Sheffield United fans BANNED from football with worst behaved set to learn their fate

Trouble flared between so-called Grimsby Town FC and Sheffield United FC fans before and after a pre-season friendly clash between the sides on July 23, 2016.

Between midday and 6pm, there were 10 major incidents, with clashes in Market Place, High Street and Isaac’s Hill, Cleethorpes.

A number of arrests were made on the day and, following an in-depth investigation, many of the men admitted to varying degrees of violent disorder.

Others admitted the lesser offences of affray or section four public order offences.

Eight men, who admitted affray, were given unpaid work on Wednesday and three, who admitted threatening behaviour, were fined yesterday.

The fifth of five days of hearings at Hull Crown Court sees those most seriously involved appearing in court.

Kevin Lowe, 47, of Hillsborough, Sheffield, admitted affray.

He was involved in the disturbance on the North Wall after the match and threw a punch at a man. He was given a five year banning order, 12 month community order and ordered to complete 215 hours of unpaid work.

Lee Lewellyn, 31, of Sheffield, admitted affray. He was at the forefront of Sheffield fans who were goading Grimsby fans, by shouting and gesticulating.

He was given a three year banning order, a 12 month community order and ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid work.

Martin Smith, 37, of Sheffield, admitted affray. He was at the forefront of clashes in Market Place and High Street and later changed his top to avoid being caught by our officers. He also pushed one of our officers.

He was given a three year banning order, 12 month community order and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

Richard Day, 51, of Rotherham admitted a public order offence. He was fined £618.

Bradley Kirk, 20, of Sheffield, admitted a public order offence. He was fined £235.

Ricky Wetherstone, of Rotherham, admitted a public order offence. He was fined £990.

Five Grimsby Town fans were also sentenced after admitting affray and were handed 17 years worth of banning orders.

Supt Dave Hall said: “The violence and disorder that surrounded this match was deplorable – some of the worst our officers have seen.

“Supporters from both sides were extremely aggressive towards each other, throwing bottles and other missiles, as well as fighting.

“More than 100 of our officers – including dog handlers – were involved in containing the violence on the day, with many more involved in the subsequent investigation to catch those responsible.

“True fans don’t go out looking for trouble. The vast majority just want to show their support for their team and enjoy themselves – and we are there to make sure that’s what happens.

“However, if anyone does cross the line, we won’t hesitate to take action and, as these cases show, we take it very seriously.”