Dover and Southend football fans fined after FA Cup clash

"Pathetic" football fans who clashed in a brawl bringing a town centre to a standstill have been fined.

Dover and Southend supporters faced-off in London Road, Dover, following Athletic’s 1-0 FA Cup first round win in November 2019.

One lashed a rival with his belt as another accidentally kicked a police officer.

A third supporter unleashed a racist chant as some 20 officers worked to break up the violence.

They were due to stand trial for violent disorder at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday, however prosecutors offered no evidence on the charge.

Sentencing, Judge Simon James said: “They will have to suffer a financial penalty for their stupidity that day. Frankly, as grown men you should be ashamed of your pathetic, childish behaviour, you should know better. This match was one which was identified as a possible flashpoint (for violence) - yours and other people’s behaviour was in fact recorded by video.

“So-called supporters of two lower teams were using this fixture for confrontation and violence.”

The violence flared up after Southend United FC supporters left the Crabble Stadium in Lewisham Road and walked past Dover’s Workmans Club.

Video footage played in court showed Athletic supporters filing out of the London Road venue before dozens of men squared off for about 10 minutes. They could be seen standing in two opposing rows, gesturing aggressively and chanting insults.

As a melee unfolded Southend supporters Jack O’Brien, 28, lashed a rival with his belt as Michael Paul tried kicking another, prosecutor Oliver Doherty said. But the 30-year-old made contact with a police officer who was trying to help stymie the brawl.

And as officers managed to prise the supporters away as their aggressive chanting continued,