Newcastle football hooligans exposed

Sep 27 2009 by Adam Jupp, Sunday Sun

Hardman has two bans

STUART Watson has now had two football banning orders.

He got his first in March 2005, which expired on March 1 2007 and just two days later, he was involved in bother again.

Newcastle United played at home against Middlesbrough and after the match police had to round up and escort a number of Boro risk supporters along Bath Lane and down to Newcastle Central Railway Station.

Toon thugs confronted them at a number of points during the journey and Watson was seen in among the Magpies mob.

He was also part of a group that travelled away to Middlesbrough in November. Spotters identified 120 Toon fans, including 60 hooligans, on a train on their way to Teesside.

Watson was seen at Hogan’s pub, in Darlington, with other risk fans before the game and was seen again in Middlesbrough, where the Toon louts approached a pub where their rivals were.

He was seen talking to one of the Boro gang, saying: "Chips, bell us later, not a problem son."

Watson and his associates had travelled to Teesside despite not planning to attend the match and the Cleveland Police chief inspector who led the operation on the day said this showed he was involved in planned organised violence.

And when members of the notorious Newcastle Gremlins firm clashed with Stoke City supporters in December, Watson was linked to the trouble throughout the day.

He was seen at the Star Inn, in Newcastle city centre, before travelling with other hooligans to the Belle Vue pub, in Gateshead.

At this point police started receiving calls about possible disorder involving rival fans at the nearby Seven Stars bar and over time, those at the Belle Vue, including Watson, started making their way over there.

Stoke fans were inside a minibus by the Seven Stars and as a flashpoint neared, Watson was seen walking down the street.

Watson was given a five year ban.

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