Hooly hotbed at Stags

Mansfield Town, who meet Hereford United in the LDV tomorrow evening, has one of the biggest hooligan problems in lower league football according to figures printed by the Nottingham Evening Post.

The statistics show 42 Mansfield fans are currently subject to football banning orders.

In a recent court case Steve Peat, 27, of Beauvale Gardens, Annesley Woodhouse, was banned for three years; Andrew Moore, 35, of Newgate Lane, Mansfield, for two-and-a-half years; and Jason Coupe, 22, of West End Court, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and Justin Marriott, 20, of Little John Drive, Rainworth, for two years.

Smiling and flashing V signs as they left court, the four said police had victimised them.

Moore, who succeeded in having his ban cut from three to two-and-a-half years, said: "I got ejected from a Mansfield Town game once for being drunk and I've got convictions for domestic violence but I've never been charged over any football hooliganism.

"This order means I won't even be able to go shopping with my daughter in Mansfield on a Saturday afternoon. How can that be right?"

Peat also pleaded his innocence. He said: "Everything the police say I've done has nothing to do with football."

Insp Drozdowski of the Nottingham Police defended the banning orders, saying they followed a long investigation.

He said: "I am disappointed with the reaction of these four. If they continue their behaviour they will go straight back before the courts.

"Our intelligence shows that Peat has a history of being a ringleader of football-related violence in Notts and at grounds outside the county.

"All four claim to be Mansfield Town fans, but have regularly joined up with hooligans from Forest and County at their games."

Under the orders, Peat must not be within ten miles of any ground in England and Wales up to four hours before or six hours after a professional match. The other three are banned for four hours before and four hours after.

All must report to police and surrender their passport when England play abroad.

Notional football banning orders are of two main types. Where police can prove a supporter carried out physical action at a match, section 14a of the Football (Disorder) Act 2000 allows for a ban of three to five years.

Under section 14b, courts can give a two-to-three year ban if police show on the balance of probabilities that a supporter is involved in violence.

Insp Drozdowski explained some of the methods hooligans use to arrange fights.

He said: "Those involved tend to be assigned tasks. One fixes the location for a meet, another fixes transport, and someone else will be in charge of ensuring everyone turns up.

"If the rival group is bigger, the Notts hooligans will even tip police off on the venue so they won't lose face. It happened in Swansea a few years ago, when about 50 Forest hooligans realised they would be facing 250 from Swansea."

Insp Drozdowski says there is Government support to fight on against hooliganism.

"We are increasing our intelligence all the time and all those involved with violence will be rooted out and brought before the courts."

The groups who are out for trouble include Mansfield Town who have a hooligan contingent known as the Mansfield Shady Express, with around 120 members. There are also a further 40 in the Mansfield Youth Group.

The FA has been monitoring closely the effectiveness of the national banning orders.

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