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Fans charged with hurling abuse at ex-Spurs hero Sol
Marco Giacomelli13 Jan 2009
Eleven fans, including a 13-year-old boy, were today charged with indecent chanting directed at Sol Campbell during Tottenham's match against Portsmouth.
Two 15-year-old boys are also among those charged by police investigating alleged racist and homophobic abuse at Fratton Park in September, when the Pompey defender faced his former club.
The 11 have been bailed by police to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court a week today.
A Hampshire police spokeswoman said a further five men captured in photos taken at the game were still being sought.
The three juveniles charged cannot be named, while the adults are Dean Nelson, 23, of Southbury Road, Enfield; Bradley Barnes, 35, of Malmesbury Park Road, Bournemouth; Oliver Silvester, 28, of High Street, Southampton; Stuart Turner, 34, of Queen Street, Wellington, Telford; Richard Allen Gibbs, 35, of Ormonde Road, Wokingham; Ian Trow, 48, of Kingshill Drive, Deans Hanger, Milton Keynes; Keith Stevens, 54, of Portland Close, Hailsham and Joe Turner, 18, of The Lindons, Langdon Hills, Basildon.
The police spokeswoman added that no further action would be taken against another man, aged 18, from Essex.
The charges come just five days before Tottenham and Portsmouth play each other at White Hart Lane. This will be their first meeting since September and the first time Harry Redknapp has faced Portsmouth since he moved to White Hart Lane.
His former club yesterday appealed to their fans to behave on Sunday and said in a statement: "With the possibility of heightened tension, we implore our travelling supporters to maintain their excellent reputation as ambassadors for Portsmouth Football Club."
Redknapp, meanwhile, has told chairman Daniel Levy he wants five more signings before the end of the window, even though he has already spent £15million on striker Jermain Defoe.
The Spurs boss is growing increasingly frustrated having already seen his bids for Stewart Downing and Kenwyne Jones rejected by Middlesbrough and Sunderland respectively. He is now stepping up his efforts to sign Reading winger Stephen Hunt following Boro's statement that Downing isn't for sale at any price.
Hunt is desperate to return to the Premier League as soon as possible and will be happy to join Spurs, even though Reading are on course to be promoted from the Championship this season.
In December, the Irishman admitted: "I want to play my way back into the Premier League. You have to look after yourself.
"I feel as if I'm coming into my prime and am looking forward to the next three or four years, hopefully spent as a Premier League footballer."
A bid of around £5m should be enough to lure the 27-year-old to White Hart Lane but Redknapp wants to improve other parts of his squad as well.
A deal for free agent Stephen Appiah is currently on hold as it is understood the Ghana international midfielder has gone home after training with the club last week.
Polish goalkeeper Sebastian Przyrowski is set to join from Polonia Warsaw for around £1m to act as a back-up to first choice Heurelho Gomes, while a physical, target man is also on Redknapp's radar. Wigan's Emile Heskey would fit the bill perfectly, but he is also coveted by Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.
Reader views (7)
roll on sunday
- Steve, braintree ,essex, 13/01/2009 17:49
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That's it I think I'm gonna quit!!! Been a Spurs fan for 31 years and I've seen it all. The one huge mistake was taking on Comoli.
Daniel Levy has continued to back the team in the market under various managers and again is looking to do so. I've never fancied HR as a Spurs manager and it's been touted around around on occassion in my time.
But to read the names he is linking my team with - the Stephen Hunts of this world etc... does he really know what this club is all about?? We can't even manage to sign a half decent combatant midfielder with a dodgy knee what is the shambles that is Tottenham Hotspur FC!!
I think Mr Levy has made a bad judgement call on this one, in fact in all my time as a supporter I've never been as worried about the club as I am today. I even called for calm when we were beaten left right and centre at the beginning of this season BUT we are in real danger of fighting out relegation and with that sombre thought I'm carefully considering what is left to put into this great club.
As a Spurs fan I feel we are the most punished fans and this done by the very players that wear the shirt. There's no pride on the pitch these days and Harry... well where are the tactics mate!!!
The players will undo you my son, a right royal bunch you have there... but Stephen Hunt isn't a Spurs fan and beware, you lose the fans, you lose your job and that is the way you and Mr Levy are taking this club.
Mr Hunt..... no more mediocre players please!!
- Sully, Chigwell, UK, 13/01/2009 13:47
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Hunt would be a good signing, i personally would make a joint bid of £10million for him and Doyle two players with proven premiership experience. OK reading went down but they still have experience that's needed in our team.
Hunt is a tough tackling winger and can play opposite to Lennon and Doyle can give much competition to Defoe and Pav upfront.
- Jason Byrne, norfolk england, 13/01/2009 13:31
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Steve Hunt is a very good left winger.Like most wingers he is light, not much bigger than Modric but needs a hair cut. For 5m a better buy than Downing he can see things in and around the box.
Also, he would leave more in the kitty for a possible move for Bellamay.
HR was also to blame for the loss at Wigan, the centre of the park was to full of players. We had a team playing 5 at the back and 5 in midfield.
- Peter, Sittingbourne, 13/01/2009 12:36
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Stephen Hunt might not be good enough to play for a big club like Spurs in the PL and West Ham will be certainly be relegated if they sell Bellamy, Parker, Upson etc.
Zola and Clarke are starting to see the fruits of their labours now as West ham climb back up the league, though it will be interesting to see if the latest FA/Premier league "conspiracy" against them has any effect on their PL status?
- Timbob, Addlestone UK, 13/01/2009 12:36
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I can not see westham letting him go (bellamy) Even for £20million as they could be pulled back into the relegation battle which will involve alot more clubs than usual.On parker you need these type of never say die type of players, to avoid relegation.What price would you put on the club if it does go down?,not sure it would be as attractive to buy.I hope they manage to keep these type of playrs.I am a spurs fan and harry needs to get these sort of players in quickly or we will be going down as well.
- Gettingthereslowly, freeport, braintree, 13/01/2009 11:31
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Surely not Harry! A player that was relegated last season & playing in the Championship!
- Rob Hotspurs, North London, 13/01/2009 11:03
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