Retford football fan fined for racist song

A Retford football fan was fined after train travellers filmed him singing a racist chant on the return journey from a Sheffield Wednesday match.
Mansfield Magistrates CourtMansfield Magistrates Court
Mansfield Magistrates Court

Stephen Mark Sheridan, 52, of Whitehall Court, admitted racially aggravated harassment on March 5 as he returned to Retford from the game against Rotherham.

Sanjay Jerath, prosecuting, said: “He had been drinking from 10am onwards and was filmed by two witnesses chanting a racist song.”

Sheridan, who has a previous conviction for a public order offence at a football match from 1989, told the court: “I am very ashamed of my behaviour. It is completely out of character.

“I was getting carried away when I should have known better. I apologise to anyone who was offended.

“It wasn’t meant to be a racial slur. It’s a song that has been sung for years.”

He was fined £280 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £28 and £85 costs.