A Sunderland football fan banned from matches for his involvement in overseas disorder two years ago has won his bid to go back to games.

Kyran Alcock, 31, of Martindale Avenue, in Fulwell, was handed a three-year prohibition order in June 2024 after an application by police.

He was identified as taking part in disorder in the German town of Gelsenkirchen ahead of England’s UEFA European Championships game against Serbia.

No criminal charges followed although a football banning order was approved by South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court only days later.

Three Sunderland football fans were banned from matches following disorder prior to England European Championship match against Serbia in 2024.

placeholder image — Three Sunderland football fans were banned from matches following disorder prior to England European Championship match against Serbia in 2024.

As well as attendance bans, it imposed passport restrictions on his overseas travel, forcing him to seek approval if his trips coincided with England games abroad.

Alcock returned to the same court to ask for the order to be ended a year early after two-thirds of the ban had been served, as the law allows.

He said he wanted to again cheer on his team and he also found matchday restrictions too prohibitive.

This included him and his family having to steer clear and not go out walking within an area near Sunderland’s Stadium of Light ground.

Alcock, who said he was now a father, also submitted a letter to magistrates he had written in support of his application as well as several character references.

In a statement, Detective Constable Andrea Sadler, Northumbria Police’s football banning officer, did not oppose his application.

However, she did urge magistrates to “give careful consideration” to the football-related disorder that had led to his ban.

Det Con Sadler confirmed Alcock had committed no known breaches of the order or been involved in any further issues.

Her records showed he was a supporter of both Sunderland football club and the England national team.

Magistrates agreed to terminate Alcock’s banning order, with Irene Lavender, the chair of the bench, telling him she hoped there would be no further issues.

In reply, Alcock said, “There won’t be”, before adding, “Thanks a lot, cheers.”

Two Sunderland fans were given five-year banning orders in relation to disorder at the same England against Serbia game, but neither can yet challenge them.