Football fans admit disorder at Birmingham City v Aston Villa derby
Jan 9 2010 by Ross McCarthy, Birmingham Mail
SEVEN football fans have admitted being involved in ugly scenes of violence that exploded on the streets following the second city derby.
Trouble flared in Coventry Road, outside Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s ground, minutes after the final whistle blew in Blues’ 1-0 defeat to city rivals Aston Villa on September 13.
James Edmondson, 20, of Worthy Down Walk, Castle Vale, Michael Harper, 33, of Summerfield Road, Solihull, Simon Makri, 29, of Marlene Croft, Chelmsley Wood, Dean Swift, 19, of Water Orton Road, Castle Bromwich, Nathan Travell, 19, of Barston Road, Oldbury, Paul Sheehan, 24, of Sycamore Green, Cannock, and a 17-year-old, have now all admitted a charge of violent disorder.
Nine others also appeared before Birmingham Crown Court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to the same charge.
Police came under a barrage of bricks and bottles as they tried to keep rival fans apart during clashes near St Andrew’s immediately after the final whistle.
Sporadic violence continued into the city centre, where traffic was brought to a standstill near Selfridges during running fights between rival supporters and the police.
Families told of their terror after they were caught up in the trouble as they attempted to leave the area in their cars.
Following the game a post-match taskforce was set up by police to investigate the trouble.
Officers studied footage from police video teams and closed-circuit security cameras in a bid to identify troublemakers.
