Two dozen Devon footie fans banned from games

New list shows latest troublemakers

Two dozen Devon football fans were banned from watching their teams in action during the 2022/23 season, according to new figures just released by the government.

The fans received banning orders that last for at least three years and no more than five.

Home Office figures also reveal that 48 people were arrested at matches involving Devon’s three professional clubs last season, although 16 of them involved supporters of teams from out of the county.

There were five arrests across the two League One local derbies between Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle, five at a National League match between Torquay United and Southend United at Plainmoor and another five at a pre-season friendly between Torquay and Exeter.

Figures are only available for competitions down to the National League, meaning only the three Devon professional clubs are included.

Nationwide, 682 new banning orders were issued, the highest for 12 years. Manchester United had the most – with 69 – followed by Millwall, Leicester City, Birmingham City and West Ham.

Eleven Plymouth fans were given banning orders, all of them men. Ten male Torquay fans were handed orders, and three male Exeter supporters.

Arrests at matches are for offences including running onto the pitch, throwing missiles, assault, criminal damage and the possession of weapons. For the first time, arrests during the 2022/23 season included those for the possession of class A drugs.

Nationally, 89 West Ham fans were arrested, putting the Hammers at the top of the list. They were followed by Manchester United, Leeds United, Manchester City, Spurs and Arsenal.

Sixteen Plymouth Argyle fans were arrested at matches last season, while Torquay United and Exeter City recorded eight arrests each.

These are the matches involving Devon teams at which arrests were made, according to the Home Office figures.

July 2022

Torquay United vs Exeter City (Friendly) – One Exeter fan for breaching banning order, one Exeter fan for possession of pyrotechnics and one Exeter fan for public disorder. One Torquay fan for pitch incursion and one Torquay fan for public disorder.

August 2022

Torquay United vs Woking (National League) – One Torquay fan for pitch incursion.

Torquay United vs Oldham Athletic (National League) – One Oldham fan for breaching a banning order.

Plymouth Argyle vs Bolton Wanderers (League One) – One Bolton fan for violent disorder.

Gillingham vs Exeter City (League Cup) – One Gillingham fan for public disorder.

Exeter City vs Port Vale (League One) – One Exeter fan for possessing pyrotechnics.

September 2022

Plymouth Argyle vs Oxford United (League One) – One Plymouth fan for pitch incursion.

Derby County vs Plymouth Argyle (League One) – One Derby fan for public disorder, one Plymouth fan for public disorder, one Plymouth fan for violent disorder.

October 2022

Plymouth Argyle vs Sheffield Wednesday (League One) – One Plymouth fan and one Sheffield Wednesday fan for public disorder.

Plymouth Argyle vs Exeter City (League One) – One Exeter fan for public disorder, one Plymouth fan for pitch incursion, one Plymouth fan for public disorder and one Plymouth fan for violent disorder.

MK Dons vs Plymouth Argyle (League One) – One MK Dons fan for throwing missiles and one Plymouth fan for possessing pyrotechnics.

Bristol Rovers vs Plymouth Argyle (League One) – One Plymouth fan for public disorder.

Exeter City vs Oxford United (League One) – One Oxford fan for throwing missiles.

November 2022

Torquay United vs Derby County (FA Cup) – One Torquay fan and one Derby fan, both for pitch incursion.

December 2022

Plymouth Argyle vs Morecambe (League One) – One Plymouth fan for alcohol offences.

Bristol Rovers vs Exeter City (League One) – One Bristol Rovers fan and one Exeter fan, both for pitch incursion.

January 2023

Yeovil Town vs Torquay United (National League) – One Torquay fan for possession of pyrotechnics and one Torquay fan for public disorder.

Plymouth Argyle vs Cheltenham Town (League One) – One Plymouth fan for pitch incursion and one Plymouth fan for possession of Class A drug.

Exeter City vs Forest Green Rovers (League One) – One who said he was a Taunton Town fan for possession of Class A drugs.

Ipswich Town vs Plymouth Argyle (League One) – One Ipswich fan for violent disorder and one Plymouth fan for criminal damage.

February 2023

Torquay United vs Southend United (National League) – One Southend fan for pitch incursion, one Southend fan for possession of pyrotechnics and one Southend fan for public disorder. One Torquay fan for pitch incursion and one Torquay fan for public disorder.

Torquay United vs Notts County (National League) – One Notts County fan for possession of Class A drug.

Oxford United vs Plymouth Argyle (League One) – One Plymouth fan for criminal damage.

March 2023

Plymouth Argyle vs Derby County (League One) – One Plymouth fan for public disorder.

April 2023

Torquay United vs Wrexham (National League) – One who said he was a Plymouth Argyle fan for possession of pyrotechnics and one Wrexham fan for public disorder.

Exeter City vs Bolton Wanderers (League One) – One Exeter fan for violent disorder.

Exeter City vs Plymouth Argyle (League One) – One Exeter fan for public disorder.