Four more football fans have admitted their involvement in a huge disturbance at Old Trafford which led to a Manchester United match being called off. The game between the Reds and fierce rivals Liverpool was postponed after protesters broke into the ground and invaded the pitch.
About 1,000 people had gathered outside the ground to demonstrate, with some clashing with police. A further four men are due to be sentenced after pleading guilty to criminal offences in relation to the large scale disturbance in May last year.
Lee Bowie, 34, admitted burglary. Gary Buckley, 52; Matthew Connor, 20; and Jake O'Hare, 26, all pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
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The Manchester Evening News has previously told how eight other men have also admitted offences relating to the incident.
Jake Collins, 24, of Barton Lane, Eccles; Brian Doherty, 55, of Douglas Walk, Whitefield; Henry Garside, 23, of Elaine Street, Warrington; Peter McNally, 28, Radnor Drive, Wallasey, Wirral; and Sam McNulty, 26, all admitted violent disorder.
McNulty, of Windermere Road, Prenton, Wirral, was also charged in relation to an injury suffered by a police officer. He has denied wounding with intent, but pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding. Garside also pleaded guilty to burglary, by entering Old Trafford stadium and stealing a corner flag and post worth £43.
Niall Stott, 22, of Borrowdale Close, Oldham; Aston Maxfield, 21, of Pelsall Road, Walsall; and Ryan Fox-Kettle, 23, of Queen Street, Staffordshire, previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Following a hearing at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday (March 16), Bowie, of Falside Walk, Newton Heath; Buckley, of Billinge Road, Wigan; Connor, of Heron Drive, Irlam; and O'Hare, of Chataway Road, Irlam, were all given conditional bail. The men are due to be sentenced by Judge Anthony Cross QC next month.
The protest was held ahead of a behind closed doors match between United and Liverpool on Sunday, May 2, which had been due to kick off at 4.30pm. Protesters voiced their anger over the Glazer family's ownership of the club. It also followed United's role in a failed attempt to form a breakaway European Super League in April. Flares were let off and bottles were thrown, police said.
The game was postponed on safety grounds following discussions between both clubs, the police, the Premier League and Trafford Council.
