First Sheffield United fans appear in court over 30-man Grimsby Town violence

Thirty cases are due to be heard this week at Hull Crown Court, involving both sets of fans, following a pre-season friendly in July 2016.

Between midday and 6pm, there were 10 major incidents involving “supporters” from both Grimsby Town FC and Sheffield United FC, who were playing a pre-season friendly at Blundell Park.

As clashes flared up in Market Place, High Street and Isaac’s Hill in Cleethorpes, we were forced to ask pubs packed with holiday makers to close.

A number of arrests were made on the day and, following an in-depth investigation by our team – working closely with officials from both clubs - 27 men admitted being involved in varying degrees of violent disorder.

A further three men admitted public order offences and this week they are all due to be sentenced at Hull Crown Court.

Yesterday, seven Grimsby Town fans who were involved in the most serious violence appeared before the court.

Seven Sheffield United supporters appeared in court - Liam Crapper, Joel Godbehere, Zakaria Khalifa, Andrew McIlvanney, George McIlvanney, Joseph Morris and Nicholas Waymouth.

This week, 29 cases will be heard - 16 GTFC fans and 13 Sheffield United fans and they will all be sentenced on Friday - nearly two years after the incident.

One case - Grimsby fan Macorley Robinson - has been adjourned already as a pre-sentence report wasn't available, according to the Grimsby Telegraph.