Wolves fans on trial after away supporter left with fractured skull

The six men, aged between 18 and 40, were seen on CCTV at the game and were allegedly involved in scuffles between police and sets of Wolves supporters.

The videos, shown to Wolverhampton Crown Court, sees the group before the match walking towards Leeds fans on the concourse outside Molineux.

One incident after the match left an away supporter with a fractured skull after fighting broke out on Stafford Street outside the Hogs Head pub.

The men are alleged to have been involved in football-related trouble after the match against Leeds on February 9 last year.

Jordan Banks, 18, of Peach Road, Willenhall, Ricky Bates, 27, of Church Street, Tipton, Benjamin Richardson, 26, of Pebble Close, Stourbridge, Ryan Richardson, 30, of Ambleside Close, Bradley, Nicholas Smith, 40, of Alder Road, Wednesbury, and Nicholas Ward, 39, of Foxwood Road, Birchmoor, in Tamworth, all deny affray.

Mr Bernard Linneman, prosecuting, said: "The first incident happened just after 1.30pm on Lichfield Street.

"There is a pub called The Moon Under Water and there were a number of Leeds United fans coming from the railway station that way.

"There were Wolves supporters in that pub and they came out and started shouting at the Leeds supporters in a way that made it clear they wanted to provoke a fight.

"Benjamin Richardson was spoken to by police but when he moved away he began shouting "come on" which in the context can only mean one thing."

The group of Wolves fans were also involved in an incident where Leeds fans coming out of the subway by the ground were confronted by a large number of home supporters, Mr Linnemann said.

He told the court that some fighting had broken out at the mouth of the subway.

Banks, Bates, Ryan Richardson and Smith also pleaded not guilty to a second charge of affray.

That related to an incident after the game, Mr Linnemann said, where a Leeds fan was left with a fractured skull after being knocked out following a brawl.

He added: "The purpose of that is not to say that any of these defendants were responsible for this injury, but the purpose is to show what can happen if you do involve yourself in threatening or engaging in violence."

The CCTV showed to the jury had a red ring around each defendant to show their part in the trouble.

They could be seen to tussle with police officers and groups of fans were split by a cordon of officers, and could also be seen to shout and sing songs at the Leeds fans.

The game resulted in a 2-2 draw after Wolves defender Danny Batth scored a late equaliser.

The trial, which is expected to last at least two weeks, continues.