Eleven men have been handed football banning orders after a violent altercation between Cheltenham Town and Bristol Rovers supporters in Cheltenham town centre.
The men, all in their 20s, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Monday 20 and Wednesday 23 October, where they were each given three-year football banning orders, fined £214, and ordered to complete between 40 and 100 hours of community service.
The incident occurred on Saturday 15 October 2022, when police were called to Bath Road, Cheltenham, following reports of disorder between rival fans ahead of a League One fixture between the two clubs.
It was established that the groups had been drinking at nearby pubs before tensions escalated, leading to a fight breaking out on the street. Punches were exchanged before the individuals dispersed.
Following an investigation, officers reviewed CCTV footage and, after a public appeal, identified 15 men in connection with the incident. All were charged with affray offences. Eleven pleaded guilty, one was found not guilty, and charges were dropped against three others.
In mitigation, the court heard that the men were “young and immature” at the time of the incident but have since matured and expressed remorse for their actions.
Under the terms of their banning orders, the men are prohibited from attending any regulated football matches in the UK and must report to a designated police station when matches are played abroad. They are also required to notify the Football Banning Orders Authority of any changes to personal details, including names, addresses, or travel authorisations.
Football Officer PC Adrian Tuft from Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “I am pleased that these men are now facing the consequences of their actions. The fight took place on a busy street in the middle of the day, and it’s fortunate that no one was seriously injured. This case demonstrates that violence and anti-social behaviour linked to football will not be tolerated.”
John Duffy, Safety Officer at Cheltenham Town FC, added: “This firm action, taken by police with the full support of the club, underlines our commitment to ensuring that anyone who behaves poorly in or around a Cheltenham Town fixture will face the consequences.”
Gloucestershire Constabulary and Cheltenham Town FC continue to work together to promote safe and enjoyable matchdays for all supporters.
