Police have secured a five-year Banning Order against the ringleader of a group of football hooligans involved in disorder at matches in Bradford.
Callum Ellis, 19, of Tarnhill Mews, West Bowling, Bradford, was given the order by Leeds magistrates for his part in a number of incidents involving the hooligan faction known as the ‘Young Bradford Ointment’.
Ellis was caught on CCTV at the front of a crowd of Bradford fans who invaded the pitch at Valley Parade to confront away supporters after the final match of last season, against Northampton.
The incident marred the club’s efforts to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Bradford fire disaster.
Ellis was also heavily involved in disorder and threatening behaviour towards Chesterfield fans at Bradford’s Forster Square train station last September.
He was also found to have hired a coach to take members of the Young Bradford Ointment to an away game at Lincoln in January.
Officers in West Yorkshire Police’s Football Banning Order Unit also presented evidence of his involvement in disorder and threatening behaviour at other fixtures over the last two years, along with information from his Facebook page where he declares he ‘loves football violence’.
Ellis was given a lifetime ban by Bradford City, prohibiting him from entering Valley Parade and all locations associated with the club, following the disorder after the Northampton fixture. He had previously been subject of shorter bans from the club.
Chief Superintendent Mark Milsom, head of West Yorkshire Police’s Football Banning Order Unit, said: “People like this are not football fans, and our officers are committed to ensuring they do not have the opportunity to spoil events for true supporters.
“The actions of Bradford City show how committed they are to keeping football trouble-free and ensuring supporters who attend their matches are safe, and we will always work alongside clubs to ensure this happens.”
Five years is the maximum length of a Football Banning Order.
Under the terms of the order, Ellis is banned from attending any matches in England and Wales for the next five years. He must not be within a mile radius of Valley Parade or Forster Square station on match days three hours prior to kick off and three hours after.
After the case Bradford City’s facilities manager, David Dowse, said: “We are delighted this action has been taken. The length of ban justifies our determination to stamp out hooliganism in our sport.”
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