Four are banned from all AFC Telford home games

Four soccer fans have been banned by club authorities from all AFC Telford United home games after ground trouble which broke out at recent matches.

The football club has taken action after recent unpleasant incidents, especially Tuesday's game at Stafford, and said today the bans would take immediate effect.

A statement said: "The club takes the safety and security of its supporters very seriously.

"We have invested much time, effort and money into ensuring that football fans can watch football at the New Bucks Head in a safe environment.

"We have also, on many occasions, gone to extra lengths to do our best to ensure that our supporters can travel to and from away matches in safety.

"As a result of recent incidents at our games against Nuneaton and Stafford, the club have become concerned that the safety of our spectators is being affected by the actions of a minority of individuals.

"We are also aware that there has been an increase in incidents, including the activation of smoke devices, at non league games and this is being monitored very closely in partnership with the UK Football Policing Unit.

"We take this extremely seriously and have reviewed our operations accordingly.

"We have today issued four bans which will run indefinitely and will take immediate effect.

"The bans cover the ground and land or facilities owned by the club.

"Individuals that intend on coming to the New Bucks Head to involve themselves in activities that could potentially compromise the safety of the public should refrain from doing so.

"They risk costing our community club thousands of pounds in additional costs and are causing untold damage to our reputation."