The stats include ‘fans’ nicked for violent disorder, breach of banning orders, criminal damage, pitch invasions, throwing missiles, public disorder, and possession of pyrotechnics
West Ham United fans are the biggest yobs in British football, a study out this week has found. Using Home Office data on the number of arrests over the past five seasons – from 2020-2024 – the study found that a total of 317 Hammers fans had been arrested.
The stats include ‘fans’ being nicked for a range of offences, including violent disorder, breach of banning orders, criminal damage, pitch invasions, throwing missiles, public disorder, and possession of pyrotechnics.
Famous West Ham fans include TV’s Danny Dyer, actress Keira Knightley, ex-boxer Frank Bruno, Hollywood star Matt Damon, and former US president Barack Obama.
Over the UK as a whole – across all 92 football teams in the professional football leagues – a total of 8,251 football-related arrests were recorded over the past five seasons.
Outside the Premier League, Leeds United were top, with 188 arrests, with Birmingham City in second, with 174, and Millwall 3rd with 164.
West Ham fan Finlay Cunningham, 56, said the majority of those nicked at games were ‘not real fans’.
He said: “I can understand running onto the pitch if we win a trophy, but throwing missiles, having a punch up, lighting flares of smashing things up – none of that belongs at a football game.”
A spokesperson for SeatPick – which conducted the research – said: “Our research shows that West Hams fans top the list of shame, with 317 arrests over the five seasons.
“At the other end of the scale are Bournemouth fans, who we found are the best-behaved in the Premier League, with just 16 arrests.”
1 – West Ham United – 317
2 – Manchester United – 266
3 – Manchester City – 259
4 – Arsenal – 192
5 – Chelsea – 179
6 – Spurs – 176
7 – Everton – 170
8 – Leicester City – 154
9 – Newcastle United – 148
10 – Liverpool – 146
West Ham United fans were once seminal figures in the football hooliganism scene. They were known as the Inter City Firm (ICF) and ruthless members left calling cards on their victims that read: “Congratulations, you have just met the ICF.”
Former football hooligan Bill Gardner came to prominence in the ’70s as a West Ham United fan and a member of the Mile End Boys. He was arrested by the Met in 1987 as part of their effort to bring football hooligans to justice.
Gardner was portrayed by Stuart Moore in the 2007 film Rise of the Footsoldier which follows the life of another member of the I.C.F. Carlton Leach.
In 2005 Gardner published his autobiography ” Good Afternoon, Gentlemen, the Name’s Bill Gardner ” detailing his involvement in hooliganism and was co-written with fellow former hooligan Cass Pennant.
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