Newcastle Gremlins
Encyclopedia
Newcastle Gremlins are a football hooligan firm associated with the English football club, Newcastle United F.C.
In March 2002, the Gremlins 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". 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..
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 Sunderland..
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.
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
In March 2002, the Gremlins fought with hooligans from Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
's Seaburn Casuals in a pre-arranged clash near the North Shields Ferry
Shields Ferry
The Shields Ferry operates across the River Tyne, England, between North Shields and South Shields. The service is operated by Nexus and is part of the Tyne and Wear Metro System...
terminal, in what was described as "some of the worst football related fighting ever witnessed in the United Kingdom". 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
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
between the gang members on the day..
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
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying match against Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
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 Sunderland..
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.