Football yob barred from every ground in UK

Jul 31 2008 by Graham Fraser, Hamilton Advertiser

A TEENAGE yob from Larkhall has been banned from every football ground in the United Kingdom following his arrest at the UEFA Cup final in Manchester.

Gary Johnson (17), of Hawick Crescent, is one of five so-called fans who received Football Banning Orders last week at Hamilton and Glasgow Sheriff Courts.

Johnson, who is also known as Gary Stephen Johnston, is not allowed to attend any game in Britain for the next three years.

His order also states he must attend police stations and surrender his passport during relevant overseas football fixtures.

Stephen House, the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police, was the named applicant on the Football Banning Order against Johnson.

The police made the move to obtain the orders following the violence which marred Zenit St Petersburg’s victory in the UEFA Cup Final against Rangers on May 14.

According to the banning order, Johnson was arrested following an incident inside the City of Manchester Stadium.

The report stated: “Zenit St Petersburg had scored a goal in the cup final and stewards within the stadium escorted a Zenit fan from the pitch.

“As he was being escorted, the respondent (Gary Johnson) was seen to stand up and throw what looked like an empty plastic bottle at the other male.

“The respondent initially claimed someone else had thrown it. He was arrested and subsequently admitted throwing the plastic bottle.”

Johnson was made the subject of a three-year Football Banning Order on May 23 at Manchester City Magistrates Court.

However, the order is not enforceable in Scotland.

Consequently, Strathclyde Police moved to ban Johnson from all games in Scotland and Sheriff Donald Ferguson granted the application last week.

Stewart McCardle (18), from Rydal Place, East Kilbride, was also banned by the Sheriff last Wednesday, July 23.

Last Friday, July 25, the police succeeded in getting a further three Football Banning Orders at Glasgow Sheriff Court against three Glasgow men.

Chief Superintendent Robin Howe commented: “I welcome the news that these Football Banning Orders have been granted.

“Antisocial behaviour around matches will not be tolerated and we will continue to target those groups of people who cause trouble in the lead up to, during, and after matches.

“This sends a strong message to those who think they can continue to be disruptive and disorderly when going to football matches and we will take all necessary steps to prevent these individuals from ruining the sport for everyone else with their antisocial behaviour.”

A spokesman for Rangers Football Club added: “We fully endorse the action taken by Strathclyde Police to secure Football Banning Orders against these individuals.

“From the outset, we have said anyone involved in the disturbances would be banned from Ibrox indefinitely and the club supports the strongest action taken against those whose actions undermined the good behaviour of the overwhelming majority of supporters who travelled to Manchester for the UEFA Cup Final.”