- Darlington FC followers posed with a flag emblazoned with killer Raoul Moat’s face
Football followers from a non-league facet have been criticised after posing for an image with a flag which was emblazoned with the face of infamous killer Raoul Moat.
Darlington FC followers had been travelling to play South Shields in Tyne and Wear within the Vanarama National League North on Saturday, when the flag made an look.
The group of supporters stood in an alley subsequent to Mile End Road outdoors of Hogarths pub in South Shields, earlier than unveiling their two flags and posing proudly.
One of the flags carried the message: ‘F**okay Durham Constabulary.’
The face of Raoul Moat, who murdered Chris Brown in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, in July 2010, additionally sits within the high proper nook of the flag.
The Darlington followers had been pictured with a flag emblazones with Raoul Moat’s picture alongside the phrases ‘F*** Durham Constabulary’
The controversial image of the flags was shared to social media final week, with the caption: ‘Darlo away in South Shields yesterday.’
The publish acquired 618 likes with dozens of feedback from soccer followers who had been fast to supply their views on the vile flag.
One stated: ‘Raoul Moat on their flag? Vile that.’
Another added: ‘Embarrassing for the membership.’
A 3rd wrote: ‘Absolute weapons, guess they’re going to love the northern prem.’
Another commented: ‘Jesus wept, Raoul Moat in your flag?’
A fifth replied: ‘What a bunch of embarrassments.’
Moat grew to become Britain’s most needed fugitive after he went on the run for seven days earlier than taking his personal life in a stand-off with armed police in July 2010.
He had murdered Mr Brown, 29, who was relationship Moat’s ex-partner Samantha Stobbart, who he additionally shot and wounded on the street in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.
The former nightclub bouncer then shot and blinded PC David Rathband, who tragically took his personal life two years later aged 44.
Moat, 37, threatened to focus on extra cops after launching into his murderous rampage following his launch from jail.
He was launched from Durham Prison on July 1, 2010, having served an 18-week sentence for assaulting a baby.
While in jail, his former girlfriend, 15 years his junior and mom to his youngest little one Chanel, advised him that she had a brand new accomplice, karate teacher Mr Brown.
Moat had an intense hatred of the police. For causes unknown, his ex-partner falsely advised him in her letter that Mr Brown was a policeman.
After killing one individual and wounding two others in a two-day capturing spree, Raoul Moat (pictured), 37, managed to evade the police for days by tenting out within the Northumbrian countryside
Moat wrote on Facebook: ‘Gonna lose my dwelling and misplaced my Mrs of almost 6 years to a copper. Like they have not f****d my life sufficient through the years. I’ve misplaced every thing… watch and see what occurs.’
On July 3, after an evening out, Moat’s ex-partner and Mr Brown had been at a pal’s home in Birtley on the outskirts of Gateshead. Moat was crouched down outdoors an open window armed with a sawn-off shotgun listening to the conversations inside.
He shot Mr Brown twice at shut vary, then reloaded and fired a deadly shot to his head, and shot at his ex-partner within the arm and abdomen as she tried to flee. She survived the assault.
Less than 24 hours after capturing the pair, Moat crept up on unarmed PC David Rathband as he sat in his patrol automotive by a roundabout in Newcastle.
The 37-year-old former doorman shot the father-of-two twice within the face. In March 2009 PC Rathband had interviewed Moat beneath warning at the back of his police automotive for driving a van that was uninsured to hold scrap metallic.
After the capturing spree, Moat went on the run for every week, assisted by two accomplices. Northumbria Police organised one of many longest modern-day manhunts in British historical past – which included 160 armed officers.
Moat was later situated by a riverbank in Rothbury, Northumberland, however after a six-hour standoff with the police, he shot himself within the early hours of the morning. He was rushed to Newcastle General Hospital and was pronounced useless by medical doctors.
Darlington gained 4-0 in opposition to South Shields however nonetheless sit seven factors from security with 14 video games left to salvage their season.
Founded in 1883, Darlington FC has had a chequered historical past for the reason that Millennium. It was expelled from Football Association in 2012 after it went into administration 3 times – in 2003, 2009 and 2012 – and was unable to succeed in a cope with collectors.
A brand new membership was fashioned, named Darlington 1883, and moved to the three,300-seater stadium Blackwell Meadows. In April 2017, the FA accredited the membership’s request to vary its identify to the normal Darlington FC.
The group is presently taking part in within the National league North, the place it’s ranked tenth out of 24.
Darlington FC declined to touch upon the incident in South Shields.