UPDATE: |Football fans jailed after ugly scenes at Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic game News

‘The violence that followed this match has no place in football’

A group of football hooligans have been jailed after scenes of chaos broke out at a game between Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic.

The ‘pre-planned’ violence erupted in Westhoughton after the match on August 19, 2023, which saw Wigan thrash Bolton by four goals to nil. At least 50 people were caught up in the brawl, leaving one man in need of hospital treatment.

Police launched an investigation, scouring CCTV and video footage from the fight to identify suspects, and carried out warrants in November 2023. This month, 13 men have been handed banning orders after the mass fight, with four sentenced to time behind bars.

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Two teenagers aged 17 were previously dealt with and banned from football for three years each.

Detective Inspector Tony Lunt, of Bolton CID, said: “This was pre-planned disorder and innocent people were caught up in the violence.

“The violence that followed this match has no place in football and overshadowed a well-planned, well-policed operation after a lot of work between GMP and the two clubs.

“There were innocent people caught up in the violence and that simply will not be tolerated – we want to ensure people can attend matches safely.

“These people will now have to face the consequences of their actions which will prevent any further repeat offences. This action will have a hugely positive impact in improved behaviour and reducing instances of disorder.

“We have brought these successful prosecutions following a meticulous and thorough investigation in conjunction with the two clubs, with others to be prosecuted in due course.”

• Stephen Ince (18/01/1984) of Marlbrook Walk, Westhoughton, Bolton, was jailed for 21 months, given a 6-year Football Banning Order (FBO) and victim surcharge.
• Adam Sayers (11/03/1980), of Coach House, Kendal was jailed for 12 months and handed a 6-year FBO.
• Paul Regan (11/10/1988), of Worsley, Salford was given a suspended jail sentence, community order and 5-year FBO.
• Troy Taylor (11/10/1999), of Little Lever was sentenced to a community order, 4-year FBO and victim surcharge.
• Joshua Nicholson (24/02/2006), of Harwood, Bolton was given a community order, 3-year FBO and victim surcharge.
• Anthony Pennington (14/09/1985), from Westhoughton was handed a suspended jail sentence, community order and victim surcharge.
• David Howells (23/02/1967), from Leigh was given a community order, 4-year FBO and victim surcharge.

• Bradley Jones (23/4/1991) of Rose Avenue, Wigan, was jailed for three years and four months for violent disorder, which included being on bail for similar offences from the violent disorder in Southport alongside a 5-year FBO.
• David Hockey, (11/02/1991), and of Wyre Avenue, Platt Bridge, was jailed for 16 months for violent disorder and also handed a 7-year FBO, including an existing one from Police Scotland.
• Martin Dowd (13/07/1980) of Wigan was given a suspended jail sentence, victim surcharge and 3-year FBO.
• David Davies (04/03/1984) of Wigan was also given a suspended jail sentence, victim surcharge and 5-year FBO.
• Keiron Jones (20/03/1985) of Wigan was handed a suspended jail sentence, victim surcharge and 4-year FBO.
• Lee Harrison (09/06/2002) of Wigan was also handed a suspended jail sentence, victim surcharge and a 3-year FBO.