Football fans sign up to behaviour contracts

The action followed their 'rowdy behaviour' at the FA Cup away clash between Hednesford Town and AFC Telford at the New Bucks Stadium in September.

The latest group of men, aged between 18 and 24, from the Chasetown, Rugeley, Cannock and Hednesford areas, have all been visited at their homes by officers.

They have signed the football behaviour contracts which state they must not behave in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress to anyone attending or travelling to a game.

They also enter into a commitment with the police and football club not to cause or contribute to any violence or disorder in the UK or abroad.

If they breach the contract, they could be landed with football banning orders.

Ch Insp Dave Bird, who holds the football portfolio for Staffordshire Police, said: "We work very closely with all five major clubs in the county and also with colleagues in other police forces to ensure a safe environment at football grounds.

"The use of football behaviour contracts is a new concept within our football policing strategy."

It comes after Staffordshire Police made three arrests following crowd trouble at Hednesford's FA Cup defeat to Crawley Town last month.

Three arrests were made after fans entered the pitch and threw missiles during the home defeat at Keys Park. Police scoured CCTV footage afterwards.

A 46-year-old man from Wimblebury, Cannock, was cautioned by police after he is said to have entered the football pitch during the first round game. A 23-year-old man from Mill Crescent, Cannock, was arrested and bailed for allegedly throwing a missile onto the pitch during the defeat. And a 17-year-old was also arrested and bailed for possession of a firework or flare.

At the Telford game, Daniel Edwards, aged 19, of Park Road, Norton Canes, Cannock, was arrested and later charged with throwing a smoke bomb at the spectators area. He was bailed until January 13.