Superfan is facing a ground ban

 He was once hailed as one of Wolves’ biggest supporters – even from the day he was born his future as a superfan was already on the cards.

Mark Hodgetts’ Wolves-mad parents gave him 17 middle names after a famous promotion-winning side, and he would only answer to the name Wolfie.  But today he was labelled a hooligan by police as he appeared before a court where he faced being hit with a football banning order. Hodgetts, aged 19, was one of four facing applications by West Midlands Police.

Officers are requesting pioneering civil bans, which can stop thugs from going anywhere near grounds on match days for several years.

The powers allow police to share their intelligence and knowledge of a thug to persuade the court that they pose a risk to genuine fans.

They can be granted even if a supporter has no previous convictions.

Also before the court was Walsall fan and part-time law student Matthew Lovatt, of Rowley Street, Chuckery.

The 25-year-old was given a three year ban in 2004 over violent scenes with Crystal Palace fans at the town’s market.

Lovatt and others were said to have waved planks of wood at a 40-strong gang of away supporters. But today he told the court he was a changed man and had settled down with his family.

Hodgetts, of Millington Road, Low Hill, also denied the allegations against him when he appeared before Solihull Magistrates Court.

He hit the headlines in 1989 when his Wolves-crazy dad Christopher registered his birth. His full name is Mark Vince Gary Nicky Andy Floyd Ally Phil Keith Nigel Mick Steve Andy Robbie Tim Graham Barry Paul Hodgetts – after the 1988-89 team which won the Third Division title under boss Graham Turner to complete back-to-back promotions.

Today he gave his name in court as Mark Vince Gary Hodgetts. He said two of the incidents he was allegedly involved in were “rubbish” because they had nothing to do with football. 

“The people who the fight was with, I know them. The other one had nothing to do with football, it was a night on the town,” he said.

Wolves fans Robert Worsey, of Princess Court, Fallings Park, and Nigel Bennett, of Durham Road, Rowley Regis, also face trial in September but were not in court today.

All four, who have been targeted by the Operation Puma police blitz on football thuggery, face trials in September .