Forum

Football banning orders have been served on three men who committed offences at Vale Park on the last game of the season.

Port Vale were promoted to League One and played their final game of the 2024/25 season at home on 3 May.

Staffordshire Police worked with the club and partners to proactively police the last game against Gillingham that afternoon. Lots of previous warnings from both the police and the club were put out to warn fans of committing offences, particularly involving pitch encroachments after the final whistle.

It was really pleasing to see the overwhelming majority of fans enjoyed the occasion safely and responsibly. For those that didn’t, we have taken action and have put them before the courts, and others are still being investigated.

After pitch encroachments and offences directed at the Gillingham fans were investigated, three people have been banned from attending all football games in the UK for a number of years.

The trio who are now banned are:

Alan Watson-Jervis, 48, of Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent. He admitted using threatening, abusive, insulting words and or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Thursday (10 July). He was banned for five years.

Connor Robertson, 22, of Newcastle-under-Lyme. He admitted going onto the playing area of a football match – Football (Offences) Act 1991 and was banned for three years following a hearing at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Tuesday (8 July).

Robert Dytiche, 33 of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. He admitted the same offence at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Thursday (10 July) and was also banned for three years.

PC Tim Moss, who is the dedicated football officer at Port Vale and was at the game, said: “The vast majority of fans that day enjoyed the occasion for what it was and listened to our advice, which is why they’re now able to enjoy seeing Vale play in League One next season.

“I want to be clear that those who commit offences at football clubs in Staffordshire will be proactively targeted by us and the clubs we work closely with. We work hard to make sure the terraces are a safe place for fans and families to enjoy the game without worry of crime and other associated offences that ruin the spectacle for everyone else.”