Dale hooligans join league of shame

Rochdale AFC logo

Hundreds of football hooligans have shamed their club by being banned from games or arrested.

Figures released by the Home Office for the 2006/07 season show that Rochdale has five banning orders in place, three given out last season, and there were 10 arrests.

Football banning orders are a civil measure, designed to make it easier to stop hooligans attending games without proving criminal behaviour beyond reasonable doubt. They can last from two to 10 years,

Violence and disorder do not necessarily have to be football-related to lead to a ban and can involve behaviour that is not even a crime under British law.

That behaviour can include stirring up racial hatred, using threatening or abusive words, and even displaying abusive or insulting writing - which could include a tattoo.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: “Football violence and disorder has no place in the modern game and we are determined to crack down on those who attempt to ruin the sport.”

The number of bans at Manchester United is the second worst in the Premiership, with 20 in 2006-07, bringing the total to 90.

In addition, 192 United fans were arrested in 2006-07 - 76 at Old Trafford and another 116 at away clashes.

Manchester City has a better record with 91 arrests last season, 48 of which were at the City of Manchester Stadium. And there are 60 banning orders are in place on City fans, 15 of them imposed last season.

18 Oldham Athletic fans were arrested - four at Boundary Park and 14 at away matches.

Nationally, the number of football hooligans arrested by police has risen for the first time in four years.

Nearly 3,800 yobs were taken into custody by officers last season, a rise of 300 or 8 per cent on the previous 12 months - the equivalent of 0.01 per cent of spectators.