Dad shouted 'f*** off you sheepsh***ers' to Wrexham fans as mass brawl erupts on street

A football hooligan who shouted 'f*** off you sheepsh***ers' to opposing fans during a 10-minute explosion of violence has narrowly escaped jail.

Kevin Gough, 52, was part of a crowd of Oldham Athletic fans who clashed with Wrexham supporters in a 'bizarre' organised fight before the two teams met at Boundary Park in October 2022. Fans on both sides were captured on video punching, kicking, and launching missiles before appearing to stop suddenly, 'embrace', shake hands, and leave.

Appearing at Bolton Crown Court on Monday (October 28) after pleading guilty to violent disorder, Gough was told he had 'just' escaped prison after Judge Usher recognised the 'harm' the dad's imprisonment would have on his family.

READ MORE: Life in the Greater Manchester town with a TWELVE year housing wait

The court heard the two sides met at around 12.50pm, ahead of the 3pm kick-off, outside the Millgate pub on Ashton Road West. Prosecuting, Mr Andrew MacIntosh said a group of approximately 20-30 Wrexham supporters who had been drinking in the pub 'rushed' into the road to clash with oncoming Oldham supporters.

He said the groups began 'shouting, kicking, and punching' each other as they engaged in a mass brawl, "fighting each other with bricks, bottles and other missiles".

Members of the public fled their own gardens in terror, bringing their children with them, as they were scared for their safety, the court heard.

Video footage captured Gough with his 'fists clenched' fighting with Wrexham supporters. At one point, the court was told he approached a man from behind and punched him in the left side of his head, knocking him to the ground.

He was then heard shouting "f*** off you sheepsh***ers' to the Welsh fans before the brawl ended