NME: From The Bender Squad to The Gremlins; Inside Newcastle's Football Hooligan Firm

Product Information

Later, as Falklands war veteran, father, and leading "Gremlin" John Sharp, 39, was being arrested, on the other side of the River Tyne police waited for the "Casuals". Suttle was also spotted with the hooligan faction as Newcastle hosted Swansea at St James’ Park on Saturday, November 28, 2009.

And when trouble flared, Short was seen with his hood up, leading a group of Toon yobs towards the bus containing their opponents. Officers had to draw and hit out with batons to keep their opponents in the vehicle. POLICE have staged a wave of raids on the homes of suspects linked to a planned dust-up between rival hooligan firms. Last season, Short was seen at a number of games with notorious Toon hooligans, including an away game at Portsmouth and a home game against Hull City.And it was the use of the yobs' text messages and phone calls which was to finally help convict them. Defending, John Wesencraft said: "This is a football match, not a girls' ballet class. This is what the experience is about." The 45-year-old has his own chapter in a book glorifying footballing hooliganism. The father-of-three has a long history of terrace violence, including being involved in a brawl in Holland when the Newcastle played NAC Breda in October, 2003. He was also spotted by police celebrating the Gremlins’ 25th anniversary during a day in York with some of the gang’s most notorious members.

I have lost a lot. I do regret losing my daughter, I have not seen her since she was three and she’s 25 now. All she knows about me is that I’m a football hooligan.”

And in September 2002, he was one of 30 Toon louts in attendance following trouble before a United UEFA Cup game with Feyenoord. The evidence gathered during Operation Crusade helped the prosecution, which led to 30 of the hooligans being convicted or pleading guilty to their part in the violence. A 140-strong mob made the trip to York to celebrate the Gremlins’ 25th anniversary last year on Saturday, September 4. Staff at Newcastle’s Three Bulls Head pub took cover as the thugs began to punch bystanders and the violence spread to the street.

November 2002 - Spotted boozing and chanting offensive songs with known hooligans in advance of match with Feyenoord in Holland.

Members of the Gremlins group are seen drinking in Rafferty’s pub, on Pink Lane. Suttle was among the group and was joined by Mennim, Stephen Hird and Bryan Heron. The faction make their way to the Seven Stars pub in a fleet of 22 taxis. Once again they sped there but couldn't find their rivals and so the decision was taken to head across the river where they were told the Gremlins were lying in wait.