Friday, 11 October 2002 England ban for Derby fans

Police are eager to crack down on hooliganism Two Derby County fans have appeared in court after police applied to have them banned from football matches. They were two of six suspected hooligans stopped at airports around England on Thursday as they attempted to travel to the England match in Slovakia. The move is part of a surveillance operation by the National Crime Intelligence Service. D**** B***** and A***** F****** were both given bail after appearing at Solihull Magistrates Court on Friday. Summer scuffles A third Derby County fan was stopped at Heathrow Airport on Thursday. All six of the fans stopped are known to the NCIS. Mr B and Mr F, both from Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire, disputed attempts to ban them from attending matches in Britain and overseas. The banning orders could mean they are prevented from going to any match at home or abroad for between 2 and 3 years. Derby County fans were involved in a large disturbance with Sheffield United fans in the summer.