Teenage boy given three-year football banning order after incident at Southport FC match

A 16-year-old boy has received a three-year football banning order after a teenage boy was assaulted at a Southport FC match.

The 16-year-old boy from Gloucester received an eight-month referral order and a three-year football banning order at Cheltenham Youth Court today, Friday 13 October, after pleading guilty to assault and affray.

On Saturday 1 April officers received a report that a 15-year-old boy had been punched outside Southport FC’s stadium, on Haig Avenue, after a match against Gloucester City.

The victim sustained a broken nose and a head injury during the incident.

CCTV footage of the assault after the game identified a 16-year-old boy from Gloucester as the attacker. The boy was charged with assault and affray on Wednesday 6 September.

Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Tony Grimes said: “I hope this sends a clear message and acts as a deterrent to others that we will put you before the courts if you commit such violent crimes at our stadiums.

“This type of behaviour could have left a teenage boy with serious injuries and has no place in football.

“Our officers will continue to work with clubs to find those responsible for such crimes and bring them to justice so this doesn’t happen to another supporter at our grounds.”

A Southport FC spokesman said: “We were pleased to work with Merseyside Police in relation to this incident and are pleased to see the offender brought to justice quickly.

"There is no place for this kind of behaviour at football matches and Southport Football Club and our stewards will continue to work closely with the necessary authorities to ensure that The Big Help Stadium remains a safe environment for supporters of all ages to attend matches.”