Bootle man gets Football Banning Order

Football Banning Orders have been issued to two men following the Tranmere Rovers FC versus Bolton Wanderes FC fixture last month at Prenton Park.

On Saturday, 17 August, two Bolton Wanderers FC supporters were arrested for two separate incidents inside the stadium following work by the club’s CCTV operators, working alongside Merseyside Police.

47-year-old Geoffrey Ramsden from Castle Croft, Bolton, appeared at South Sefton Magistrates for Pitch Encroachment and was given a three year Football Banning Order and now has a criminal record.

21-year-old Kai Holmes from Bootle, also appeared at South Sefton Magistrates for a S39 Assault of a club steward along with being Drunk and Disorderly and was issued with a five year Football Banning Order and now has a criminal record.

Conditions of the order include:

• The defendant must not enter any premises for the purpose of attending any football matches in the UK which are regulated for the purposes of the Football Spectators Act 1989

• When regulated football matches are being played outside the UK, if and when the defendant is required to do so, he must report to that police station, and must surrender his forms of travel authorisation held at the time or between the times set out in the notice telling him when to report

• During the order the defendant must give notice to the Football Banning Orders Authority of changes of circumstances

Failure to obey the conditions of the order may result in imprisonment or a fine.

Superintendent Gary O’Rourke said: "The two incidents are totally unacceptable and we always take action against supporters who do not respect the safety of other supporters. We want everyone to enjoy football matches on Merseyside and it is unfair that some supporters, be it a few, ruin it for everyone else.”

"We recognise that the majority of supporters are well behaved. However, there are a small minority who put themselves and others in danger and we will always work with clubs to identify those people and put them before the courts.”

"We will continue to work closely with all of our local clubs to make matches safe and enjoyable occasions for everyone.”

Nicola Palios, Vice Chairman of Tranmere Rovers said: "Football thrives on passion and we want both home and away supporters at Prenton Park to be noisy and create an atmosphere, but there is a line which must not be crossed.”

"Prenton Park is a family friendly club and we will always work with the police to ensure that individuals who cross that line are dealt with. We are therefore pleased to see that bad behaviour by a small minority of Bolton fans at our recent match has been swiftly and effectively dealt with.”