A football fan who kicked out as violence flared between rival fans on their way to The Hawthorns has been spared jail after vowing never to go to another match.

Trouble started on the train from Snow Hill before the game with Southampton.

‘Banter’ turned ugly as supporters of the visitors and the home side, who had been drinking in the city, goaded each other during the journey on February 28 last year. Mr David Swinnerton, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court:

“It was mostly good natured with both groups singing and chanting but then, for some reason, the atmosphere soured.

“There was finger pointing form both sides which led to more aggressive behaviour and pushing.”

At this point Southampton fan Murrey Holmes leapt on to his seat and clung to the luggage rack for leverage while he kicked out at the left side of the head of a West Bromwich supporter.

The 24-year-old oil refinery worker later gave himself up to police investigating the unrest after pictures of suspects were published in a Southampton newspaper.

Holmes from Wonston Road, Southampton, and of previous good character admitted affray.

He was given an eight month jail sentence suspended for 18 months with 80 hours unpaid work and a two month night time curfew by Judge Simon Ward who also banned him from attending football matches for three years and ordered him to pay £350 costs.

Read more at http://www.expressandstar.com/news/crime/2016/08/24/football-yob-who-kicked-out-at-west-brom-fans-head-receives-match-ban/#rG16DZ2bo3WcpiHw.99