Videos emerge as police make nine arrests after Hartlepool v York game

Videos emerge on social media as police reportedly make nine arrests after the Hartlepool United v York City game on Saturday afternoon.

There were pleas from clubs and Cleveland Police leading up to the National League fixture not to end in disorder as it did 14 months ago.

This time around, it seems there was more trouble, and now the footage has come to light, York City fans are calling on York City Supporters’ Trust to issue a statement.

Corrupt to the core #ycfc pic.twitter.com/4pYy7XnbSO

— Will Flatt (@wflatt1) March 1, 2025

Cleveland police at it again , corrupt 🤦 pic.twitter.com/TdTcdh22Is

— Finlay Bayston (@FinlayB46153) March 1, 2025

Eight away fans and one home fan were handcuffed and taken away by officers, Cleveland Police confirmed. One was arrested before making it into the ground.

Police officers removed some York fans from the away end about 15 minutes into the game.

Two fans had been arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, one on suspicion of possessing a pyrotechnic or flare, another on suspicion of trying to enter the ground while intoxicated, and one on suspicion of a homophobic public order offence.

The Northern Echo report that four more were arrested at the train station, with the British Transport Police, as well as both clubs also being contacted for further information.

POLICE STATEMENT (PRE-MATCH):

This afternoon (Saturday 1 March 2025) Hartlepool United FC will host York City FC at Victoria Park with kick off at 3pm.

Prior to the match starting there will be a policing presence at the stadium, the Marina, Hartlepool train station and around the town centre.

This presence will continue throughout the match and when it finishes to protect and ensure the safety of everyone attending and to respond to reports of disorder that could take occur.

A dispersal order is in place to help support the policing operation to reduce disorder and anti-social behaviour.

Anyone committing criminality can be dispersed from the area immediately and if they return, can be arrested.

The notice will be in place from 8am on Saturday 1 March until 11.59pm on Sunday 2 March.

Superintendent Paul Richardson, overseeing the policing operation for Cleveland Police, said: “We have been working closely with Hartlepool United FC, York City FC, York City Supporters Society Ltd and other partners in a bid to ensure the safety of everyone attending the game and visiting Hartlepool.

“While most people have the intention of coming to the match simply to enjoy it and have a good day out before going home without intending on causing trouble, we will have officers present to provide that reassurance and to detain and disrupt anyone who does cause disorder. We have powers in place to respond quickly on the day and in the long term can look to issue football banning orders.

“There is also a dispersal order in place to help reduce anti-social behaviour and violence that could take place as well as increase public safety.”

There will be searches by stewards on entry to the stadium for drugs and pyrotechnics, and anything found will be seized.

Anyone who has information relating to disorder or criminality associated with football and the Hartlepool United v York City match is encouraged to report it to Cleveland Police on 101.

If reticent to come forward, you can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visiting their website.

JOINT STATEMENT FROM HARTLEPOOL AND YORK:

We would like to issue the below statement on behalf of both Hartlepool United and York City ahead of Saturday’s National League fixture.

Football is built on passion, loyalty, and the shared experiences of supporters, and Saturday’s game between Hartlepool United and York City should be no different. We want this fixture to be remembered for what happens on the pitch, not off it.

Hartlepool United, York City FC and York City Supporters Trust, have worked closely and will continue to do so with Cleveland Police and North Yorkshire Police to ensure a safe and enjoyable match-day experience for everyone.

Matchday Arrangements & Key Information for Supporters
To help ensure a smooth and enjoyable match-day, the following measures have been put in place:

Designated Away Supporter Pubs & Route from the Station
Away fans are welcome at The Jackson Wharf (TS24 0XN) and Rosie’s (TS24 0UJ). These are the only venues allowing away supporters. Pubs in Church Square and Church Street will not be admitting away fans. A recommended route from Hartlepool train station to The Jackson Wharf and Rosie’s has been mapped out, and we encourage supporters to follow this path. A map of the suggested route will be provided to assist fans in navigating the area.

The Centenary Bar will also be open to both sets of supporters on Clarence Road from 1:30pm, with happy hour straight after full time between 5pm and 6pm.

Away Supporter Escort to the Stadium
An escort to the stadium will leave Rosie’s at 14:00, stopping at Jackson Wharf at 14:15 to collect additional supporters before heading directly to the ground.

Dispersal Order in Place
A public order dispersal zone will be enforced across Hartlepool town centre from 8:00 AM on Saturday, March 1st, until Midnight on Sunday, March 2nd.Anyone engaging in anti-social behaviour may be ordered to leave the area, and failure to comply could result in arrest.

Potential Hold-Back at Full Time
If necessary, York City supporters may be held inside the stadium for a short period (10–15 minutes) after full-time. This will only be used as a precautionary measure to prevent disorder. Cleveland Police have assured us that fans will not miss the 17:53 train back to York. If a holdback is required, this will be communicated via the stadium tannoy and stewards.

A United Call for Respect & Responsibility
We all want a memorable and competitive game, full of passion and energy. By supporting responsibly, respecting each other, and following match-day guidance, we can ensure that everyone has a positive experience.

We thank all supporters for their cooperation and look forward to a great match.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Twitter users gave their reaction after videos emerge as police make nine arrests following the Hartlepool v York game on Saturday…

@YfrontFanzine: Send any image evidence to the club and hopefully they make a stand on the York fans behalf. We go all over the country with no bother and yet if we play up at Hartlepool there is trouble at the station. At this point fans are just wanting to go home. #ycfc

@YorvikRed: @YorkCityFC @UgglaAnne29485 @matt_uggla @ClevelandPolice How has this happened again? This needs a thorough investigation! Police are once again treating our fans like livestock and it needs to stop. Is it just York fans they target like this? VILE #ycfc

@TS_Minstermen: I think @ClevelandPolice have some serious questions to answer here… Twice now, we’ve witnessed their officers engaging in unnecessary aggression towards our supporters—something we haven’t encountered anywhere else. It raises serious concerns about their approach to policing and their attitude toward those they are meant to protect. Incidents like this do nothing but damage trust and bring their force into disrepute.

@fisherjon10: York fans travel in good numbers every fortnight and there’s never any issues. And yet every single year at Hartlepool this happens. There’s one constant @ClevelandPolice

@George_ycfc: Nothing new just bullies

@benmcmorris03: Stop being rarfs then #hufc

@sam_elsegood: @ClevelandPolice you’re embarrassing

@matty_ycfc: Live by their own law

@gazdicko1: Sticking a lovely knee in

@Chloe__Watson_: 6 Hartlepool fans try to get on the train to York. Could’ve been easily stopped from going over the bridge to the platform. But no, Cleveland police targeted York fans that tried to stop them getting on the train.

@Wilflif3: Disgrace that

@carlsmith316: Absolute disgrace

@Pools1908: We get this every other week. Just thank your lucky stars you have to meet them once a year

@1908pools: Crazy massive overreaction after last season, still doesn’t shock me seen it enough times.

@MartinVardy6: How the fuck do @ClevelandPolice even get away with this? Total thuggery, if it wasn’t for you, nothing would have happened. Made everything about you. Arseholes

@JPGarvin1994: Genuinely comes as no surprise if this Cleveland police. They are the worst of the worst. Individuals that work for them are complete cunts to put it bluntly.

@rmf80: We travel the county with #ycfc these scenes have not been seen anywhere else in the last 12 months. In fact the last time we saw this was at Hartlepool. @ClevelandPolice really need to ask them selves why would it only happen here?Your police tactics belong in the 80’s 🤬

@NicoYork: Unreal. 3 times the numbers at Halifax and no bother at all, get @ClevelandPolice involved and this is what happens….#ycfc

@ycfc_connor: this is actually a joke at this point 2200+ fans at Halifax, absolutely no problems and the police laughing with all fans. It’s obvious these lot are the problem, genuinely a concern at this point. Hope everyone is alright, serious enquiries need to be made #ycfc

@cheapmansvest: If you’re outside the ground at 2pm in force and in riot gear you have to ask yourself if you’re setting the right tone from the off, don’t get this shit anywhere else we go. #ycfc 🔴 🔵