More than eight times as many Burnley fans were banned from grounds and arrested over football-related incidents than fans of Blackburn Rovers, new figures have revealed.

A total of 36 football banning orders were in place for fans of the two clubs at the end of last season – with five times as many Burnley supporters banned than Rovers fans.

Of the six banning orders in place at Ewood Park, two were issued during the 2021-22 season.

While 17 of the 30 banning orders in place at Burnley's Turf Moor were issued during last season which saw Burnley relegated from the Premier League.

The latest figures from Lancashire Police show there were also 58 football-related arrests of fans across both clubs last season - the most since the 2014/15 season, when such figures were first available.

Of these, 23 were of Rovers fans, with the most common offence being public disorder, for which there were 10 arrests, while 35 were of Burnley fans with the most common offence being the throwing of missiles, for which there were 18 arrests.

Football banning orders are given to those who commit certain offences within a stadium, travelling to or from a game, or are crimes that are deemed to be football-related

If issued, the fan cannot go to any football match within the UK, and has to surrender their passport when a national game is played outside of the country.

The rises reflect a worrying national picture in football, with football-related arrests up by 59 per cent as fans returned en masse to football grounds during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the game struggled with pitch invasions, fans throwing missiles, hate crimes and drug use in the stands.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “Anyone who commits a criminal offence either outside or inside a football ground can expect to face the consequences of their actions.

“We will continue to take positive action, working closely with the football clubs and the Crown Prosecution Service, to make sure that football is a safe environment for the overwhelming majority of supporters who just want to enjoy the game.”

Thirteen of the 17 banning orders given to Burnley fans last season followed an incident of disorder which took place on September 18, 2021, during the club's game against Arsenal.

The incident occurred in the Cricket Field Stand at Turf Moor part-way through the game and saw bottles and wooden seats thrown between the two groups of fans.

No injuries were reported by fans, though a steward reported being hit.

Following a public appeal for information, a number of fans were identified.

Between February 22 and May 17, thirteen Burnley fans received banning orders at Burnley Magistrates’ Court. A further fan was fined, with two teenage boys given community resolutions.

The Burnley FC supporters who received banning orders last season were: 

 

  • Adam Corvino, 27, Ruskin Avenue, Burnley – Convicted of a public order offence - Issued with a three year football banning order (FBO), 12-month community order, fine of £50, costs of £85, surcharge of £95.
  • Joel Jeffrey, 19, Greenbank Road, Burnley – Convicted of a public order offence and missile throwing - Issued with a three-year FBO, fine of £120, costs of £85, surcharge of £34.
  • Declan Taylor, 20, Fenwick Street, Burnley – Convicted of a public order offence and missile throwing - Issued with a three-year FBO, fine of £120, costs of £85, surcharge of £34.
  • Jon Abbott, 57, Rosehill Avenue, Burnley – Convicted of a public order offence and missile throwing – Issued with a three-year FBO, fine of 333, costs of £85, surcharge of £34.
  • Daniel Luke, 29, Calder Green Approach, Padiham, Burnley – Convicted of a public order offence and missile throwing– Issued with a five-year FBO, fine of £300, costs of £85, surcharge of £34.
  • Callum Blundell, 21, Grimshaw Street, Accrington, - convicted of a public order offence and missile throwing – Issued with a three-year FBO, finer of £106, costs of £85, surcharge of £34.
  • Lucas Roberts, 21, Royd Court, Keighley Road, Cowling, Keighley – Convicted of a public order offence and missile throwin – Issued with a three-year FBO, fine of £120, costs of £85, surcharge of £34.
  • Paul Slack, 39, Kime Street, Burnley – Convicted of a public order offence and missile throwing – Issued with a three-year FBO, fine of £40, costs of £85, surcharge of £34.
  • Matthew Abbott, 26, Micklehurst Crescent, Burnley – convicted of a public order offence – Issued with a three-year FBO, fine of £230, costs of £85, surcharge of £34.
  • Miles Pemeberton, 18, Malkin Close, Blacko, Nelson – Convicted of public order offence and missile throwing – Issued with a three-year FBO, fine of £170, costs of £85, surcharge of £34.
  • Reece Jolly, 20, Burnley – Convicted of a public order offence and missile throwing - Issued with a three-year FBO, fine of £135, costs of £85, surcharge of £34.
  • Alfie Bennett, 18, Keighley Avenue, Colne – Convicted of criminal damage, a public order offence and missile throwing – Issued with a three-year FBO, fine of £170, costs of £85, surcharge of £34.
  • Joseph Standley, 18, Wheatley Lane, Nelson – Convicted of a public order offence and missile throwing – Issued with a three-year FBO, fine of £170, costs of £85, surcharge of £34.
  • William Baraclough, 21, Airedale Ings, Keighley – Convicted of a public order offence and missile throwing – Issued with a fine of £100, costs of £85, surcharge of £34.
  • A 15-year-old boy was given a community resolution for a public order offence and missile throwing.
  • A 14-year-old boy was given a community resolution for missile throwing

At the time, PC Dan Fish of Burnley Police said: “The disorder between rival fans was completely unacceptable and should have no place in football.

"It was only through good fortune that no-one was seriously injured.

“These banning orders send a strong message to any supporters wanting to engage in such violence.”

In a statement, Burnley Football Club added: "We know that the overwhelming majority of our supporters behave responsibly and are a credit to the Club and town they represent.

“However, the behaviour of a small number of individuals at the home fixture against Arsenal in September last year, was shocking and disgraceful and has no place whatsoever at Turf Moor or in society.

"As a result, 16 individuals were identified for their part in the disorder, 13 of which have received football banning orders and subsequent life bans from entering Turf Moor.

“This sort of behaviour will never be acceptable and anybody who behaves in this manner is not a supporter of the Club and should not expect to escape punishment. We cannot stress enough that anybody engaging in any unacceptable behaviour at our stadium, will be dealt with in the firmest possible manner.

“We will continue to work with our match day safety team, Lancashire Police and other stakeholders, to ensure such behaviour is dealt with appropriately, and that supporting Burnley Football Club home and away, continues to be an inclusive, welcoming and safe environment.”

In December last year Rovers handed three-year bans to two supporters for using pyrotechnic devices at Ewood Park.

It came following the 4-0 win over Birmingham City on the weekend of December 18.

A club statement from the time said: “The club has used its CCTV system to identify two people responsible for using pyrotechnic devices, which is a criminal offence, as well as a breach of ground regulations.

“The offenders are currently being dealt with by the Lancashire Police, but irrespective of any subsequent police action, the supporters have already been handed three-year bans by the club."

In March, Blackburn Rovers fan Peter Holden escaped a banning order after admitting to racially abusing Wigan Athletic's James McLean during a game against Accrington Stanley at Wham Stadium in September 2021.