Millwall Yobs Banned From Matches After Brawling With Burnley Fans

Millwall Ban: Dennis Woodham

Two Millwall FC fans, who fought with away supporters after a home match, have been banned from all designated games for three years.

The pair were caught on CCTV aggressively squaring up to Burnley FC fans after the away team rallied from behind to draw 2-2 in the Championship fixture.

They are: Jobless Dennis Woodham, 18, of High Brooms Road, Tunbridge Wells and David Watkins, 46, of Holder House, Cannons Wharf, Tonbridge.

They both pleaded guilty at Bromley Magistrates' Court to affray outside the New Den stadium on November 2, last year.

Prosecutor Miss Lee Verner told the court yesterday that both defendants were with a third man when they had an ugly confrontation with the Burnley FC fans in the street.

“Watkins stepped into the road, rose his arms and shouted and the Burnley group shouted back.

“Watkins and Woodham approached a Burnley fan and Watkins squared up and punched him and walks away, leaving Woodham.

“Watkins then walks back and a Burnely fan throws a punch and is then pulled away by his group.

“The third man they are with pushes a Burnley fan and Woodham then joins in, throwing punches at the Burnley fan.

“Woodham continues the confrontation and Watkins walks back into the fight with determination.”

Eventually the two groups split, but the CCTV follows the defendants and their pal.

“They all walk away with smile on their faces and they pat each other on the back and cuddle each other,” added Miss Verner.

They are stopped by police and arrested and Watkins, who admitted consuming four to five pints, said: “There was a bit of banter and I put a burger in his face.

“I don't remember much. The incident was all a blur.”

The court heard Woodham was “very remourseful” and claims the Burnley fans started the abuse.

Watkins claims he is not a regular fan, but was attending “in remembrance” of a friend he found dead after hanging himself.

Woodham was sentenced to a four-month 7pm to 7am electronically tagged curfew and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Watkins was ordered to perform 160 hours community service work and pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Both defendants were made subject to a three-year football banning order, which includes not entering the London Borough's of Southwark and Lewisham during Millwall home games or watching games abroad.