell onto the track after a scuffle on the platform.

In all 17 arrests were made for general public disorder offences.

The ugly scenes followed the 0-0 draw, after which a large section of Grimsby Road was closed off to prevent rival fans clashing. Supporters of both teams were locked up.

Before the game Sheffield Wednesday fans arriving late chanted throughout the minute's silence for the Queen Mother.

One eyewitness from Grimsby said: "I think the behaviour has been absolutely disgusting.

"If I was a visitor to this town this would be the last place I would come on any future bank holidays.

"The police have been fantastic. I just hope none of my kids grow up to like football. Even if they do I would not let them go to a match after seeing this."

Following the match Sheffield Wednesday fans congregated outside The Submarine pub on Sea Road. Eight officers on horseback accompanied by scores of police officers on foot supervised the supporters and separated them from rival fans.

On several occasions officers chased smaller groups who broke away from the crowd as they ran towards the town centre.

Chief Supt Kevin Sharp, oversaw the matchday police operation. He said: "In essence it was a good day which was enjoyed by the majority of people. But once again it was the mindless few that created the problems.

"Initially there were some serious disturbances in the centre of Cleethorpes which were contained and managed by officers who were working the match. Additional resources were called in from other parts of the force to support police officers as there was the potential for further violence."

Most of the visiting fans who headed for Cleethorpes boarded the 7.15pm train back to Sheffield.

Chief Supt Sharp added: "Because of the behaviour of the Sheffield fans and the amount of alcohol they had consumed they were closely supervised from Sea Road to the railway station.

"At the station there were sporadic incidents of disorder and arrests were made."

During this disorder police dogs were brought in and two fans were bitten. These two men were later arrested along with 15 other Sheffield Wednesday and Grimsby Town fans for general public disorder offences.

Chief Supt White said: "Although at times there were difficult bouts to police, considering there was a capacity crowd, the majority of people seemed to have a very good day."

Minor injuries were suffered by police officers, including one who had a bottle thrown at her. No one required medical treatment.

Southampton - Charlton Athletic - 13/04/2002

Source : Corbis

Southampton and Charlton Athletic soccer fans clashing near Maze Hill train station in south London.

Djurgaden IF - IFK Goteborg - 27/04/2002

Source: DFG website

Violence erupts at Rugby Town derby clash - 03/04/2002

Source: Rugby Observer

A NOTORIOUS gang of football hooligans were blamed this week after violence flared during Rugby Town's derby clash with rivals Leamington on Easter Monday (April 1).A 42-year-old Leamington fan needed hospital treatment after he was attacked some 15 minutes into the match, which attracted a bumper 1,206 crowd.And a Leamington club flag - a regular feature on the fence on the North Bank of the Harbury Lane ground - was also slashed with a knife by the trouble-makers.Police called to the ground identified the thugs as members of a hooligan gang called The Legion, who are known to have been involved in violence at Coventry City matches.Although most of the gang live in the Rugby area they have no connection with Rugby Town, and are believed to have deliberately targeted the top of the table Midland Combination Division One clash to cause trouble.After the violence the 15-strong gang of hooligans were told to leave the ground and did so peacefully.A 27-year-old Rugby man was arrested and charged with assault. He was bailed to appear before magistrates in Leamington on April 29 .Speaking to The Observer, Rugby Town chairman Daryl Cashmore said he was certain none of the trouble-makers were Town fans, but warned the club would take action against anyone from Rugby. "They are not welcome at any of our games and they will be banned from the ground, " Mr Cashmore added. "It was just mindless idiots who are in no way connected to Rugby Town."Kevin Hancock, secretary of the Friends of Leamington Football Club, was quick to stress that fans from neither club were responsible for the trouble ."They were just mindless trouble-makers who had nothing to do with Leamington or Rugby Town," Mr Hancock told The Observer. "It could easily have got nasty but the Leamington supporters were superb and did not get involved. "We have a great rivalry with Rugby Town, but it is a friendly one. "Officials and supporters of both clubs were equally upset by what happened. It spoilt the atmosphere."

Newell's Old Boys - Union Santa Fé - 28/04/2002

Source: www.tatengues.com.ar

Doncaster Rovers - Hereford United - 06/04/2002

Source: http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk

SOCCER FANS IN PUB RAMPAGE (10/04/2002)

Tom Weatherill DRINKERS cowered at the back of a town centre pub after fighting broke out following Doncaster Rovers' 4-0 defeat of Hereford United.
A group of 30 Hereford fans started brawling inside JD Wetherspoon's Gate House pub on Priory Walk following Saturday's Nationwide Conference game between the two sides at Belle Vue.

Customers hid at the back of the premises as bottles, chairs, glasses and tables were hurled across the pub.

A police spokesman said that a pregnant woman was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary following the incident suffering from minor injuries. She has since been released.

A trail of damage was left at the pub including smashed glasses, broken furniture and three smashed windows. Police were forced to deploy batons to bring the fracas under control.

During the afternoon, officers dealt with several disturbances around the town as well as at Belle Vue involving football supporters.

One man, who declined to be named, was drinking in The Gate House at the time and told the Free Press: "It was fairly busy and I was in there having a beer when a group of people came in.

"I heard someone shout 'they're here!' then it all went mad. They were chucking stools, bottles, glasses, all kinds of stuff.

"Everyone went to the back of the pub to get away. The police arrived shortly after with CS canisters and batons and after 10 minutes they shut the pub down.

"It was disgraceful. I got the hell out of there and left town."

Police arrested eight people, all from the Hereford area, for violent disorder, The men have been bailed until June 9, pending further enquiries.

A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon's said the pub chain had a policy of not admitting any people wearing football shirts and colours, but welcomed football fans.

He said the pub had had no previous trouble from Doncaster Rovers fans and the trouble started when Hereford supporters arrived.

He added: "Doncaster supporters have used the pub since it opened with no problems. It was a very unfortunate incident."

The pub re-opened later the same day after a clean-up by staff.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said officers entered the pub with drawn batons to restore control. He added that police carry CS spray as routine.

Officers are now reviewing CCTV footage of the area.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Doncaster Town Group on (0114) 2202020.

AC Sparta Prague - SK Slavia Prague - 04/04/2002

Source: hooligans.cz

During the match there were troubles with extremely aggressive security on both sides. Three hours after the match there was organized fihgt between small groups of both sides. 18 Slavia hools (6 polish lads were included) against about 25 Spartans, all without weapons. Result - draw.

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Source : Mail

Venezia - Torino - 28/04/2002

Source : Press

Celtic - Livingston - 06/04/2002

Source : Sunday Mirror

CELTIC FANS BOO THE QUEEN MUM

HARDLINE Celtic fans plunged their club into shame yesterday by disrupting the one minute's silence held in memory of the Queen Mother.

Republican Hoops fans marred their team's second Scottish Premier League Trophy win in a row as boos, chants and whistles echoed around Celtic's Parkhead stadium.

Fighting between Celtic fans broke out in the stands as the jeers of around 300 protestors sounded over the bowed heads of the Celtic and Livingston teams.

The minute's silence was cut short to just 32 seconds by referee Willie Young when obscenities were heard.

Frankie Shanks from west Belfast was at the game with his seven- year-old daughter, Claire, son Kieran, 14, and his pal, Steven, 14.

He said: "The trouble and shouting and booing was sickening. Fighting started right near us on the stand and my daughter began crying and was afraid, so we decided to leave.

"It was disgraceful. Celtic fans were fighting with each other, all because some wanted to disrupt the minute silence for the Queen Mother."

Frankie, who belongs to the Eireann go Bragh Celtic fan club added: "I am from west Belfast. I'm not a Royalist but all of us at our club had decided that we would act respectfully.

"We were there to see a football game. What happened today gives Celtic fans, especially ones from Northern Ireland, a bad name and yet most fans feel the way I do.

"I spent £90 on tickets and £147 on the ferry and we left the ground today before we even saw a ball kicked. I am very angry."

A band of supporters, many of whom are believed to have travelled from Northern Ireland, had vowed to boo loudly before the match.

Despite two public address pleas to observe the silence, the fears of football bosses were borne out.

Sunday Mirror sports writer Joe McHugh said: "Whistles began before the minute's silence and there were sustained cat calls and boos over the 30 seconds.

"In a packed stadium of 59,000, the noise from a few hundred who broke the silence made a big impact in Parkhead."

In a second royal snub, the national anthem was not played before the key title match, because football chiefs were worried it would spark violence.

The Scottish Football Association last week refus d to order clubs to play God Save the Queen for fears of antagonising Celtic supporters.

Their decision not to order Celtic to play the national anthem - a favourite with their arch rivals Rangers - even went against a directive from Downing Street.

Over 5,000 Celtic fans had made the journey from Northern Ireland and a small group of republicans had warned of "chaos and confrontation".

However, the majority of supporters at the crunch clash joined in the one minute's silence despite widespread speculation the booing would be out of control.

The players wore black arm bands and bowed their heads in respect.

However, Celtic bosses were said to be relieved that the booing which precursed the 5-1 title win had not been worse.

A Celtic FC insider said: "There was some booing and whistling but it could have been a lot worse. We're quite relieved because it went relatively well.

"But it could have been very embarrassing indeed if we would have been made to have played the national anthem."

A Celtic spokesman later condemned the actions of "a small minority" of fans.

He added: "It's disappointing that a small minority went against the request of the club.

"However, we are delighted that the vast majority of the supporters respected the silence."

Celtic's routing of Livingston saw them clinch the championship, giving them their second successive Scottish Premier League title.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman later said: "Their views are a matter for them and we leave it up to others to judge them."

Five fans were arrested and hauled out of Parkhead during the game for breach of the peace and drink-related offences, according to police.

Another six fans were arrested outside the stadium before and after the game for similar offences.