Police have decided to release a video of the moment a now jailed Tranmere Rovers fan racially abuses Forest Green player Jordon Garrick.
Ryan Ferguson, a 24-year-old from Liverpool, has been sentenced to nine months in prison and has been prohibited from attending football matches for a duration of six years.
This severe punishment comes after Ferguson confessed to racially abusing the footballer. during an incident at the New Lawn in April 2023, in which he directed what has been described as ‘horrific and violent’ abuse towards forward Jordon Garrick.
This led to Ferguson becoming one of the first individuals in the country to be incarcerated for such an offence.
Prior to this incident, Ferguson had already pleaded guilty to racially aggravated public order, as well as failing to comply with a football banning order under the Football Spectators Act 1989.
Additionally, he was found guilty of obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty. Garrick expressed his distress over the incident, stating that the language used by Ferguson was deeply unsettling and should never be heard by anyone.
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POLICE STATEMENT:
A football fan who racially abused Forest Green Rovers winger Jordon Garrick has been jailed for his actions.
Ryan Ferguson, aged 24 and of Barberry Crescent in the Netherton area of Merseyside, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court for sentencing yesterday (Thursday 8 February).
This followed a previous guilty plea to racially aggravated public order, being a football spectator failing to comply with a football banning order under the Football Spectators Act 1989 and obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty.
The offences took place during a Forest Green Rovers match against Fleetwood Town at The New Lawn in Nailsworth on the evening of Tuesday 18 April 2023.
The court heard how Ferguson, a Tranmere Rovers fan who was subject to a five year football banning order, attended the New Lawn after receiving a complimentary ticket.
Approximately 35 minutes into the first half of the League One game, Forest Green Rovers were awarded a throw in by the West Stand corner of the pitch.
At the time a Forest Green Rovers player was tussling with a Fleetwood Town defender.
The referee came over to speak to the players and there was a moment of silence. In this moment Ferguson moved close to the edge of the pitch and shouted racial abuse Jordon Garrick.
This was heard by a number of players on the pitch who reacted to Ferguson’s abuse. It was also heard by club security personnel and others in the stand.
The 24-year-old was detained by club security and subsequently handed over to police officers outside of the ground. When questioned by officers he gave them incorrect details and would not confirm his identity, it was only after arrest that he gave the correct details.
Ferguson, who has already been convicted for breaching a football banning order seven times and has past convictions for racially aggravated public order offences, was sentenced to nine months in prison.
He also received a further football banning order imposed for six years with the following conditions:
– On the day of a regulated football match, not to come with 500 metres of any designated football stadium, where such a match is being held, during the period starting four hours before kick-off and finishing four hours after the game has concluded
– Not to travel to any town or city where Tranmere Rovers are playing a regulated football match during the period starting four hours before kick-off and finishing four hours after the game has concluded
– On the day of a regulated football match where Tranmere Rovers are playing not to come within one mile of the designated football stadium where they are playing during the period starting four hours before kick-off and finishing four hours after the game has concluded
– Not to travel to, enter or be present within the boundaries of any town or city where England are playing an international football match during the period starting four hours before kick-off and finishing four hours after the game has concluded
– The subject of the football banning order, who currently possesses a valid British passport, must inform, in writing, the HM Passport Office, whenever they are unable to surrender their passport as required by the enforcing authority (within the terms of the order) due to the document being unavailable (lost or stolen).
In a written victim impact statement Jordon Garrick said: “Forest Green Rovers Football Club and the Bolt New Lawn Stadium is my place of work, when I am on the pitch as a player, I am at work.
“I understand there will always be a crowd in the stands watching me and my teammates play.
“I am aware that fans will vocally express their enjoyment or disappointment at a football match, but I should never have to be subjected to racially offensive verbal abuse while at work.
“I find this type of abuse grossly offensive. I was shocked at the disgusting language used against me, these are words that no-one should ever hear.”
Following sentencing PC Adrian Tuft, a dedicated Football Officer at Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “Ferguson is a persistent football offender, this is not the first time that he has breached his banning order.
“On this occasion Ferguson breached his order using horrendous racial abuse which was clearly heard by the intended victim and a number of his teammates.
“Clearly Ferguson cannot be trusted inside a football ground or its immediate vicinity on a match day. We would encourage all football supporters to report any racial, homophobic or other hateful abuse to the club, to The FA, Kick It Out, or the police.
“As a Force we treat these reports with the utmost seriousness and will work closely with the clubs, the FA and the UK Football Policing Unit to identify any suspects and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.”
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC Lead for Football Policing, said: “Racist abuse will not be tolerated in football stadiums, and I’m pleased the court has recognised the seriousness of these offences and issued a prison sentence in this case.
“We can see from Jordon Garrick’s statement the impact this abuse has had on him. No-one should ever have to experience this, not least at their place of work.
“Breaching a football banning order is also a serious offence, and I’m pleased to see that a further six-year order has been issued in this case.
“We collectively need to make football a safe environment for the overwhelming majority of fans want to enjoy the game, and anyone who commits a criminal offence either outside or inside a football ground can expect to face the consequences of their actions.”
A spokesperson for Forest Green Rovers added: “Forest Green Rovers FC, along with every other football club, deplore the use of racist abuse and language which has no place in our game or our society.
“Nobody should be subjected to the racist abuse that our player Jordon Garrick was back in April and we welcome the sentencing administered by the court.
“We sincerely hope that this sends a strong message to the individual involved in this case and those persons that share a similar view that this behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
Anyone who sees, reads or hears offensive, racist, or homophobic language at a football game is asked to report it to a steward or police officer. Alternatively you can report this online at https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/ or by calling 101.
Twitter users reacted as police release a video of the moment the now jailed Tranmere fan racially abuses a Forest Green player…
@ColBennettH4: Imagine how thick you have to be to do this on top of being a despicable cunt.
@Jimmyyy_____: All for this, should be making an example out these inbreds. Will make people think twice about doing it next time
@bristolbluegas: Good! We need to make an example of these imbeciles!
@nffckez: Things you LOVE to see
@BenFozzy_: Good job, no need for it. Big up Garrick #onceagreenalwaysagreen
@B_H_Baggie: Good. About time there was an example made of someone to show it’s unacceptable to behave in such a way.
@susinju: About time that a proper punishment was given to a racist
@tom7p: Good to see proper punishment for this
@EmJH17: Good……. #KickItOut
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