Blades Fans Attacked Fellow Supporter During FA Cup Semi-Final Defeat

Dale Beck

Two Sheffield United supporters, who attacked fellow supporters at last seasons FA Cup semi-final, received suspended prison sentences yesterday and have been banned from football matches for three years.

Ironmonger Dale Beck, 21, of Handsworth Grange Road, Sheffield and asbestos remover Josh Cherrill, 22, of Hollybank Drive, Sheffield were caught on CCTV punching and kicking the two men as the match progressed.

Both pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court to violent disorder at the Sheffield United v Hull City match, which the Blades lost 5-3 at Wembley stadium on April 13, last year.

Detective Sergeant Matthew Hearing, of Scotland Yard's Public Order Branch told the court: “An argument breaks out and this involves people fighting and falling over each other.

“Mr. Cherrill is seen to remonstrate with stewards then walk up the steps, approached victim number one and after words are exchanged punches this man in the face.

“This forces the victim backwards and a melee ensues with other men joining in and punching this victim. He is grabbed and punched from all sides.

“Mr. Cherrill and the victim lose balance and the victim falls face down onto the seats with Mr. Cherrill laying on his back and punching him on the way down.

“Mr. Beck is seen to run down several rows of seats and is seen stamping on the head and shoulders of the victim who is trying to stand up.

“The second victim comes to his assistance and is punched back by Mr. Beck and others join in the assault.

Joshua Cherrill

“Mr. Cherrill punches the second victim around the head and body and the victim's shirt is ripped off.

“Mr. Cherrill has the man in a headlock and an unknown male kicks him in the face.”

Neither of the two victims were identified or made a complaint to police and Cherrill claims he was reacting to being punched during the first disturbance.

Four complaints were made from Sheffield United supporters, many of whom were there with children and members of their family. “It marred the game and made them feel apprehensive,” added DS Hearing.

Mr. Karl Masi, defending both men said: “Mr. Cherrill accepts he had been drinking that day and got the coach down from Sheffield. He's a glory supporter, who attends the big fixtures and has not been to football since.”

Recorder Arif Choudhury QC told Cherrill: “It seems to be a wholly unprovoked attack. It escalated and several men joined in,”

He told Beck: “You joined in and used quite high levels of violence.

“This is, quite clearly, a very violent incident that escalated and members of the public were in attendance with their children. It must have been frightening to be near this behaviour.

“The incident could quite have easily resulted in serious injuries.”

Cherrill received sixteen months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 150 hours community service work and Beck twelve months, suspended for two years, with 100 hours.

Both must obey a night time curfew for the next three months, pay a £100 victim surcharge and were banned from attending domestic football matches and all overseas
fixtures involving Sheffield United and the england national team.