' 6 New Football Banning Orders '

Six new Rams fans on football banning orders

By Martin_Naylor

December 02, 2015


SIX new football banning orders have been put in place on people who claim to follow Derby County.

New figures show 22 alleged Rams fans are now the subject of the orders, which are put in place in court following convictions for football related trouble at or close to matches.




The six new orders, which have been revealed in a Home Office report, do not, however, take into account fresh orders imposed last month following the conviction of 15 fans for violent disorder between followers of Derby and Nottingham Forest.

Those convictions saw a number of followers of both teams handed banning orders following a mass brawl involving up to 70 men or youths in Trowel in 2013.

The Home Office figures cover the period between September 2014 and 2015.

They reveal how nationally 2,181 orders are currently in force.

The club with the highest number of orders is Newcastle United with 132 followed by Chelsea with 79.

They show how Derby County's rivals Nottingham Forest had 23 football banning orders in place before last month's convictions.

In the SkyBet Championship, Leeds United have the highest number of orders in place with 58, followed by Cardiff City, with 58, and Wolverhampton Wanderers with 43.

Derby's most senior office, Chief Superintendent Jack Atwal, said: “The slight rise in the number of people subject to these banning orders shows just how seriously we take football-related violence and anti-social behaviour.

“We absolutely will not tolerate it and take action against any so-called fans who take part in that sort of activity.

“A number of fans were recently convicted of disorder, so the number is expected to rise again.

“During the build up to the Euros in France next year, we will continue to take a hard line on anyone who disrupts the enjoyment of others.

“The safety of football supporters and the public in general is paramount and we will fully investigate anyone who causes trouble at or around football matches."

The report says: “Banning orders are issued by the courts following a conviction for a football-related offence.

“For an order to be made, the court must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that making a banning order would help to prevent violence or disorder at or in connection with any regulated football match.

“Orders are not imposed on individuals solely on the basis of minor convictions, like alcohol offences or similar misdemeanours.

“They can last between three and 10 years and can be customised to address individual behaviour patterns. Breach of an order is a criminal offence and is punishable by a maximum sentence of six months in prison or a fine of up to £5,000, or both."

Burton Albion's fans are one of the best behaved in the four division with none of their fans serving football banning order.

Now the Euros are getting closer prepare yourselves for an increase in Section B civil banning orders

watching football is not a crime

FSF Caseworker Amanda Jacks explains what you should do if served with a Football Banning Order (FBO)...
FBO applications are granted by the courts if they are satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that making a banning order would help prevent violence or disorder at or in connection with any regulated football match.
Applications are either made on conviction of a football-related offence or by a Chief Constable to the courts, these are known as 'civil' bans.

"Targets" for civil bans need not have a criminal conviction and to support their application the police can produce evidence that is up to 10-years-old, this may include CCTV footage.
Invariably, if a supporter served with an application for a civil FBO contacts me for advice, he'll tell me that the police hand delivered the application, advised them to accept it without challenge as, if they don't, they could be hit with huge costs, into the thousands of pounds. Fans also tell me that the police claim courts may even increase the period of the ban and legal aid won't be available.

This is not professional legal advice nor is it given in the supporters best interest yet may mean that a lot of applications are granted without challenge by the courts.
With the Euros next year, it is possible that the number of civil applications will increase. I've already assisted three supporters over the summer and referred them to a solicitor, Melanie Cooke, for an initial free of charge consultation after which the supporter will be advised whether or not they should contest the application.
While the likelihood of you or anybody you know being served with an application is low my advice is simple - regardless of what the police may tell you, don't just go to court and accept the order without some free, professional advice from a specialist solicitor.

You can contact FSF Caseworker Amanda Jacks via:
Mobile: 07703 519555
Twitter: @fsf_faircop
Email: faircop@fsf.org.uk
Watching Football Is Not A Crime! is part of the FSF's ongoing drive to monitor the police in their dealings with football fans and work with them to ensure that all fans are treated fairly and within the law.
- See more at: http://www.fsf.org.uk/blog/view/served- ... XjfTy.dpuf