The following statement has been prepared in conjunction with North Wales Police.
A Wrexham man has received a six-year Football Banning Order for disorderly behaviour at a Wrexham AFC game last year.
Dean Pleavin, 30, was charged with assault following an incident at Wrexham’s home game against Woking on 11 September.
A member of the ground’s security team reported that Pleavin had spat in his face as supporters exited the stadium.
Further to his charge and subsequent sentencing for the assault, Pleavin (pictured below) was issued with the Banning Order after a hearing at Wrexham Magistrates Court this week.
The Order prevents him from attending any football match in the UK for six years.
On matchdays he is prohibited from being within 2.5km of Wrexham’s Racecourse ground and must not enter the towns and cities in which Wrexham are playing away fixtures.
He must also surrender his passport ahead of any overseas matches and tournaments involving the Welsh national sides.
Superintendent Nick Evans said: “North Wales Police and Wrexham Football Club are aligned in their views on fan behaviour at football games.
“We know that the overwhelming majority of fans behave responsibly and are a credit to the town and the club they represent.
“However, we must reiterate that anyone found to have been involved in illegal or anti-social behaviour will be dealt with in the strictest terms.
“We take all instances of unacceptable behaviour at games seriously and take robust action against those responsible.
“Football Banning Orders are imposed to prevent disorder and/or violence at games and are a strong deterrent.
“As a Force, we work collaboratively with the United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) and fully support their efforts to reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and disorder at football events.
“As such we will continue to work with all relevant agencies to enforce these orders where necessary, whether it occurs at home or away games.
“Disorderly behaviour in and around football grounds will not be tolerated.”
This case follows a three-year banning order issued to a 28-year-old man for unacceptable behaviour at an away match against King’s Lynn on 13 November, 2021.
Wrexham AFC CEO, Fleur Robinson, said: “This sort of behaviour will never be acceptable, people who behave in this way are not supporters and we can only reiterate that anybody engaging in any unacceptable behaviour at the Racecourse Ground will be dealt with as strictly as possible.
“The length of this latest football ban sends a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated. I would like to thank North Wales Police for their work in getting a very positive result.
“We will continue to work with our match-day security team, and with North Wales Police, to ensure such behaviour is dealt with appropriately, and that watching Wrexham – home and away – continues to be an inclusive, and welcoming environment.
“Our supporters are magnificent and continue to turn up in such incredible numbers both at the Racecourse Ground and on the road – all at the Football Club are proud of your fantastic support.”