Football fans banned from attending games for combined 21 years and sentenced to over four years – Crewe

Three men have been sentenced to a total of four years and two months in prison, and a fourth man received nine months, suspended, following disorder after a football match. They have also been banned from attending football matches for a combined 21 years.

The four men were sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 18 April after each pleading guilty to affray on 28 December last year.

Grant Coiley, aged 32, of Samuel Armstrong Way, Crewe, was sentenced to 18 months along with a six year football banning order, and was ordered to pay £187 to witness services.

Robbie Ledsham, aged 29, of Walthall Street, Crewe, was also sentenced to 18 months along with a six year football banning order, and was ordered to pay £187 to witness services.

Oliver Edwards, aged 28, of Festival Close, Stoke-On-Trent, was sentenced to 14 months along with a six year football banning order, and was ordered to pay £187 to witness services.

Eliot Jones, aged 18, of Catherine Street, Crewe, was sentenced to nine months, suspended for 18 months. He also received a three year football banning order, and ordered to complete a 20 day rehabilitation order, along with 100 hours of unpaid work and to pay £41 to witness services.

The court heard how, on 1 January 2023, at around 6.20pm, following a football match between Crewe Alexandrea and Tranmere Rovers at Crewe Mornflake Stadium, Tranmere Rovers fans were returning via Crewe railway station. Spotting the fans, Coiley, Ledsham, Edwards, and Jones targeted and antagonised them into a fight, swinging belts and throwing punches. Rail staff were forced to put shutters down for their safety and parents were seen pulling their children away from the area.

Investigating officer PC Stephen Hardy, said: “The actions of these men not only put the visiting fans in danger, but also endangered the safety of rail staff and passengers at the station that day. Football-related violence in any form will not be tolerated on the rail network and I hope these sentences, along with the football banning orders, will give these men enough time to reflect on their actions.

“If anyone ever sees or experiences this type of behaviour on the rail network, I urge them to report it to us by texting 61016 discreetly, or calling 999 in an emergency, so we can act.”

Images L to R (Coiley, Ledsham, Edwards).