Pitch Invasion Chaos After Gillingham vs Rotherham Showdown
Fans stormed the pitch after the fiery Gillingham FC vs Rotherham United clash on Saturday 30 April 2022. What followed was ugly – fights broke out, objects were thrown, and aggressive behaviour ran rampant.
Police Crack Down with Football Banning Orders
Kent Police’s North Division CID teamed up with football specialists and South Yorkshire Police to investigate the mayhem. On 8 and 9 December, Medway magistrates handed down Football Banning Orders to those who pled guilty to public order offences linked to the chaos.
James Mackenzie, 23, from Cliffe, skipped his hearing but was arrested later at a Gillingham FA Cup match. He admitted offences in court and got 200 hours of community service plus a three-year Football Banning Order.
“There is absolutely no place in football or society for the violence we saw after this match,” said Superintendent Ray Quiller of Kent Police. “With genuine fans and even children around, this behaviour was totally unacceptable.”
“Football Banning Orders, a key tool since the 1980s, remain vital for safety. We’ll keep using them to protect fans and the public.”
“Our strong ties with Kent football clubs mean we take these incidents seriously, especially when a reckless few risk others’ safety.”
Guilty Sentences: Community Service, Jail Time & Long Bans
Here are some of those punished for their roles in the pitch invasion on 8 December:
- Kingsley Dume, 25, Sheerness: 8 weeks jail & 7-year Football Banning Order
- Bobby Coulham, 25, Dargate: 150 hours community service & 5-year ban
- Keegan Mount, 23, Faversham: 120 hours community service & 3-year ban
- Charlie Allen, 25, Gillingham: 150 hours community service & 3-year ban
- Jack Simmonds, 25, Maidstone: 150 hours community service & 3-year ban
- Ben Quinan, 23, Sheerness: 120 hours community service & 3-year ban
- William Tuffin, 20, Gillingham: 3-year Football Banning Order
- Jody Barnes, 21, Faversham: 120 hours community service & 3-year ban
- Callum Evans, 21, Minster-on-Sea: 120 hours community service & 3-year ban
- Harrison Wilkins, 20, Ditton: 3-year ban, sentencing due in January
- Kai McNeil, 18, Chatham: Conditional discharge & 3-year ban
Two more denied charges and await trial; one case was adjourned.
Rotherham Offenders Also Banned
On 9 December, more Rotherham fans faced court for pitch invasion offences:
- Jake Walton, 23, Rotherham: 4-month suspended sentence, 250 hours community service & 10-year Football Banning Order
- Andrew Duke, 53, Rotherham: 8-week suspended sentence, 200 hours community service & 4-year ban
- Jarrod Allsop, 22, Doncaster: 130 hours community service & 3-year ban
- Jack Cranswick, 23, Rotherham: 150 hours community service & 3-year ban
- Alex Fields, 21, Rotherham: 150 hours community service & 3-year ban
- Colby Smith, 26, Rotherham: Fine & 3-year ban
- Lee Smith, 53, Rotherham: 150 hours community service & 3-year ban
- Liam Baldwin, 35, Rotherham: 230 hours community service & 3-year ban
- Callum Davies, 23, Rotherham: 150 hours community service & 3-year ban
- Lee Horton, 46, Rotherham: 150 hours community service & 4-year ban
- Lee Young, 42, York: 150 hours community service & 3-year ban
One defendant denied the charges and was committed for trial, while one failed to appear.
