Birmingham City and Aston Villa fans in league of shame for banning orders

Nov 27 2008 by Jonathan Walker, Birmingham Mail

55 Coventry fans, down from 66 last season, and 33 Baggies fans, down from 38. They also arrested 64 Wolverhampton fans, down from 76.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker praised supporters, saying only a tiny minority were breaking the law.

“I’m delighted the police, the clubs and the fans are working together to help clampdown on football violence in and out of the grounds,” he said.

The high number of city fans on banning orders follows a number of high profile violent incidents in recent years, including a fight between Blues and Villa supporters in Rocky lane, Nechells, in 2002, and a brawl between Villa and Baggies fans outside the Uplands pub, Handsworth, in August 2004.