Officers from Staffordshire Police have visited five men aged between 18 and 24 from the Chasetown, Rugeley, Cannock and Hednesford areas to address their recent behaviour at Hednesford Town Football Club fixtures.

The five have signed football behaviour contracts which include the following clauses:

– Not to behave in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress to anyone attending designated football matches

– Not to behave in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress to anyone travelling on the rail network

– Comply with the published ‘ground regulations’ and directions given by Stewards and club employees when attending Football Fixtures at Keys Park, Hednesford.

They also enter into a commitment with Staffordshire Police and Hednesford Town Football Club not to cause or contribute to any violence or disorder in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

If they breach the contract by behaving in a way which Staffordshire Police or Hednesford Town Football Club consider to amount to causing or contributing to violence or disorder, an application may be made to the Magistrates’ Court for a FOOTBALL BANNING ORDER to prohibit violence or disorder at or in connection with any regulated football matches.

Chief Inspector Bird, who holds the Football Portfolio for Staffordshire said: “We work very closely with all five major clubs in the county, and also with colleagues in other police forces, to ensure a safe environment at football grounds. The use of Football Behaviour Contracts is a new concept within our football policing strategy. The individuals we have targeted who have signed these contracts are fully aware that if they commit offences we will bring them into the criminal justice system to be dealt with appropriately”