Speaking to BBC Hereford and Worcester, Chief Inspector Shane Hancock has given his reaction to the sentences handed out to five Herefordshire men (see previous article) last Friday at Worcester Crown Court.
"The attack took place sometime after the game against Shrewsbury Town in April last year with a 12 mid-day kick-off. The actual attack took place at 5.30 in the afternoon. Some Shrewsbury supporters had decided to stay in town and were set upon in an unproked manner by a number of people who associate themselves with Hereford United football club. I say associated themselves in the loosest of terms.
"With some clubs there are very small elements who associate themselves with those clubs who come out looking for dis-order and violence and it is those people we will continue to target.
"The result at Worcester Crown Court on Friday hopefully sends out a very strong message that if you do engage in any sort of football related violence or dis-order and you are arrested and convicted you can expect a custoldial sentence and a substantial banning order which could prevent you watching football matches for up to ten years."
As regards yesterday's game against Shrewsbury the Chief Inspector confirmed it had been trouble free.
"The game yesterday passed off very peacefully and without incident which is exactly how we like it.
"There will be a policing operation on Wednesday against Tranmere. Clearly if Hereford are successful and go on to play Cardiff I think I can say at this early stage that the policing operation for that game is likely to be even more substantial."
Text at top (next game etc)
Next Game: Scarborough In The League At Edgar Street On Tuesday 19th November At 7.45pm