Bolton Wanderers played Wigan Athletic at home on August 19, 2023.
Wanderers lost the match 3-0, but it was overshadowed by a large-scale brawl between around 40 to 50 fans of both sides after the derby match.
The fight took place in Market Street, Westhoughton, after Bolton supporters walked from outside the White Horse pub and Wigan fans made their way from the Wheatsheaf to meet in the middle.
Fans were arrested on the day and in the following months and, earlier this month, seven Bolton fans were sentenced for their roles in the violent disorder, with two being jailed.
On Friday, April 11, six Wigan fans were brought before Bolton Crown Court to hear their fates.
Keiron Jones, 40, Lee Harrison, 22, Bradley Jones, 33, David Davies, 41, David Hockey, 34, and Martin Dowd, 44, were all charged with violent disorder.
David Hockey (Image: GMP) Judge Nicholas Clarke KC gave an overview of the day’s violence, before making remarks about each of the six men.
Regarding Keiron Jones, of Hey Street, Wigan, Judge Clarke detailed how he progressed with a “large number of Wigan fans” in the direction of the Bolton fans.
He said: “As you walked from the Wheatsheaf you punched an unknown male in the back of the head.”
Keiron Jones was “involved in group violence” and then punched a Bolton fan, causing him to fall to the floor before “even trying to kick him in the head”.
Judge Clarke added how he caused another fan to “fall to the floor” before he “kicked him in the head”.
He said: “(The fan) tried to get up but could not, then you appear to jump and stamp on him, ending up on top of him before others intervened.
“You yourself were kicked in the head and rendered unconscious.”
Judge Clarke acknowledged how Keiron Jones had a number of character references and charity involvement since 2005, and that he “did not present a risk of further trouble in future”.
Keiron Jones was given a 16-month sentence, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to do 200 hours of payback and undergo a curfew for three months between 8pm and 6am.
Keiron Jones will also pay £705 towards prosecution costs and serve a four-year football banning order.
Regarding Harrison, of Balcarres Road, Aspull, Judge Clarke said how he was involved in “fighting three males in a pub doorway” before advancing towards the Bolton fans, “calling for reinforcements”.
He said: “You were involved in kicking a fan while he was on the ground, you were one who was involved in significant and repeated acts of violence.”
Judge Clarke recognised how he had shown remorse and was pursuing scaffolding.
An image from the brawl (Image: Public) He sentenced Harrison to a 14-month sentence, suspended for two years. Judge Clarke also ordered him to do 200 hours of unpaid work, as well as a three month curfew.
Harrison was also told to pay £705 prosecution costs and serve a three-year football banning order.
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Bradley Jones, of Rose Avenue, Wigan, was involved in the brawl and, while on bail for his role, attended a riot at a mosque in Southport on July 30 last year following the Southport attack where three young girls died.
Judge Clarke described the Southport offence as the “more serious” of the two, detailing how Jones was seen to “push others into the police cordon, encouraging others to surge forward”.
Jones was also seen “walking down an alley” before getting a glass bottle from a bin and throwing it at the police.
Regarding Westhoughton, Judge Clarke said: “You were in the centre of the violence, running up to a Bolton fan and pushing him to the ground.
“You punched one male to the face.”
Judge Clarke recognised Jones’ clean record and his longstanding relationship with his fiancee.
Due to the severity of both offences, Judge Clarke sentenced Jones to three years imprisonment, with a five year football banning order.
David Davies, of Standishgate, Wigan, was said to have “followed close behind other combatants”, before fighting with a group of Bolton fans.
Judge Clarke said: “There was a clear attempt to punch one while you kicked out at another.”
He referenced Davies’ positive character references and his lack of relevant offences.
Still from the brawl (Image: GMP) Davies was given a 14-month sentence, suspended for two years, as well as 200 hours of unpaid work and a three-month curfew. He was also given a five year football banning order.
David Hockey, of Wyre Avenue, Platt Bridge, was said to be involved in “multiple acts of violence”.
Judge Clarke said: “You met violence with violence which was clearly prearranged.
“You were seen raising your arms in a challenging way and shouting ‘they’re here, they’re here’.
“You were there at the forefront of the violence.”
He punched and kicked Bolton fans.
Judge Clarke raised particular concern for Hockey, who had previous football related offences, but recognised his positive character references and the impact the prosecution had on his partner.
He sentenced him to 16 months imprisonment and a seven-year football banning order.
Martin Dowd, of Kipling Avenue, Wigan, was part of the group that advanced up Market Street.
Judge Clarke said: “You ran to catch up with them. You did not yourself engage in violence.”
Bolton fans tried to punch him but he “avoided” them.
Judge Clarke recognised that he was at a lower risk of reoffending.
Dowd was given a 14-month sentence, suspended for two years, as well as 250 hours of unpaid work and a three year football banning order.
He was also ordered to pay £1,000 to prosecution costs.
Concluding, Judge Clarke added: “I commend those who have to deal with such outbursts of violent disorder, not only in Westhoughton but in Southport.”
He also commended counsel for their work on the case.
Detective Inspector Tony Lunt, of Bolton CID, said: “This was pre-planned disorder and innocent people were caught up in the violence.
“The violence that followed this match has no place in football and overshadowed a well-planned, well-policed operation after a lot of work between GMP and the two clubs.
“There were innocent people caught up in the violence and that simply will not be tolerated – we want to ensure people can attend matches safely.
“These people will now have to face the consequences of their actions which will prevent any further repeat offences. This action will have a hugely positive impact in improved behaviour and reducing instances of disorder.”
He added: “We have brought these successful prosecutions following a meticulous and thorough investigation in conjunction with the two clubs, with others to be prosecuted in due course.”
