Cops target soccer thugs at terminal

Jul 26 2009 by Adam Jupp, Sunday Sun

SUSPECTED soccer thugs have been stopped from travelling to the continent for Sunderland’s pre-season tour.

Police mounted a special operation aimed at preventing trouble flaring as the Black Cats compete in the prestigious Amsterdam tournament this weekend.

They swooped to arrest six yobs already the subject of football banning orders who had failed to surrender their passports ahead of the European friendly fixtures.

And efforts were made to stop other suspected troublemakers making the trip by seizing their passports at hastily-arranged court hearings.

Ian Kenny, 30, of Queen Alexandra Road, Sunderland, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, where an application was lodged to have him hit with a stadium ban.

He is opposing the move and a full hearing has been set for October but in the meantime, he was given bail conditions meaning he was forced to surrender his travel documents.

A similar attempt was made to block Black Cats fan David Flanagan from travelling but former club skipper Kevin Ball wrote a letter in defence of the 52-year-old, of Charnwood Court, South Shields.

It said: “I have known David Flanagan for 19 years, and in that time he has been of exemplary character towards me and my family, for which I am always grateful.

“I am currently under-18s coach at Sunderland and the support he has shown towards the players has always been brilliant. He attends our training sessions, home and away games, and has travelled abroad to show support and a love towards our club.

“I am honoured to not only recognise David as a true supporter of our club, but to also value him as a friend on whom I can always depend.”