A 16-year-old boy from Gloucester has been handed a three-year football banning order following an assault on a teenage boy during a Southport FC match. The incident occurred on Saturday, 1 April, when officers received a report that a 15-year-old boy had been punched outside Southport FC’s stadium after a game against Gloucester City.

The victim suffered a broken nose and a head injury as a result of the assault. CCTV footage helped identify the 16-year-old boy from Gloucester as the assailant, leading to his arrest on Wednesday, 6 September. The young offender pleaded guilty to assault and affray and was subsequently given an eight-month referral order and the three-year football banning order during his hearing at Cheltenham Youth Court on Friday, 13 October.

Expressing his thoughts on the sentencing, Inspector Tony Grimes emphasised the importance of deterring such violent crimes at football stadiums. He stated, “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 behavior could have left a teenage boy with serious injuries and has no place in football.”

Inspector Grimes also highlighted the commitment of the police to collaborate with clubs in identifying and bringing to justice those responsible for such crimes. The aim is to prevent similar incidents from occurring and ensure the safety of supporters within stadium premises.

In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Southport FC expressed gratitude for the cooperation with Merseyside Police and the swift resolution of the case. They stressed that there is no tolerance for such behavior at football matches and affirmed the club’s dedication to working closely with relevant authorities and stewards to maintain a secure environment for supporters of all ages.