Newcastle Gremlins

Newcastle Gremlins are a football hooligan firm associated with the English football club, Newcastle United F.C.[1]

Newcastle Gremlins
Founding locationNewcastle
Years active1985–present
TerritoryTyne and Wear
EthnicityMostly White British
Membership (est.)250-300
Criminal activitiesFootball hooliganism
AlliesEnglish Border Front (Shrewsbury Town)
RivalsSeaburn Casuals, The Frontline, Inter City Firm

On 9 January 2005, violence erupted after a home FA Cup match between Newcastle United and Coventry City. Shortly after 6 pm, several men entered the Three Bulls Heads pub in the city centre and attacked Coventry fans inside, with fights spilling onto the street. Police intelligence later concluded that the attack was carried out by members identifying themselves as Gremlins, who had been trying but had failed to arrange a fight with Coventry fans. Members of the gang were immediately arrested fleeing after being tracked by CCTV. After investigations and raids a total of seven men were charged as a group with affray and pleaded guilty. As all of the victims had fled and could not be traced, no more serious charges were laid.[2]

Newcastle United's firm have been known to have right wing leanings and are often seen at right wing demos.

Altercations with the Seaburn Casuals

In March 2002, the Gremlins, led by head 'Gremlin' John Sharp fought with hooligans from Sunderland's Seaburn Casuals in a pre-arranged clash near the North Shields Ferry terminal, in what was described as "some of the worst football related fighting ever witnessed in the United Kingdom".[3] The leaders of the Gremlins and Casuals were both jailed for four years for conspiracy, with 28 others jailed for various terms, based on evidence gained after police examined the messages sent by mobile phone between the gang members on the day.[4]

On 2 April 2003, about 95 fans were arrested when around 200 fans of Sunderland and Newcastle clashed in Sunderland city centre before an England UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying match against Turkey in the city. The fans then attacked the police, pelting them with missiles including bottles, cans and wheel trims. Some sources attributed these clashes to a resurgence in the conflict between the Gremlins and Seaburn Casuals.[5]

Notes
  1. Nicholls, Andy; Nick Lowles (2006). Hooligans Volume 2: The M-Z of Britain's Football Hooligan gangs. London: Milo Books. ISBN 1-903854-64-4.
  2. "Animals". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 16 February 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  3. "Fight like 'scene from Braveheart'". bbc.co.uk. 12 March 2002. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
  4. "Calls that led to bloodbath". ic Newcastle. 14 March 2002. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
  5. "England's night of shame". Turks.US Daily News. 3 April 2003. Retrieved 22 June 2008.
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