Tenth man guilty of trouble at Sporting Khalsa v FC United FA Cup tie

Max Bradley 'threw a punch' when fighting broke out as FC United of Manchester came to Noose Lane, Willenhall, to play Sporting Khalsa, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The fourth round qualifying tie on October 24, 2015, was the biggest in the Willenhall club's history and now Bradley, aged 19, of Ashmore Park, Wednesfield, has been told he could face a football ban and even a jail term of up to six months.

On Monday, when he was set to be tried, he admitted to an offence under section 4 of the Public Order Act although denied a charge of affray.

Prosecutor Thomas Kenning accepted the plea and confirmed he would be making an application for a football banning order.

He said: "He was seen in the group throwing a punch and rushing around in the violence.

"There are nine other defendants. No defendant has been sentenced yet."

Bradley will be sentenced alongside the other nine men involved at a date after May 9. He was granted unconditional bail.

Recorder Julian Taylor said: "You have pleaded guilty on the day of your trial to a lesser offence. It cannot be dealt with today and a pre-sentence report is appropriate.

"You will come back some time after May 9, it depends on when your co-defendants can be available.

"The fact you have been given bail should not indicate any type of sentence.

"All options are open including an immediate custodial sentence."

The trouble started around 2.50pm before kick-off as hooded hooligans brawled in one corner of the Aspray Arena while a flare was later thrown onto the pitch causing the match to be stopped briefly.

Stewards struggled to separate the attackers.

West Midlands Police subsequently released CCTV images of the suspects and 10 men were later arrested and charged.

Nine of them admitted their part in the melee at the same court back in July.

Those who admitted affray were: Lee Dougliss, 21, of Brookeridge Close, Willenhall; Adam Hickman, 26, from Bolton Road, Wednesfield; Mark Hodgetts, 27, of Green Park Avenue, Bilston; Jerome Nicholls, 19, from Clarence Road, Bilston, and Steven Walters, 29, of Leacroft Avenue, Bushbury.

Pleading guilty to threatening behaviour were: Ashley Bennett, 24, from Aston Road, Willenhall; Joe Hodson, 22, of Julian Road, Eastfield; Thomas Webb, 22, from Deansfield Road, Eastfield, and Charles Mason, 21, of Pinfold Lane, Walsall. All ages and addresses correct at the time of the July hearing.