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Gillingham supporter Billy Smallman banned from all football matches after assaulting Cheltenham steward

Billy Smallman has been banned from football matches for three years
Billy Smallman has been banned from football matches for three years

A Gills supporter has been banned from going to football matches after admitting assaulting a steward at an away match.

Billy Smallman, 23, was charged with causing actual bodily harm to the steward at the Cheltenham v Gillingham match on Saturday, April 13.

Smallman, of Littlebourne Avenue, Gillingham, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court, where he admitted the charge.

Magistrates gave him a three-year Football Banning Order, which bans him from going to Priestfield stadium in Gillingham, or any other football club above Blue Square South level for that period.

Smallman was also ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community, pay the steward £100 compensation and £85 court costs.

Smallman is the fourth Gills fan this season to be banned from going to matches.

Ryan Kelly, 27, of Trafalgar Street, Gillingham, and Leon Cooper, 27, of Linden Road, Gillingham, were charged after going on to the pitch during the Accrington Stanley game on Saturday, March 23.

Priestfield Stadium
Priestfield Stadium

The two men both admitted going on to a playing area under Section 4 of the Football Offences Act, in court in April and were handed Football Banning Orders which prevent them going to football matches for three years. They were also each ordered to pay £170 fines and £42.50 court costs.

Their case followed a ban for Joshua Sanders, 17, who ran on to the pitch and assaulted the Wycombe goalkeeper during a game in February.

He has been banned from all football grounds for five years.

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