Newcastle Gremlins are a football hooligan firm associated with the English football club, Newcastle United F.C.[1][2]
| Founding location | Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Territory | Tyne and Wear |
| Membership (est.) | 250-300 |
| Criminal activities | Football hooliganism |
| Allies | English Border Front (Shrewsbury Town) |
| Rivals | Seaburn Casuals, The Frontline, Inter City Firm |
Altercations with the Seaburn Casuals edit
In March 2002, the Gremlins, led by head 'Gremlin' "General" John Robson of Birtley fought with hooligans from Sunderland's Seaburn Casuals in a pre-arranged clash near the North Shields Ferry terminal, in what was described as "some of the worst football related fighting ever witnessed in the United Kingdom".[3] with 28 others jailed for various terms, based on evidence gained after police examined the messages sent by mobile phone between the gang members on the day.[4]
On 2 April 2003, about 95 fans were arrested when around 200 fans of Sunderland and Newcastle clashed in Sunderland city centre before an England UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying match against Turkey in the city. The fans then attacked the police, pelting them with missiles including bottles, cans and wheel trims. Some sources attributed these clashes to a resurgence in the conflict between the Gremlins and Seaburn Casuals.[5]
Notes edit
- ^ Nicholls, Andy; Nick Lowles (2006). Hooligans Volume 2: The M-Z of Britain's Football Hooligan gangs. London: Milo Books. ISBN 1-903854-64-4.
- ^ "Animals". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 16 February 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
- ^ "Fight like 'scene from Braveheart'". bbc.co.uk. 12 March 2002. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
- ^ "Calls that led to bloodbath". ic Newcastle. 14 March 2002. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
- ^ "England's night of shame". Turks.US Daily News. 3 April 2003. Retrieved 22 June 2008.