Famous Leicester Babysquad - News Section

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16 OCTOBER 2000 - LEICESTER MERCURY

Arrests as rival fans fight after big game by Domonic Eaves

CONFRONTATION: Police act to deal with scuffles outside Filbert Street after the match on Saturday afternoon

These were the ugly scenes outside Filbert Street on Saturday afternoon. Police moved quickly to quell the violence as running scuffles broke out between football fans following Leicester City's crunch clash with Manchester United. Eyewitnesses estimate up to 150 people were involved in trouble and say some coins and bottles were thrown. About 40 police with dog handlers swooped to quell the trouble as scuffles between rival sets of supporters spilled on to Walnut Street, Havelock Street and Aylestone Road. One eyewitness said officers had used batons to separate groups and before a large section of the travelling supporters was given a police escort to Leicester station. Police confirmed a number of arrests were made following fighting among a "substantial number" of rival supporters. British Transport Police said there was no further trouble at Leicester station, and confirmed that no further arrests were made before away fans left the city.

29 SEPTEMBER 2000 - LEICESTER MERCURY

CITY FANS INJURED IN EURO VIOLENCE by Adam Wakelin

Leicester City fans were today praised for keeping cool as trouble marred last night's Uefa Cup match with Red Star Belgrade. Six City fans were injured in clashes with rival supporters in Vienna's main square yesterday and flares were thrown at Leicester supporters during the game. Uefa officials are to investigate the trouble at last night's game which Leicester lost 3-1. Both clubs could face disciplinary action. Uefa said it could not comment further until its observer Cees de Bruin had filed his report, which is expected in the next 24 hours. City chairman John Elsom was expected to make a statement about the trouble this afternoon. Stuart Adam, British vice consul in the Austrian capital, praised City fans for their good behaviour and restraint. He said: "The atmosphere in the ground was the scariest I have been involved in 25 years of football. The Leicester fans were a credit to their team and their country. All the trouble came from Red Star." A senior English policeman inside the ground said it was the most hostile atmosphere he had ever witnessed at a soccer match. Flares were thrown at Leicester supporters during the game and one narrowly missed goalkeeper Tim Flowers. Briton Steven Abel said: ‘‘It's a scandal they can get away with throwing flares at fans. I had a plastic bottle confiscated but they're allowed to take flares and all sorts into the game.'' Bruce Plummer, a Briton living in Vienna, said: ‘‘People will blame the English because they've got a reputation. Some Leicester fans weren't bothered with watching the game, but the Belgrade fans were just as bad.'' A section of Foxes fans faced a barrage of bottles and stones from the Yugoslavs as they left the coaches which had carried them to the stadium. Racist chants were aimed at City stars Ade Akinbiyi and defender Andrew Impey during the match. Fox fanzine editor Gary Silke, who was at the match, said: "Flares were being chucked into our section which had women and kids inside. It was very nasty." Leicester manager Peter Taylor said: "I heard the racist chants and it is disappointing because football is just a game. "I imagine Ade and Andrew would have heard them too but they got on with things because they are professionals.'' At one point during the game, the two sets of fans squared up to each other across the wire fencing. City chairman John Elsom appealed over the public address system for the club's fans not to cause problems and to return to their seats. Violence also broke out in the Austrian capital beforehand with chairs, tables and bottles being hurled by the rival groups of sup porters in the city's main square. Major Fritz Scharwz, the officer in charge of policing the match, said six City fans sustained minor injuries from flying bottles. He blamed Red Star Belgrade supporters for most of the trouble but said around 10 Leicester supporters also behaved badly in Vienna during the day. One Red Star Belgrade fan was arrested. Tensions were running high before the match with the Yugoslavs unhappy the game had been switched to a neutral venue for security purposes. Red Star coach Slavo Muslin had stoked up the atmosphere further by insisting he would never shake hands with his Foxes counterpart Peter Taylor. The pair had been involved in an angry verbal exchange during and after the first leg which ended in a 1-1 draw at Filbert Street a fort night ago. In a post-match interview, the City boss said he would try to end his feud with his opposite number. Were you at last night's match? Tell us your story. Ring the news desk on 0116 222 4241 or email newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk .

02 SEPTEMBER 2000 - LEICESTER MERCURY

Two football fans from Leicester are among the first wave of supporters to be stopped from following England abroad.The two supporters, who have not been named, were summoned to appear before magistrates this week under powers given to police by the new Football (Disorder) Act.The legislation was rushed through Parliament in time for England's friendly match against France in Paris tonight to prevent a repeat of the Euro 2000 violence.The act gives police the power to prevent suspected hooligans from travelling abroad to matches, regardless of whether or not they have previous convictions. 02/09/00.

15 AUGUST 2000 - LEICESTER MERCURY

City hooligans second in list of soccer shame by Sian Brewis

Leicester City hooligans have been named by police as some of the most violent in Britain. Officers from football watchdog the National Criminal Intelligence Service found Leicester was second in a list of Britain's worst football hooligans. Of the 83 incidents recorded by police last season as being particularly violent, Leicester had seven. Leading was Wolves with nine. Violence ranged from mass brawling, to smaller fights where supporters were seriously injured with weapons. The figures are being used by football security chiefs to put in place plans to tackle violence during the upcoming football season. But Blue Army fans and club bosses today said Leicester City did not have a hooligan problem. The club says the figures are so high because they reported all hooligan incidents to police. Other clubs may not report every case, they added, so detectives would not be able to compile a complete picture of every ground's problems. Cliff Ginnetta, chairman of the Leicester City Supporters' Club, which has 2,500 members, said: "I think it's rather misleading. It's a very small number of people we are talking about. ‘‘I don't think Leicester City are any worse than any other fans, it's just how they collate the statistics. "One case is one too many but it's not something that we are particularly concerned about. I think our ground is one of the safest in the country." And a spokesman for Leicester City FC said: "We take a very strong line with any incidents of this kind. "Anybody involved in incidents of serious violence is excluded from the ground and excluded from future matches. We are probably more proactive in dealing with the problem than a lot of clubs." Elsewhere in the list of the worst hooligan incidents, Manchester City and Wigan recorded six, Stoke and Cardiff had five, Millwall three and Chelsea and Sunderland two.

16 AUGUST 2000 - LEICESTER MERCURY

City fans under fire by Adam Wakelin

Leicester fans are near top of the league of shame Leicester soccer thugs brandishing bottles, pool balls and cues ripped into Coventry City fans after ambushing them outside a pub. The sickening attack was one of a number of terrifying incidents involving Leicester City yobs last season. As reported yesterday, they were responsible for seven of the 83 worst acts of football-related violence recorded by the police's National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) last year. Other horrific acts of hooliganism saw City thugs hurl bottles, chairs and ash trays at West Ham supporters, and a mass brawl with Hereford United followers. The figures appeared to show that Leicester fans were the second most violent in the country – behind only Wolves, which led the league of shame with nine incidents. But Superintendent Bill Holland, in charge of policing matches at Filbert Street, said City fans were unlikely to be worse behaved than those from other clubs. He said police in Leicester reported all acts of football-related violence to NCIS, whereas other forces may have used different criteria to notify the watchdog. "It is a very subjective assessment," said Supt Holland. "I personally don't think Leicester City attracts a greater share of hooligans then other clubs. My reservation about figures like this is they could be seen as a badge of honour by a fringe element that causes the trouble." A spokesman for Leicester City said the club had worked hard with the police to cut trouble inside the ground. He said: "We cannot be responsible for the actions of a few mindless idiots in blue and white shirts in and around Leicester. "Our club has worked hard to curb the problem of hooligans." Supt Holland said police intelligence had identified a small number of hardcore trouble-makers who instigated much of the violence and encouraged others to join in. Their activities were closely monitored, he said, and officers often knew of pre-arranged fights between different sets of supporters. "Criminal intelligence is not an exact science," he said. "It does get increasingly difficult because many incidents happen so far away from the ground." Kevin Barclay, health and safety manager for Leicester City, said arrests inside the ground rose from 48 in 1998/99 to 53 last season. That was due largely due to successful initiatives to crack down on racism and foul language, he said. Catalogue of football hooliganism JULY 17, 1999,Kettering Town v Leicester (Pre-season friendly): There were problems inside the ground during the match. Afterwards, Kettering supporters confronted City fans at the railway station. Police arrested 14 Leicester supporters. NOV 27, 1999, Coventry v Leicester City (Premiership): Around 60 Coventry City supporters were ambushed by City fans armed with bottles, pool balls and cues. A lorry driving along the road had its windows smashed by flying bottles. Officers arrived and the groups were dispersed. DEC 22, Leicester City v Hereford United (FA Cup): Before the match a group of 30 Leicester supporters fought with a group of 40 Hereford supporters. Police separated the rival groups. JAN 22, 2000: Leicester City v West Ham (Premiership): A group of 30 Leicester supporters attacked a pub where 20 West Ham fans were drinking. Bottles, chairs and ashtrays were used during the attack. Police separated the groups. FEB 2, 2000 Leicester City v Aston Villa (Worthington Cup): Before this match Leicester supporters attacked a pub where visiting Aston Villa supporters were drinking. Bottles and glasses were used as missiles. Police separated the groups. At the end of the match the rival groups clashed again. The Aston Villa supporters armed themselves with bottles, glasses and steak knives from a local pub. MAR 18, 2000, Leicester City v Manchester United (Premiership): City supporters attempted to attack Manchester United supporters who were being escorted to the ground. Police kept the rival groups apart. During the game Leicester supporters fought with each other. The two groups of Leicester supporters both believed that the others were Manchester United fans. APR 4, Leicester City v Everton (Premiership): After this fixture a group of Muslim males who were distributing leaflets in the city centre were attacked. One of this group sustained a broken jaw. Their attackers were identified as City supporters. Two men were arrested.

12 JUNE 2000 - LEICESTER MERCURY

Football fans turned back from border

Belgian police mounting a Euro 2000 hooliganism crackdown have turned back two Leicestershire football fans from the border. Officers barred Justin Barrell, from Leicester, and Anthony Harrison, from Loughborough, as they attempted to travel in to the country on a Eurostar train on Saturday. British police said both had convictions for threatening behaviour. Neither had been banned from travelling from Britain. Officers were escorting them back to Waterloo. The pair have been named by the National Criminal Intelligence Service. Home Office sources report that two dozen English football fans trying to reach Euro 2000 have been turned away at the Dutch and Belgian borders. The two men were on their way back to Britain on Saturday after their names were included in a list of known or suspected hooligans passed to police in the host counties. ‘‘That should get the message over that if you are on a list, don't travel,'' the Home Office source said. Those that do slip through the net were warned by police that ‘‘violence will be met by violence'' as fears mounted that hooligans could once again go on the rampage when England play their first game tonight. Up to 17,000 ticketless fans are expected in Eindhoven for the game against Portugal, the Dutch city's mayor warned. Dr Rein Welschen, mayor of the town, said fans would be able to drink in the bars in the centre until four in the morning. Lessons had been learned from the unsuccessful drinking restrictions at the 1998 World Cup in France and bar owners had been encouraged to stay open, he said. ‘‘We do not want a situation where we have bars closing as if the country was at war,'' he said.

16 MARCH 1999 - LEICESTER MERCURY

Scenes so sickening

The shameful scenes reported today of six football thugs brutally attacking supporters from another club make sickening reading. Not only for any true football fan, who will find these repellent scenes a sad reminder that soccer violence is still with us, but also for any normal, law-abiding member of the public, who will struggle to comprehend what goes through the minds of thugs like this. Fortunately, Judge Peter De Mille has done the right thing, handing each of them a four-year jail sentence for their part in the disgraceful attack on some Coventry City fans. And, when these animals do see the light of day again, they will not be going to any games at Leicester City, as the club have quite rightly banned them for life. Let us hope these actions send the right message to other hooligans - this kind of behaviour cannot be tolerated. Fortunately, such sick people are in the minority - as demonstrated on this page, where we highlight the wonderful efforts of the Worthington Walkers to raise money for charity by walking to Wembley.

16 OCTOBER 1998 - LEICESTER MERCURY

Sports minister rips into England hooligans and promises overdue action

Sports Minister Tony Banks attacked English football hooligans after violence erupted in Luxembourg. Mr Banks warned the Government would act quickly to crack down after hundreds of thugs clashed with 900 police. He spoke out after nearly 90 England fans were arrested following the 3-0 victory over Luxembourg in the Euro 2000 qualifier. Another 40 ticketless 'fans' were held by police after charging the gates at the stadium. Some 10 known troublemakers were among 25 fans deported from Belgium for being drunk and 'a menace to public order', according to police. Mr Banks warned: 'This is a continuing problem that we are presented with that ministers are determined to handle. 'There will be proposals put forward that will enable us to deal with these determined troublemakers that continue to besmirch the reputation of football in this country and the reputation of the nation.'

25 JUNE 1998 - LEICESTER MERCURY

Hooligan’s betrayal by Adam Wakelin

We are deeply ashamed - that is the message sent by Hinckley Mayor Geoff Payne to his Marseille counterpart in a letter apologising for the actions of English football hooligans. In the letter Coun Payne expresses his sincere apologies to the citizens of Marseille and says the whole town feels betrayed by the dreadful behaviour of local man Liam Yeomans and other English hooligans. Deputy Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth Liz Atkin also made a gesture of reconciliation to the French while on a civic visit to twin town Le Grande Quevilly during the weekend. She said: “I did not make a formal speech but I told our guests that we in Hinckley felt ashamed by the behaviour of British hooligans. “They were very understanding and said that every society had got its thugs and that they understood not all English people were like that.” Coun Atkin was in Le Grande Quevilly with husband Rob and Coun Peter Hall and his wife Ann to take part in the town’s Bakaydes Festival. The trip had been arranged months before last week’s disturbances and Coun Atkin said she feared a frosty reception from the French. “There was no bad feeling at all and we were made to feel very welcome by our hosts,” she said. “There were representatives from towns in Israel, Morodovia and Germany and we all got on very well. Hopefully we managed to repair a few creaking bridges.” Commenting on Coun Atkin’s warm reception, Coun Payne said: “It is nothing less than we would expect. “We have always had a good relationship with our French counterparts and it will take more than a few mindless hooligans to spoil it. “The time has come for us to put this behind us and move on.” In a further move to bolster relations between the two towns, councillors voted at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday night to name a new road in Hinckley Fabius Close after French mayor Laurent Fabius. The name was suggested by Coun Atkin, who said: “I thought it would be a nice gesture.” Mr Mayor and dear colleague, On behalf of all the citizens of the Borough of Hinckley and Bosworth I am writing to you to express my sincere regrets for the dreadful behaviour of some English football fans. Unfortunately for us, one of the trouble-makers came from our town and we are deeply ashamed. It is usually a very small minority who cause trouble. The whole town and the country feels betrayed by the dreadful behaviour of this criminal element. They besmirch the name of English football and spoil our country’s reputation. Please accept and express my sincere apologies to yourself and to the citizens of Marseille. Mr Mayor and dear colleagues,I assure you of my best wishes. Yours sincerely, Councillor Geoffrey H Payne

17 JUNE 1998 - LEICESTER MERCURY

World Cup: Two more England fans jailed after riots

One of England's notorious football hooligans was today starting a four-month prison sentence in France after being convicted of starting the riots in Marseilles. Skinhead Liam Yeomans, a 26-year-old tiler from Leicester, pelted Tunisian supporters with bottles and stones in the violence which marred England's opening World Cup victory. Both Yeomans and Mark Thompson, a 31-year-old railway worker from Nuneaton, Warwicks, admitted throwing missiles at rival fans. Thompson was also jailed for four months and both men were banned from entering France for two years after their release from prison. Passing sentence, Judge Jacqueline Faglin told Yeomans: 'You are known in the UK as a hooligan. The British police warned us you were here.' Another England fan, 31-year-old postman Paul Grover, of Hanworth, west London, was jailed for two months for throwing cans at police outside Marseilles' Velodrome stadium and at the main railway station. Two English football fans were jailed for three months yesterday after being convicted of criminal damage and incitement to riot. A third supporter was given a two-month jail sentence for throwing missiles at police. A leading Marseilles politician has called for England to be kicked out of the World Cup to avoid any more trouble from hooligans. Renaud Muselier, the city's deputy mayor and local member of parliament, said Marseilles expected an official apology and reimbursement from the British authorities for the damage caused by supporters. He added: 'The dignity of the World Cup would demand that England be disqualified or excluded from the World Cup.'