Seven football thugs who brought violence and disorder to the streets of Wolverhampton have been banned from almost all league games in the UK and Europe.

The men, all from Liverpool, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday for sentencing after admitting affray during an earlier hearing. The trouble erupted following the match between Wolves and Everton on March 27 last year.

All seven were all issued with prohibition orders  banning them from attending any league games other than Everton FC home games at Goodison Park.

Five were given suspended sentences and ordered to complete unpaid work and pay costs.

Two other men who were under 18 at the time were given rehabilitation orders. The court was shown CCTV footage of the moment the men confronted Wolves supporters outside the

Feathers pub, in Molineux Street, shortly after the match, which ended goalless.

Phillip Boggild, aged 20, of Brownmoor Lane, Crosby, Liverpool, sparked the ugly scenes after launching verbal abuse at Wolves fans.

The violence, which lasted around one minute, quickly escalated.

Glasses and bottles were thrown and one of the Liverpool gang, who cannot be named for legal reasons, threw a traffic cone at the Wolves supporters. Scott Peterson, aged 20, from Hallville Road, Liverpool, and John Davies, aged 18, from Balmoral Way, Prescot, also threw traffic cones.

Stephen Hayes, aged 23, of Ritherup Lane, Rainhill, Merseyside, Luke McLoughlin, aged 22, of The Orchard, Huyton, and Ryan Quinn, 19, of Blue Ball Lane, Huyton, were also charged with affray.

Mr Warren Stanier, prosecuting, said the drama started after the group inadvertently found the Wolves supporters on their way  to the coach.

Lawyers for all seven men argued the incident was short-lived, not pre-planned and resulted in no serious injury or damage.

Phillip Boggild was sentenced to six months in a young offenders institution, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work and to pay costs of £250.

Luke McLoughlin was given eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 180 hours’ unpaid work and costs totally £250.

Stephen Hayes received eight months’ detention, suspended for 18 months, with 180 hours of unpaid work and costs of £250.

Scott Peterson, was given six months in prison, 150 hours work and costs of £250.

Ryan Quinn was sentenced to eight months detention suspended for 18 months, 180 hours unpaid work and £250 costs.

John Davies was given a rehabilitation order with 150 hours unpaid work, as was a 17-year-old who cannot be named.