Urmston Manchester United fan banned from football grounds (From Messenger Newspapers)

Urmston Manchester United fan banned from football grounds

11:58am Friday 1st February 2013 in News

SEVEN men have been banned from going to football grounds for three years after a violent clash before a game at Old Trafford.

The men, including 49-year-old Mark Knott from Urmston, were handed the banning orders by a judge on January 28.

All seven took part in a brawl with Ajax fans outside the Binary bar in Manchester, moments prior to the Europa League match between Manchester United and the Dutch club.

The court was shown a catalogue of evidence compiled by police showing the seven Manchester United fans involved in a string of misdemeanours at other matches, home and away.

PC Ashley Keyte, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We do not consider these men to be football fans as to do so would be a slur on the vast majority of decent supporters who go to games and behave impeccably week-in week-out.

"Football related violence has no part in modern society, yet some mindless individuals still think it's acceptable to brawl with others for no other reason than their allegiance to another team.

"We work hard with football clubs across Greater Manchester to ensure that those who are convicted are banned from not only the ground of the team they support, but every single stadium in the UK.

"That is the case with these seven individuals."