The Poolie Bunker

Pools fans banned after derby day trouble

Two men have been banned from attending matches for their part in inciting violence at a Hartlepool United derby game.

Pools supporters Lee Anthony Smurthwaite, 22 and Kevin Andrew Tull, 28, were both banned from attending Hartlepool United games for three years after appearing before Hartlepool Magistrates Court.
Smurthwaite, of Navigation Point, and Tull, of Spurn Walk, both Hartlepool, must also hand in their passports when England play abroad for five years.
On the day of the derby game against Darlington, on October 28, last year, Smurthwaite and Tull were caught on CCTV in Church Street, Hartlepool.
Detective Inspector John Chapman, of Cleveland Police force's intelligence bureau and football banning orders unit, said the pair had to be held back by police when Darlington fans were going to Hartlepool train station and were "causing and contributing to violence".
He added that, at a Hartlepool United versus Bury away game on December 23, last year, Tull "was involved in a fight in the street that was caught on CCTV, although no criminal charges were brought. Smurthwaite was caught on CCTV gesticulating to the opposing fans."
Tull was also ordered to pay £800 court costs and Smurthwaite £520 costs after they denied contravening football disorder legislation but were found guilty by magistrates.
Det Insp Chapman said Cleveland Police have had a successful run of banning orders imposed as a result of violence at the Hartlepool and Darlington derby game.
He revealed that Smurthwaite and Tull were among a total of seven bans brought as a result of the match.
He added: "We proactively investigated the match to collate the evidence to ban them.
"Football is a family game and enjoyed by families. We won't tolerate it."
Det Insp Chapman added: "I'd like to congratulate my officers and remind people that the vast majority of football supporters are law-abiding citizens who spend their hard-earned money watching our national game.
"However, we will not tolerate football violence and we are pursuing other lines of enquiry."
Det Insp Chapman said at present there were another eight people in the court system that were to be dealt with in respect of football banning orders and disorder at the same game in October.
From April 2006 to March 2007, Cleveland Police successfully brought prosecutions which led to 23 banning orders being issued, including two for Hartlepool United fans.
Since April, nine bans have been imposed, including seven handed to Pools supporters.
Det Insp Chapman added: "Cleveland Police's football banning orders unit have led the country for the last two years in terms of prosecutions for pro-active policing at football matches."

Don't think so.... it's a mans game, everyone knows that.